Established in 1945, San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory is the 6th oldest continuously operating youth symphony in the United States, serving close to 700 beginning through pre-professional student musicians annually in 13 full orchestras and ensembles. Through SDYS’ flagship ensemble program in Balboa Park, its neighborhood engagement projects, and its early childhood music curriculum, SDYS is San Diego’s most comprehensive provider of ‘cradle through college’ music education programs and a national leader in innovative community engagement, serving thousands of young musicians and their families each year.
Upcoming Events
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
Spring Concerts: 24th Celebration of Music Education – Ovation
VISIT WEEKEND REHEARSALS
UPCOMING DONOR EVENTS
Announcements & Recent News
San Diego Youth Symphony is a nationally recognized leader in music education advocacy and has been instrumental in the return of major arts and music education funding and programs to public schools throughout San Diego County. Our El Sistema-inspired Community Opus Project is offered in partnership with the Chula Vista Elementary School District to students through after-school music classes. Our early childhood music program, ChIMES, is offered to the public at classes held in Balboa Park and our annual scholarship fundraiser raises funds for students in need of financial assistance to follow their musical dreams.
We welcome you to visit our weekly open rehearsals, held at the Casa del Prado each weekend from September to May, to enjoy the music and witness the talent and dedication of our student musicians. We hope our site will provide you with useful information about our programs, upcoming concerts, donor events and more.
Student Stories
“SDYS is important to me now because it gives me the opportunity to learn advanced repertoire in a large orchestra setting.”
The Yandall Sisters, violin, double bass, trumpet
Learn MoreConservatory Programs
Ovation Ensembles
Provides our most advanced musicians in our flagship program with intensive, pre-professional musical training at the highest levels attainable in a youth orchestra program.
Showcase Ensembles
Encourages our intermediate-level students to participate in both an orchestra and a wind ensemble and exposes them to diverse musical literature.
Inspiration Ensembles
Offers quality foundational ensembles that develop technical, collaborative, and musical skills as they progress on their instruments.
Beginning Classes
Our entry-level instruction offers quality introductory classes that provide an important musical and social experience for young students.
Community Programs
Community Opus Project
The Community Opus Project includes after school instrumental orchestra and band programs for students in Chula Vista.
ChIMES Early Childhood Music
ChIMES (Childhood Introduction to Music Education, with Smiles) highlights one of the most integral phases of child growth and development, from birth to age 5.
Supporting Music in Schools
SDYS supports many school programs across San Diego County to help in their development or expansion of in-school music.
Partnerships and Research
SDYS plays a key role in collaborating with local and national organizations to document evidence of the benefit of music education.
