Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies Embarks on Landmark Tour to New Zealand and Australia
Photo credit: Jacob West
From the Twin Cities to the Sydney Opera House, these students’ journey reflects a rare combination of artistic excellence, access, and global ambition.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Megen Balda, Executive Director, Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS)
651-602-6802 | megen@gtcys.org
May 21, 2026 (ST. PAUL, MN) — In June 2026, the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies’ (GTCYS) premier ensemble, Symphony, will represent Minnesota and the United States on an ambitious international concert tour to New Zealand and Australia, culminating in a highly anticipated performance at the Sydney Opera House—one of the world’s most iconic concert venues.
The tour will take place June 20–July 1, 2026, and includes performances and cultural exchanges in Auckland, New Zealand and Sydney, Australia, alongside collaborative concerts with leading youth orchestras in both countries, organized by GrandTours.
Comprising more than 120 of Minnesota’s most accomplished high school musicians, Symphony is the flagship orchestra of GTCYS, the largest youth orchestra program in the United States. Under the leadership of Artistic Director and Symphony Conductor Mark Russell Smith, the ensemble is widely recognized for its professional-caliber performances, bold repertoire, and international touring legacy.
“This tour represents an extraordinary artistic and educational milestone for our students,” said Mark Russell Smith. “Performing on world-renowned stages, collaborating with international peers, and sharing music across cultures profoundly shapes these young musicians—both as artists and global citizens.”
Highlights of the tour include a joint concert with the Auckland Youth Orchestra, a performance at Verbruggen Hall at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and a featured concert at the Sydney Opera House.
Symphony’s tour repertoire showcases both orchestral tradition and contemporary voices, anchored by Wagner’s Die Meistersinger Prelude and Prokofiev’s sweeping Romeo and Juliet. The program also features vibrant American works, including John Williams’ “With Malice Toward None” from Lincoln and Michael Abels’ Delights & Dances, alongside an overture by award-winning high school composer and GTCYS Symphony member Luke Soneral, highlighting the ensemble’s commitment to artistic range and the next generation of composers. Together, the repertoire reflects Symphony’s hallmark blend of technical mastery, expressive depth, and bold, forward-looking programming.
“As ambassadors for Minnesota and American youth arts, these students demonstrate what’s possible when young people are given access to world-class training and opportunities,” said Megen Balda, GTCYS Executive Director. “We’re proud to share their artistry with audiences across the globe.”
Twin Cities audiences will have one more opportunity to hear Symphony ahead of its international tour, with a Tour Send-Off Concert at 7pm on June 11 at Ted Mann Concert Hall (Minneapolis). Tickets are available online, and the performance will be livestreamed for free on GTCYS’ YouTube channel, ensuring broad community access to the orchestra’s tour repertoire and world-class musicianship.
Now in its 54th season, GTCYS serves more than 1,300 students ages 7–18 from across the Twin Cities region through orchestras, community initiatives, and summer programs. The organization is nationally recognized for combining artistic excellence with a deep commitment to access, awarding more than $300,000 annually in need-based scholarships for tuition and private lessons so that no student is turned away due to financial barriers.
The 2026 tour continues Symphony’s celebrated international history, which includes recent performances at Barcelona’s Palau de la Música (2024) and Italy’s Taormina Art Festival (2022), as well as tours spanning Europe, South America, and Asia.
For more information about the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies and Symphony’s 2026 international tour, visit gtcys.org.