Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra
The Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra, or VYSO, is a high-caliber orchestra for the youths located in Vancouver, Canada. The VYSO operates out of St. James Community Square, 3214 W.10th Ave. Vancouver, British Columbia. VYSO is a non-profit organization that performs a series of concerts to raise money for various charity organizations. It is also aimed at educating and developing young musicians. VYSO participates in many local, national, and international festivals, and it usually represents Vancouver. Entrance to each of the four orchestras is through competitive auditions.
History
The Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1930 by R. Cyril Haworth as the Vancouver Little Orchestra. It was originally directed by the students themselves until the arrival of its first music director, George Coutts. In 1938, the orchestra became attached to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and was renamed the Vancouver Junior Symphony Orchestra. In 1945, a reorganization resulted in the orchestra's independence from the VSO and was renamed the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra.[1]
VYSO Orchestras
The VYSO is made up of four student orchestras, each representing different age groups:
- Debut Orchestra, Designed for string musicians aged 8 to 11, who have little or no previous ensemble experience.
- Junior Orchestra, Provides training in orchestral skills for more experienced string musicians of ages generally ranging from 10 to 13 years old.
- Intermediate Orchestra, A full orchestra offering training for musicians of junior and senior high school age.
- Senior Orchestra, A full orchestra for advanced musicians up to 22 years of age.
Artistic Staff
- Roger Cole, Artistic Director & Senior Orchestra Conductor
- Akira Nagai, Senior Strings Orchestra Assistant
- Jin Zhang, Intermediate Orchestra Conductor
- Nicki Stieda, Intermediate Strings Orchestra Assistant
- Rick Dorfer, Junior Orchestra Conductor
- Janna Sailor, Debut Orchestra Conductor
- Amanda Hsueh, Debut & Junior Strings Orchestra Assistant
- Alexandra Sia, Debut & Junior Strings Orchestra Assistant