CYSO- What's Up?

Mission
The Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestras Association is a membership-based, nonprofit, nondiscriminatory organization that brings together Colorado youth of all ages to participate in an affordable, educational, professionally directed program which provides orchestral ensembles appropriate to student age and skill levels in order to foster their musical understanding, social growth, self-esteem, and a lifelong love of music. The CYSO program supports and enhances existing school music programs while expanding student, parent and audience appreciation of the finest classical and contemporary orchestral literature.

Goals
To develop musical skills and literacy while learning a sense of ensemble.

To emphasize social and emotional growth appropriate to the students’ age levels by focusing on group cooperation rather than individual competition.

To include youth of all ability levels and varied social and economic backgrounds from the Denver metropolitan area.

To support and enhance school instrumental music programs by requiring CYSO members’ participation in such programs where they exist.

To advocate the creation of instrumental music programs where they do not exist.

To bring to CYSO participants an understanding and appreciation of fine orchestral literature consistent with the age and skill levels of the different ensembles.

History
CYSO was established in 1984 as a nonprofit organization providing an orchestral experience for school-age musicians. Two orchestras began rehearsing in September of 1984. The University of Denver (DU) gave CYSO a $10,000 grant to help start the programs and contributed rehearsal and performance space. CYSO’s concerts were held at DU’s Lamont School of Music from 1984-1994 and from 1998 to the present.