About Our Orchestras

The Minnesota Youth Symphonies (MYS) orchestral training program is modeled after the best music conservatories in the world with the goal of educating the whole musician. The orchestras perform 3 major concerts each season at prominent concert venues in the Twin Cities for audiences of over 4,000 classical music patrons, family and friends annually.

All five MYS orchestras rehearse at Macalester College—Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center on Saturday mornings September through April.

The video clips below illustrate the progression of MYS students by age and skill level through our five orchestras. Read on below to learn more about each orchestra!

Symphony Orchestra (collegiate level)

Conducted by Mark Mandarano

Symphony musicians delve into challenging literature that presents opportunities for artistic expression at the collegiate-level. During sectionals, students receive in-depth instruction on complex technical and interpretive aspects of orchestral music.

Students in this orchestra also improve their sight-reading skills and knowledge of the repertoire through regular sight-reading of orchestral literature at rehearsals. Original compositions are commissioned and premiered. The annual Symphony Solo Competition, open only to students in this orchestra, features the winning soloist in concert with the Symphony Orchestra. String seating is rotated each trimester. Brass, woodwind and percussion usually rotate from piece to piece and gain experience playing in multiple roles within their section.

Repertory Orchestra (advanced level)

Conducted by Lucas Shogren

Advanced string, wind, brass, and percussion students grow their mastery of technical and expressive playing in this full orchestra. Students develop confidence through performing a broad mix of unedited literature, while refining advanced playing techniques during sectionals and full rehearsal. An understanding of the orchestral repertoire is developed through sight-reading sessions. String seating is rotated each trimester. Brass, woodwind and percussion usually rotate from piece to piece and gain experience playing in multiple roles within their section.

Philharmonic Orchestra (advanced intermediate level)

Conducted by Jim Bartsch

This full orchestra includes all orchestral instruments. Students perform a combination of arranged and unedited works designed to expose students to a diverse selection of orchestral music.

Students benefit from small-group instruction during string, brass, woodwind, and percussion sectionals, during which professional musicians coach them on instrument-specific skills and musical nuance. String seating is rotated each trimester; brass, woodwind and percussion rotate from piece to piece and gain experience playing in multiple roles within their section.

String Orchestra (intermediate level)

Conducted by Patricia Kelly

The String Orchestra provides intermediate string players with a comprehensive ensemble experience. The Saturday rehearsals include 30-minute theory and ear-training lessons.

Students explore a variety of literature that broadens their exposure to string repertoire and challenges them to advance their technique while following a conductor. Specific bowing techniques, such as spiccato, martelé, hooked bowings, and legato are featured in the repertoire. Students improve their ensemble skills and ability to blend with others through instruction in intonation. Students gain confidence by working through difficult passages specific to their instrument.

Wind Orchestra (intermediate level)

Conducted by Nicholas Ellison

The Wind Orchestra provides intermediate wind, brass, percussion players with an introduction to orchestral playing in the setting of a training ensemble. The Saturday rehearsals include 30-minute theory and ear-training lessons. Students improve their ensemble skills and ability to blend with others through instruction in intonation and the exploration of pitch tendencies particular to wind instruments. They will gain independence by playing orchestrations with only one or two players on a part and develop confidence and artistry through their first orchestral experience.