YOSA History
The Beginning
1949
YOSA traces its roots to the San Antonio Youth Symphony, created in 1949 by G. Lewis Doll, music director of the San Antonio Independent School District.
This orchestra soon came to include musicians from schools outside SAISD.
Early 1960s
The Junior Youth Symphony was formed for younger students.
Building a Foundation for Access
1974
A city grant transformed the organization into the independent Greater San Antonio Youth Symphony Orchestras (GSAYSO).
GSAYSO opened beginning strings education centers in underserved areas around San Antonio, the foundation for YOSA’s commitment to access and inclusion in all programs.
YOSA Is Born
1977
A group of parents created the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, chartering it as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
1979
The two organizations combined in 1979, adopting today’s name, YOSA (Youth Orchestras of San Antonio), with two full orchestras, the YOSA Philharmonic and Symphony.
Side-by-Side
1979
In 1979, Harvey Biskin, Education Director and Assistant Conductor of the San Antonio Symphony, initiated “side-by-side” concerts with the professional symphony.
1986
YOSA Chamber Orchestra, inaugurated 1986, also performs a side-by-side concert with musical mentors from the San Antonio Symphony.
Around the World
1985–2020
YOSA undertook its first international tour in 1985, visiting Austria and Hungary.
This was followed by trips to:
1989 - Poland, Austria, and Hungary
1995 - Germany
1998 - Australia
2001 -France
2004 - Italy and Germany
2007 - Finland, Estonia, and Russia
2010 - China
2012 - England
2014 -Quebec
2016 -Vienna, Prague, and Budapest
2018 - Canary Islands and Spain
A concert tour to the US East Coast in 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Growing Through Summer
1985
The YOSA Summer String Camp was first held in 1985.
With children ages 8 to 18 participating over two weeks, it has grown to become the largest and most comprehensive day-camp in the region.
2012
In 2012, the camp was renamed “YOSA Summer Symphony Camp” and now includes sessions for high school band and full orchestra, middle school string orchestra, Orchestra X, composition seminar, and string quartet seminar.
Expanding Opportunities
1997
In 1997, YOSA created the Junior String Orchestra.
1998
The following year, a free Neighborhood Strings Program (with loaned instruments) was offered for beginning students, moving in 2002 to the city’s west side through a collaboration with Good Samaritan Community Services.
2005
In 2005, an entry-level string orchestra, Prelude Strings, was created for younger students.
2021
YOSA Mariachi was created for students.
2023
A mid-level string orchestra, Intermezzo Strings, was created for students.
YOSA Today
Today, YOSA Orchestras include ten orchestras: two full orchestras, a flute choir, a wind ensemble, and six string orchestras.
YOSA School Partnerships provide free services to dozens of schools.
YOSA Summer Symphony Camp provides quality musical experiences to young musicians in San Antonio and the surrounding areas.