Symphony
Led by professional conductor and educator Mark Russell Smith, Symphony is GTCYS’ flagship orchestra which masters major repertoire, including full symphonic works, in a supportive and conservatory-like setting. With its own concert series and professional style performance opportunities, Symphony attracts the best young musicians in the region. String players in Symphony have an average of 7 to 12 years of experience and winds/brass/percussion students have typically been playing their instruments for 5 to 8 years. Special artistic projects, sectionals, retreats, social activities, and extra opportunities provide a well-rounded and transformative experience which develops students’ musical, leadership, and lifelong skills.
2026–27 Highlights
Here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead:
- Rehearse weekly at Orchestra Hall from September through mid-May with Mark Russell Smith, our esteemed artistic director as well as the artistic director of orchestral studies at the University of Minnesota, music director and conductor of the Quad City Symphony, and professional conductor across the country
- Perform at 9 exciting concerts—6 at Orchestra Hall, 1 at Ted Mann Concert Hall, and 2 concerts around the Twin Cities
- Master spectacular repertoire that challenges and inspires, including Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, Charles Ives’ Variations on American, and Stacy Garrop’s Penelope Waits from the Mythology Symphony
- Learn from professional musicians during sectionals, with special seminars for brass, woodwinds, and percussion
- Make friends from across the region through 2 half-day retreats, social activities like treat nights, and optional bonus activities like mentoring and Student Leadership Team
Symphony Schedule
Virtual Kick-Off Meeting
Tuesday, September 1, 6:30-7:30pm
Rehearsals
Mondays, 6:45–9:15pm at Orchestra Hall
Retreats
- Fall: Sunday, September 20 at Ted Mann Concert Hall
- Winter: Saturday, January 16 at Ted Mann Concert Hall
Concerts
- Fall Festival: November 14–15 at Orchestra Hall
- Symphony Series Concert: Wednesday December 16, 7:00pm at East Ridge High School, Woodbury
- Symphony Series Concert: Sunday, February 28 at St. Andrew’s Mahtomedi
- Symphony Series Concert: Friday, April 30, 7:00pm at Ted Mann Concert Hall
- Spring Festival: May 8–9 at Orchestra Hall
Full online calendars will be shared after enrollment.
Tuition & Assistance
Symphony Tuition: $1,710 for the full season
Tuition supports the full season (30+ weeks) of exceptional orchestra experiences, including rehearsals with inspiring conductors, sectionals with top-notch musicians, fall and winter retreats, performances, artistic collaborations, and more. Because GTCYS is committed to affordability and access, tuition covers about half of each student’s actual program cost, with donor support bridging the gap and providing scholarships so these opportunities are possible for all students.
Payment and tuition assistance options:
- Pay in full with a credit card through the enrollment form, or
- Set up automated monthly installments from July–March ($190.00 per month) through the enrollment form, or
- Mail a check (pay in full only) to GTCYS, 10 River Park Plaza, Suite 730, St. Paul, MN 55107, or
- Apply for tuition assistance. We are still accepting applications! Contact miranda@gtcys.org with questions.
Sibling Discount
GTCYS offers a $105 tuition discount for each additional sibling enrolled.
Prorated Tuition
Tuition for students joining in January is $1030.