Greater Twin Cities Youth Orchestra (GTCYS) 

About

GTCYS transforms young musicians of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds by breaking down barriers to music instruction and providing exceptional year-round orchestral experiences.

As one of the country's leading youth orchestra programs, GTCYS serves more than 1,000 students ages 8-18 through nine academic-year orchestras, two summer programs, and Harmony violin instruction program. Committed to making our programs accessible, GTCYS will award $85,000 in need-based tuition and offer private lesson scholarships for the first time this year. In addition, we have expanded our Harmony violin instruction program to serve 60 third, fourth, and fifth graders at Riverview Elementary on St. Paul's West Side. GTCYS believes in bringing music to diverse audiences, and our students will share their talents through more than 25 free and ticketed performances at Twin Cities schools, homeless shelters, and care centers, plus formal concerts at Orchestra Hall and the Ordway. In total, GTCYS will reach more than 17,000 children and adults through our educational programs, free community activities, concerts, and special events this year.