Blog

From the Executive Director During this very unusual time in the world’s and SYSO’s history, we know that it is more important than ever to communicate clearly about our work through all available channels. Therefore, we are launching SYSO’s Leadership Letter, an email newsletter arriving every 6 to 8 weeks that will highlight how weRead more

Bhavani Kotha’s debut album, Bhavani’s Oboe, was released earlier this year, and she has wasted no time promoting it while maintaining her busy performing schedule. Like many SYSO alumni, Kotha’s passion and commitment to music is second nature. After graduating from SYSO in 2015, Kotha obtained a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, andRead more

For 75 years, Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO) has changed the lives of thousands of youths through the power of music. Many of you have participated in our Diamond Anniversary Celebrations this past season and have heard the amazing legacy stories that were made possible due to your support of this organization. This past year,Read more

For our upcoming 75th Anniversary Gala we are proud to bestow our esteemed alumni award to Japanese-American composer Paul Chihara and Seattle Conservatory of Music founder and director emeritus Margaret Pressley! BUY CONCERT TICKETSABOUT THE GALA Paul Chihara is a composer of prize-winning concert works and scores for over 90 motion pictures and television series.Read more

On March 24, The Skyros Quartet will join our four training orchestras to perform at Meany Hall. The Quartet even has a SYSO connection: SYSO alum Sara Pizzichemi. About the Skyros Quartet The Skyros Quartet has performed extensively, traveling around Asia and North America. In their hometown of Seattle, the quartet has concertized at BenaroyaRead more

On March 10, the Horn section of the internationally-acclaimed Seattle Symphony will join our flagship youth orchestra to perform at Benaroya Hall. This quartet of horns has strong ties to SYSO, in fact: the group includes SYSO alumni Jon Karschney and Danielle Kuhlmann, along with SYSO coach Mark Robbins. SYSO is honored to have SeattleRead more

Under the direction of Interim Music Advisor Dr. Anna Edwards, the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra opens SYSO’s 75th Anniversary Season on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 3pm in Benaroya Hall. The concert will feature Hector Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture, Op. 9, Prokofiev’s 1st movement of Piano Concerto No. 3 with piano soloist and SYSO concerto competition winner EmilyRead more

Then: Jack played clarinet in the Junior Symphony Orchestra and Youth Symphony Orchestra from 2009 to 2011. Now: Jack is now the second clarinet for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra What was challenging and inspiring to you about SYSO? One of the main challenges I faced in youth orchestra was getting familiar and comfortable with the coaches andRead more

Then: Paul played violin in the Classical Symphony, Junior Symphony, and Youth Symphony from 2006-2011. Now: Paul is now the second violin for the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. What was challenging and inspiring to you about your coaches and conductors at that time? My first year in the Youth Symphony, we were working on Mahler’s 1st Symphony withRead more

Actor/Singer/Songwriter and SYSO alum Jiho Kang Then: Jiho played violin and viola in SYSO’s Debut, Junior, and Youth Symphonies from 2009-2011. Now: An actor/singer/songwriter, Jiho recently starred in KPOP in NYC. The acclaimed new interactive musical tackled issues of race and identity and was featured everywhere from the New York Times to Vulture. Jiho even earned a specificRead more