Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies

See schedule o.the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (gtcys, pronounced git-seez) opens doors to music and provides a musical pathway for students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Our music education programs break down barriers and help students excel musically, build a lasting love of music, and develop lifelong skills like teamwork, perseverance, and community engagement. Gtcys is unique with its equal emphasis on excellence and access, and our ability to continually expand programming to meet growing interest and community needs while maintaining high artistic quality at every student's level. This strategy has been a catalyst for ongoing programmatic growth. Gtcys is also unique in the amount and scope of programming we provide in contrast to the modest size of our staff and budget. Highlights of the 2022-23 season include: 10 school-year orchestras in the east and west metro provided weekly rehearsals, sectionals with professional musicians, concerts, and leadership opportunities for 827 student participants ages 7-18 from across the region. Harmony: this before-school program provided year-round violin/cello instruction for 65 2nd-5th graders at riverview dual spanish/english immersion school (st. paul), where 96% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch and 95% are students of color. Launch lessons: as part of our ongoing equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, 15 non-gtcys bipoc students benefited from free weekly private lessons (paid by gtcys), most of whom subsequently joined our orchestras. Summer camps: in addition to 3 week-long summer orchestra camps, students benefited from a new brass ensemble camp and a new mariachi camp. In total, more than 300 students participated in gtcys' camps. Concerts: 23 orchestra concerts (15 of which were free) engaged 11,391 audience members at venues including senior care centers, local schools, union gospel mission, orchestra hall, and northrop auditorium. Free livestreams: 8 concerts were livestreamed for free, engaging 18,454 audience members across the country and the world. Scholarships: 161 students received $107,330 in need-based scholarships for school-year orchestra and summer camp tuition. 75 students also benefited from $69,200 in scholarships for weekly private lessons. Pro bono school clinics: gtcys conductors led free clinics with more than 1,000 band and orchestra students at 18 local public elementary, middle and high schools.