Orange County Youth Symphony and String Ensemble

About

Founded in 1970, the Orange County Youth Symphony (OCYS) and String Ensemble (OCYSE) is one of Southern California’s finest youth symphony programs. The diverse roster represents student musicians from nearly 60 middle school, high school, and college programs from San Clemente to Fullerton and beyond. 

In its 50+ year history, OCYS has traveled the world representing Orange County’s best young adult musicians presenting performances in Austria, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and New York. It has appeared and participated in many prestigious performances and projects, including U.S. and West Coast premieres by composers such as Mark-Anthony Turnage and Kurt Schwetsik and a season-long project with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 culminating in a documentary entitled Beethoven’s Ninth: Journey to Joy that was selected by PBS SoCal for multiple broadcasts. Most recently, the orchestra was presented in a side-by-side concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, performing for a nearly sold-out audience.   

Additional highlights of past seasons include masterclasses with Ray Chen, Midori, Hilary Hahn, and Sheku Kanneh-Mason, as well as a mini residency by the Kronos Quartet. An annual tradition, OCYS serves as the featured orchestra for the Philharmonic Society’s acclaimed Concerts for Fifth Grade at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. This concert series has provided music education for nearly a million students for more than thirty years. Additionally, OCYS and OCYSE appear in their own performances in prestigious venues across Orange County. 

What We Do

Over a ten-month season (mid-August to mid-May), our members participate in performances, masterclasses/workshops, weekly rehearsals, a concerto competition, Concerts for Fifth Grade, an annual retreat, tour travel opportunities, and become music ambassadors for Southern California. 

Educational & Community Outreach

The Orange County Youth Symphony additionally supports and supplements music programs across the county. 

• Presented in longtime partnership with the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, our annual Concerts for Fifth Grade series has impacted more than one million students since the 1980s. 
• All OCYS and OCYSE musicians are expected to participate in their respective school's primary string, band, or orchestral programs. Their participation reinforces both ensembles and immerses each student in symphonic literature. 

Learn More!

Rehearsals

OCYS rehearsals are held on Sundays from mid-August to mid-May at Chapman University. OCYS rehearses from 1:00 pm-3:30 pm.

OCYSE rehearsals are held on Sundays from mid-September to mid-May at Chapman University. OCYSE rehearses from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm. 

(Winter and Spring Breaks, along with Holidays, will be posted on the Season Calendar)