Welcome to GTCYS

GTCYS is for You!

Do you want to develop your orchestral skills, make new friends, and share your musical gifts with others? Then GTCYS is for you!

The Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS, pronounced "GIT-seez") is one of the most comprehensive youth symphony programs in the nation. Every year hundreds of beginning to advanced string, wind, brass and percussion students of all ages have fun growing musically and personally in an environment that's supportive, challenging, and exciting! Here's what you can look forward to in GTCYS:

Program Highlights

• Six orchestras for elementary through high school students
• Serving students at all levels, beginning to advanced
• Two concerts at Orchestra Hall
• Two to three community concerts per orchestra
• Exciting fall retreats
• Side-by-side rehearsals within GTCYS
• Fun social activities
• Chamber music program in collaboration with the SPCO
• Concerto competition open to all GTCYS students
• 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
• New mentoring and leadership opportunities
• Need-based financial aid

To learn about your place in GTCYS, Review 2010 - 11 audition information, apply for auditions online, or learn about GTCYS' non-auditioned summer orchestras.

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, Andrew Bast, 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.