Welcome to GTCYS

The Time of Your Life!

The Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS, pronounced "GIT-seez") provides the most comprehensive orchestral experience for young players from across the Twin Cities and southwestern Wisconsin.

Every second to twelfth grade student in the six orchestras, beginning to highly advanced, has the chance to grow and succeed in a challenging and supportive atmosphere. Festival concerts in Orchestra Hall and community concerts reaching diverse audiences provide an outstanding performance experience.

Since 1972, more than 16,000 GTCYS students have honed their musical talents and developed a sense of excellence, self discipline, and teamwork--values that benefit them after school and throughout their lives.

Program Highlights

GTCYS is one of the most comprehensive and respected youth symphony programs in the nation, serving over five hundred students in its six school-year orchestras and summer program. Offerings include:

• Six orchestra levels ranging from beginning to highly advanced
• Placement for students at all levels of development
• Weekly rehearsals on Monday or Tuesday nights--most weekends are free!
• Coachings by professional musicians from the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and area
colleges, schools and private studios
• Two festival concerts at Orchestra Hall
• Two to three community concerts for each orchestra
• Exciting fall retreats
• Side-by-side rehearsals within the GTCYS program
• Symphony side-by-side rehearsal with the Minnesota Orchestra
• Chamber music program in
collaboration with the SPCO
• Masterclasses with world-class musicians like Mark O'Connor
• Fun social activities
• Concerto competition open to all GTCYS students
• Need-based financial aid is available

Review 2008-09 audition information, apply for auditions online, or download summer orchestra registration form.

GTCYS Mission

In the conviction that music nourishes the mind, body, and spirit of the individual and enriches the community, the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies provides a rigorous and inspiring orchestral experience for young musicians.

History

Throughout the past three decades, the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies has become one of the nation’s top musical organizations for youth. Since the first rehearsal in the fall of 1972, over 16,000 youth have participated in GTCYS, honing their musical talents while developing skills to serve them throughout their lives.

The GTCYS tradition of serving the community by enhancing the musical education of young people, providing training of future orchestral musicians and developing the audiences of the future continues today. Since its inception, GTCYS has grown to provide a supportive, yet challenging atmosphere in which young musicians can aspire to the highest levels of musical proficiency, learn from the masters of our time and perform in the most prestigious concert halls in the world.

GTCYS’ six conductors – Amir Kats, Jeffrey Stirling, Jason Etten, Barbara Flooding, Sarah Chelgren and Mary Sorlie – work individually and as a team  to uphold the organization’s tradition of excellence, and instill life lessons of discipline, creativity and teamwork.