Metropolitan Youth Symphony is a

youth orchestra A youth orchestra is an orchestra made of young musicians, typically ranging from pre-teens or teenagers to those of conservatory age. Depending on the age range and selectiveness, they may serve different purposes. Orchestras for young stude ...

organization in

Portland, Oregon Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the list of cities in Oregon, largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette River, Willamette and Columbia River, Columbia rivers, Portland is ...

, U.S. Founded in 1974 by Lajos Balogh with just a handful of students, it is now one of the largest youth orchestra groups in the country. It has about 500 students, twelve conductors and fourteen ensembles with multiple experience levels. The symphony accepts young musicians of school ages kindergarten through early college and all levels of experience. The primary goal is to challenge students to learn and perform music in a friendly and rewarding atmosphere. Metropolitan Youth Symphony's current Music Director is Costa Rican-born conductor and violinist Raúl Gómez. MYS ensembles include: * Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Raúl Gómez * Symphonic Band, conducted by Patrick Murphy * Concert Orchestra, conducted by Jeffrey Peyton *Sinfonietta Orchestra, conducted by Giancarlo Castro D'Addona * Vivaldi Strings, conducted by Brian Quincey * Concert Band, conducted by Cynthia Plank * Baroque Strings, conducted by Adam LaMotte * Interlude Orchestra, conducted by Nita Van Pelt * Overture Strings, conducted by Marian Gutiérrez * Jazz Ensemble, conducted by Ryan Meagher * Jazz Band, conducted by Greg McKelvey * MYSfits String Ensemble, conducted by Raúl Gómez * MYSticks Percussion Ensemble, directed by Michael Roberts Metropolitan Youth Symphony ensembles present a dozen public concerts each year in the

Portland metropolitan area The Portland metropolitan area is a metro area in the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington centered on the principal city of Portland, Oregon. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) identifies it as the Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, ...

. In addition, it serves schools throughout

Oregon Oregon () is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idaho. T ...

with an outreach music program that visits up to twenty public schools each year.

References

External links

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2011 Symphony final performance
video (2 m 50 s) Musical groups from Portland, Oregon Musical groups established in 1974 American youth orchestras 1974 establishments in Oregon Youth organizations based in Oregon Orchestras based in Oregon {{Oregon-org-stub