In the spring of 1982, a group of interested parents and music educators from the East Valley area began exploring the potential for developing a youth orchestra. Their goal was to provide a challenging program of excellence in orchestral music for young school musicians through the ninth grade. The first Metropolitan Youth Symphony season was launched that same year as more than 150 youngsters participated in the September auditions. The gala premiere concert, November 10, 1982, featured two string orchestras and one full symphony orchestra.

 The growth of Metropolitan Youth Symphony has been impressive. Currently in our 30th season, the 300+ members of MYS, under the direction of Wayne Roederer-Musical Director, Lew Felton-Associate Musical Director and Division II Conductor, Karalee Hagen-Division I Conductor, Amy Bennett-Division III Conductor, and Sandra Alston-Division IV Conductor, are divided into three string orchestras and one full symphonic orchestra. Our members are placed in divisions by playing ability so that they may progress at their own pace. Members attend weekly rehearsals and perform in at least four formal concerts each season. Over the years MYS has grown to four 70-85-piece orchestras plus a fiddler's group, and has developed into a widely recognized group of excellent musicians from the Phoenix metropolitan area. As part of our community outreach program, we have two retired music educators on our board that serve as liaisons to teachers in our local schools and community. MYS provides a unique and special orchestral experience for youth seldom found at any school level, and MYS groups are of rare and uncommon quality these days.

Over the years MYS orchestras have been invited to perform in a variety of locations including Phoenix Symphony Hall, the Mesa Amphitheater, Fiesta Mall, Disneyland and multiple performances in Washington, D.C. On June 13, 1993, members of Division I, our full symphony orchestra, received the honor of performing at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall.

 

MYS orchestras now perform in the new Mesa Arts Center, a $94.5 million facility. In addition to orchestra performances, MYS sponsors wind sectionals, a recital series, Division I weekend retreat in Prescott, a scholarship competition, and the MYS Fiddlers.

Our Mission Statement

To educate young instrumental musicians through the 9th grade in the art of orchestral performance through the use of the world's finest orchestral music to develop character, discipline, leadership, cultural awareness, and a strong commitment to excellence; thus, enabling MYS to contribute to the East Valley's rich cultural heritage and create a higher level of appreciation for the performing arts.

Who We Are

Founded in 1982, Metropolitan Youth Symphony (MYS) is one of the valley’s finest youth orchestra education programs. MYS is dedicated to professional orchestral training for students. Students come from all over the Phoenix Metropolitan area and from a wide variety of economic and cultural backgrounds to play in MYS orchestras. While many of our students hail from the Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler suburbs, some are from as far away as Peoria, Paradise Valley, Apache Junction, and San Tan Valley.

Every week these students spend Thursdays studying and playing fantastic music with some of the finest conductors and music educators in Arizona.

In addition to our fine orchestral program, we offer a fiddlers program for our Division I and II members. The MYS Fiddlers perform at public and private functions throughout the valley and at our final MYS concert in the Mesa Arts Center.

What we do

MYS provides musical training for serious young musicians with a variety of performances and programs. MYS is one of the oldest valley youth music programs.

    •Setting high standards in repertoire and performance level

    •Educating talented and committed students in a professional style orchestra

    •Amazing audiences with high caliber performances

    •Giving proven young musicians the opportunity to advance to the next level with conductor recommendations