Mission and Profile

Mission

The mission of Youth Orchestras of San Antonio is to cultivate musical talent, enrich the cultural life of our community through performances and help our students build foundations for life through learning the discipline, cooperation and leadership required of orchestral music making.

Profile

Now in its 61st season, Youth Orchestras of San Antonio provides a rich offering of orchestral music, education and performance opportunities for young people throughout the South Texas region.

YOSA supports five youth orchestras, an annual two-week Summer String Camp that welcomes young musicians from beginner level through advanced and the new Music Learning Center which provides free music instruction in violin and cello to students on the West Side at Good Samaritan Community Services Center. The program, led by Maggie Raveneau, now serves over 130 students.

Prelude Strings, comprised of violin, viola and cello, provides an introductory orchestral experience that helps children develop music reading ability. Students with a few years of experience play in the Capriccio Strings. Sinfonietta Strings is an intermediate string ensemble where young players can further develop as section members before moving to the Symphony Orchestra, which is a full orchestra with winds, brass and percussion. YOSA's Philharmonic Orchestra is a full symphonic orchestra made up of the area's finest young musicians who perform the full orchestral repertoire at the highest level of excellence. The Philharmonic, Symphony and Sinfonietta orchestras rehearse on Sunday afternoons at the main University of Texas at San Antonio campus. Rehearsals for Prelude and Capriccio Strings occur on Tuesday evenings at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Castle Hills.

The 2009-2010 concert season includes more than 20 public performances at various cultural, educational and community centers throughout the city. In addition to local performances, YOSA undertakes an international tour every three years. In June 2010, students from the Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras will travel to China.

Music education is central to YOSA's mission. Professional music educators and advanced students provide string instruction in schools and community centers. Financial aid and loaned instruments are available to those who qualify.

The annual two-week Summer String Camp fills to capacity each year and offers instruction in music theory, composition, history, conducting and chamber music.

YOSA serves 450 students ranging in ages 6 to 21. Students come from 104 schools in 20 school districts. They reflect the rich cultural diversity of the area and represent the full socio-economic range of our community.

YOSA is governed by a Board of Directors of 19 community leaders. The staff includes eight full-time members and four contract conductors.