Our Mission

The mission of the Jackson Youth Symphony Orchestra is to provide a unique and challenging musical experience for young musicians from Jackson and the surrounding communities throughout south-central Michigan. Founded in 1974, the JYSO has given many hundreds of talented young instrumentalists the opportunity to further their musical abilities. We operate two musical ensembles – the Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Allegro Strings.

As a member of the Youth Symphony, student instrumentalists have the opportunity to enhance their musical skills and knowledge by performing in a full, symphonic orchestra. The JYSO is committed to providing a positive environment where student musicians learn and grow both individually and together, as an ensemble. While musical excellence and student growth are the core of the JYSO's mission, membership in the orchestra also provides students the opportunity to interact with other talented young musicians from all over the region.

The JYSO performs a minimum of four concerts each season. Weekly rehearsals are held in the Jackson Symphony Orchestra Building at 215 W. Michigan Ave. in downtown Jackson. In addition to full orchestra rehearsals, JYSO members receive sectional coachings led by Jackson Symphony Orchestra members and other area music professionals and educators. Performances are held in venues such as the First United Methodist Church and the Western Community Arts Center.

String student instrumentalists who are not ready for the level of music performed by the JYSO are eligible to join the Allegro Strings, formerly known as the Junior Strings. This ensemble performs a minimum of two concerts each season and provides students with the opportunity to gain skill and experience in the art of ensemble performance as members of a string orchestra.

The JYSO holds an annual "Open House and Play-In" at the beginning of each concert season where any interested students and their families are invited to come and "check us out" free of charge, with no future obligation. The fee for membership in our ensembles is extremely reasonable, and we offer need-based scholarships of up to 50% of the annual fee.