MUSIC

Boston Youth Symphony (BYS), BYSO's most advanced ensemble, is comprised of 120 outstanding players who demonstrate strong musicianship and highly advanced technical level. The group performs a wide range of demanding orchestral repertoire, led by Music Director Federico Cortese. BYS begins its season preparing new music at BYSO camp, which is held at New England Music Camp (NEMC) in Sidney, Maine. For two weeks, members of BYS receive musical instruction while making new friends and enjoying the beautiful campus. During the season, all members of BYS also participate in one of two chamber orchestras, BYS Sinfonietta or BYS Camerata, in which they explore music of the Classical period including works by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. By studying this repertoire in a chamber orchestra setting, BYS members develop specific techniques of ensemble playing and musical phrasing to a degree they may not otherwise experience within the larger orchestra. Every year, BYS performs a full, semi-staged opera and it is the only US youth orchestra to do so. Every other year, BYS embarks on an international tour. These professionally managed tours provide students with first-rate performing opportunities abroad as well as cultural sightseeing excursions and activities. In June of 2012, BYS concluded the season with performances in Austria and Hungary. For three years, BYS has performed "Peter and the Wolf" as part of Boston Symphony Orchestra's Youth and Family Concert Series and we are proud to continue this collaboration this season.