In 1976, a junior orchestra was formed by a dedicated core of string teachers in Stanislaus County to support school music programs, and to give student musicians a full orchestra experience. By 1980, the Stanislaus Youth Symphony (SYS) was formed, sponsored by the Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO).
By the late 80’s, SYS was renamed the Modesto Symphony Stanislaus Youth Orchestra (MSSYO) as a joint effort between the MSO and music teachers from the public schools. The MSSYO was organized under the leadership of Dr. James Klein as their music director and Senior Division conductor, with Will Aprile as their Junior Division conductor. The orchestra has evolved over the years and provides young musicians with an advanced level of musical literature in a challenging environment.
By the 1990s, the now named Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) started to gain national attention. In 1993, after passing a rigorous selection process and raising a large amount of funds, the Senior Orchestra was off on an experience of a lifetime--performing at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. Playing a program of music by Schuber, Copeland, and Beethoven, the orchestra was rewarded with a standing ovation. Although three orchestras were on the evening program, including one professional orchestra, only the MSYO received such a response. Since then, the MSYO has toured in Europe, Canada, Japan, as well as many performances throughout California. They also returned to Carnegie Hall in 2002 and 2014.
Andrew Norman, giving a talk before concert in 2015.
The MSYO recorded its first CD in 1997, which includes a performance of Metamorphosis, a composition by then MSYO principal violist, Andrew Norman. Norman, now a Grammy-nominated composer, has returned to his home symphony throughout his career. The MSO has also featured a few of Norman’s pieces in their programs including Gran Turismo for Violin Octet, performed in 2012, Poem for Orchestra in 1998, and Drip Blip Sparkle Spin Glint Glide Glow Float Flop Chop Pop Shatter Splash! performed in 2015. The LA Phil also won a grammy in 2019 for their recorded performance of his piece, Sustain. Sustain was also one of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize Finalists in Music.
In 2019, the MSO invited four MSYO alumni back as featured soloists: Matthew Ennis, saxophone, Jonathan Altman, violin, Madeline Olson, harp, and Andrew Grishaw, violin. These young performers studied at some of the nation’s best academic institutions including the San Francisco Conservatory, Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, and The Juilliard School.
Now in it’s 45th Season, the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra continues to serve young musicians and their families from more than 40 public and private schools in the Central Valley. This season will open with a virtual Fall Concert on November 18th live on the MSO YouTube channel. The MSYO students and staff have been rehearsing digitally and are excited to share their music with friends and family all over the world.
