New York Youth Symphony
The New York Youth Symphony (NYYS), founded in 1963, is a music organization for the youth in New York City,[1] widely reputed to be one of the best of its kind in the nation and world. Its programs include its flagship Orchestra, Chamber Music, Jazz, Apprentice Conducting, Composition, and Musical Theater Songwriting Programs. Its members range from 12 to 22 years of age. NYYS members are said to include the most talented young musicians in the New York metropolitan area.[2][3][4] In 2023, the New York Youth Symphony won the Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.
New York Youth Symphony
New York, New York, United States
1963 – present
Executive Director
Shauna Quill
Music Director
Andrew Jihong Kim
Assistant Conductor
Adrian Rogers
Concertmaster
Ana Isabella España
Orchestra Manager
Jennifer Ahn
Director of the Chamber Music Program
Lisa Tipton
Jazz Band Director
Michael Thomas
Composition Director
Kyle Blaha
Director of Artistic Operations
Jeremiah Adriano
The NYYS is also a leader in classical music with its innovative commissioning program called First Music, established in 1984, in which young composers under the age of 30 are selected to write works for the programs.[5] Commissions have included composers such as David Lang, Augusta Read Thomas, Julia Wolfe, and Aaron Jay Kernis.[5]
The Chamber Music Program (CMP) provides musicians aged 12 to 22 opportunity to participate in chamber ensembles of a variety of instrumentations. The current director is Dr. Lisa Tipton, of the Meridian Quartet.[14][15]
The program uses established musicians teach master classes for the students. Past coaches have included:
Jazz Band[edit]
The New York Youth Symphony Jazz Band is a 17-member big band dedicated to studying, rehearsing, and performing jazz music. Modeled on the bands of the 1930s and 1940s, Jazz Band preserves this heritage and, keeping with jazz traditions, incorporates it into the current and emerging styles that define the genre for the present generation. The Jazz Band performs at renowned venues all over New York City including Birdland and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
The Jazz Band has featured soloists and clinicians such as Joe Lovano, Maria Schneider, Conrad Herwig, Steve Turre, Warren Vaché, Victor Goines, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Joe Locke, Eric Reed, Lew Soloff, Gary Smulyan, and Frank Wess, giving students a chance to play alongside today's most exciting professional musicians.
Composition[edit]
The Composition Program is a series of workshops for young musicians to explore the world of composition and orchestration. The current director is Kyle Blaha,[16] who succeeded Anna Clyne, four-time winner of ASCAP Plus award. The founding director was Derek Bermel.
Guest lecturers have included: Laurie Anderson, violinist,
Robert Beaser, composer,
Christopher Theofanidis, composer,
Jennifer Higdon, composer,
Paquito D'Rivera, jazz clarinet and saxophone,
ETHEL,
Nico Muhly,
Stephen Sondheim,
John Corigliano,
Aaron Jay Kernis, composer,
Steve Reich, composer, and
Kathleen Supové, pianist.