Established in 1946, San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory is the 6th oldest continuously operating youth symphony in the United States, serving over 600 beginning through advanced and pre-professional students annually in 12 large orchestras and ensembles.
Upcoming Events
Saturday Open Rehearsals
Sunday Open Rehearsals
Ovation Concerto Competition Finals
Showcase Concerto Competition Finals
Fall Concerts: Tribute to Veterans – Inspiration
Fall Concerts: Tribute to Veterans – Showcase
Fall Concerts: Tribute to Veterans – Ovation
Winter Concerts: 23rd Celebration of Music Education – Ovation
Winter Concerts: 23rd Celebration of Music Education – Afternoon
Winter Concerts: 23rd Celebration of Music Education – Evening
Spring Concerts: Showcase & Inspiration – Afternoon
Spring Concerts: Showcase & Inspiration – Evening
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 Program is offered in partnership with the Chula Vista Elementary School District to students through after-school music classes. Our early childhood music program 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
I wasn’t really a musician. I thought I would do sports, but after a while it felt good and I felt happy that I was learning to play music.
Noor Alramadan, 11 yrs old, cello, clarinet
Watch The VideoConservatory 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.
Debut Classes
Our entry-level instruction focusing on beginning ensemble techniques for students who have played for 1-2 years and are preparing to participate in a full ensemble.
Community Programs
Community Opus Project
The Community Opus Project includes after school instrumental orchestra and band programs for students in Chula Vista.
Casa de Amistad
SDYS provides instruments and group instruction for the young musicians in the Casa de Amistad mentorship and tutoring program.
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.
