Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra

The Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra (SRSYO) comprises advanced students, typically 12-23 years of age, who are studying privately and have had previous orchestral training. Many members started in the Debut Youth Orchestra and earned their position in the Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra through growth, experience and skill.

The Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra is among the oldest orchestras of its kind in California and has performed in Carnegie Hall and Davies Symphony Hall. The orchestra has toured in Germany, the Czech Republic, China, Austria, Hungary, Spain, and the Netherlands.

Members typically have more performing opportunities than students in the Debut and Aspirante Youth Orchestras and must be committed to a strict routine of rehearsals, private lessons, and at-home practice. Music performed is from the standard orchestral repertoire.

Formed in October 1959, as the Sonoma County Junior Symphony, under the direction of founding conductor Eugene Shepherd, the orchestra’s name was changed, in 1994, to the Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra and is currently led by Jaco Wong.

The SRSYO has helped prepare life-long music lovers and musicians who have pursued a professional music career with numerous professional ensembles throughout California and beyond, including the Santa Rosa Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, San Francisco Opera Orchestra, American Bach Soloists, Oakland Symphony, Musica Angelica, Sacramento Symphony, Napa Valley Symphony, and more.