HISTORY OF BSYO
 

 In 22 fabulous years, over 1,900 talented young musicians have performed advanced level orchestral repertoires for the Brevard County community. This phenomenal accomplishment was conceived from the vision to expand the Brevard County Public School’s Strings Program by offering the most talented string, wind, brass and percussion students an opportunity to study orchestral repertoire with peers of equal talent under the direction of a professional conductor. The realization of this vision began when the Brevard Symphony Orchestra and Brevard Community College agreed to sponsor the formation of the Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra (BSYO). The baton was lifted in September 1984, under the direction of Willem Bertsch and 60 dedicated student musicians performed in the inaugural season of the Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony Orchestra has blossomed into a membership of over 100 of Brevard County's finest string, wind, brass and percussion players and is currently led by Conductor Joseph Kreines.  Mr. Kreines is renowned for inspiring youth to reach their full musical potential.

   In June of 1985, following its successful first season, the BSYO agreed to file a charter as a separate non-profit organization and by June 1986 was established as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Over the past 22 years the BSYO has enriched its programming to include three orchestral levels, annual auditions, summer retreats, national tours, weekly rehearsals, four major concert performances, chamber music ensembles and community outreach activities.

    After only two successful concert seasons, the BSYO expanded the Symphony Orchestra program by offering an opportunity to intermediate level students. In August 1986 this group of young musicians became know as the Strings Orchestra that functioned as a preparatory program for the Symphony Orchestra. In the fall of 2000 the Strings Orchestra expanded to include a full compliment of winds and percussion players and was renamed the Concert Orchestra. Over the past 20 years, the Concert Orchestra has grown to include 60 members and has developed into a respected performance orchestra for intermediate level students and is currently thriving under the leadership of Dr. Thomas Silliman.

    The fall of 2000 also brought another expansion opportunity when the String Ensemble program began. The String Ensemble program is a training orchestra for our youngest violin, viola and cello students who have the opportunity to perfect their talents and graduate to the next orchestral level, the Concert Orchestra.  The String Ensemble has grown to over 40 members and is under the energetic direction of Mrs. Linda Woodrich with the assistance of Sarah Hartley. Through the practice, perseverance and performances these talented students achieve the honor of becoming a member of the Symphony Orchestra.

    Today BSYO student musicians are selected by audition and play in one of the three orchestras: Symphony (advanced), Concert (intermediate) or String Ensemble (beginning). The BSYO holds auditions annually and welcomes students from all schools. Participation in the BSYO is open to all students who are members in good standing in their school's instrumental music program (playing the same instrument as with the BSYO), if a student's school offers such a program. Now in our 23rd season, the BSYO is comprised of 200 talented young musicians ranging in age from seven to 18 years old that represent 43 public, ten private and eight home schools. BSYO students, parents, board members and volunteers come from north, central and south Brevard County. This year, the BSYO is pleased to welcome a student from Indian River County.

    In the fall of 2003 the BSYO program was enriched with the creation of a Chamber Ensemble Music Program for the Symphony members. The Chamber Ensemble Music Program is an opportunity for students to receive extraordinary coaching from professional musicians and perform at special community events such as pre-concert events, corporate meetings and holiday socials. The Chamber Music Ensembles have been made stronger and more dynamic through the audition and development process and their performances are guaranteed to reflect this positive change.

    BSYO strives to make orchestral music accessible to all children regardless of their race, national origin, sex, religion or disability. Our student enrollment, audience attendance and number of performances have become strong and continue to enrich the quality of life in Brevard County community. The BSYO was established in 1984 with 60 members and today, 24 years later, boasts an alumni of over 1,900, a current membership of 200 and offers four major concerts each season. This unique program continues to thrive through the efforts of the public school music teachers, private music teachers, current students, parents, friends, alumni, conductors, Board of Directors, ambassador and the corporate community network. We hope our programs continually develop to provide the inspiration, direction and education to the talented young musicians in Brevard County and beyond.