Questions? Email Director David Anderson here!
JOHNSTOWN SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Does your child have a passion for music? Are you looking for an outlet in which to hone their talents? The JSYO is an amazing opportunity for young musicians to learn, perform and SO MUCH MORE!
The Johnstown Symphony Youth Orchestra began in 1958 and is an ensemble of our region's most promising young musicians, molding them into citizens who learn to listen to each other, develop discipline, and collaborate as a close-knit community.
Currently conducted by Mr. David Anderson, the Youth Orchestra rehearses once a week and plays music from the standard orchestral repertoire and beyond. Inspired by this rich curriculum, they refine their skills in an environment that fosters the love of music and of working together within an ensemble.
An extensive 2019 study from the University of British Columbia surveyed data from over 100,000 students and found an unmistakable connection between music involvement and academic achievement. Specifically, the 15% who took music lessons during their time in high school scored higher in other subjects. To read more about the study click here.
2023 NOTES CAMPAIGN
Download a donation form!
You may give the form to a student in the Youth Orchestra or send it to:
Johnstown Symphony Orchestra
416 Main Street, Suite 202
Johnstown, PA 15901
Auditions for the 2023-2024 season
June 3, 2023
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
All students who play orchestral instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion) are invited to audition for the JSYO’s 2023-24 season. Students will prepare music from their instrument’s solo repertoire as well as excerpts from orchestral pieces. Short sight-reading examples will also be included.
An audition is required of everyone, both new and returning students. If you are interested in auditioning but are unable to play on June 3, or if you have any other questions, parents and students are encouraged to contact conductor David Anderson (david.anderson.jsyo@gmail.com).
There are three steps to audition.
Fill out an audition application and provide all information (name, instrument, school, etc.).
Sign up for a 10-min slot on June 3.
Click on your instrument (below) for complete information and orchestral excerpts.
The deadline to fill out an application and sign-up is Friday, May 26.
Links for Current JSYO Members
JOHNSTOWN SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA EVENTS
Sunday, April 30, 2023: Johnstown Symphony Youth Orchestra Spring Concert
The concerts are partially underwritten by the Picking Family Trust Fund of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.
Youth Orchestra Music Director, David Anderson
Photographs of 2022 Spring Concert Photos by Judith Crookston Photography
Become a JSO Production Team Member!
Meet Our Music Director, David Anderson
Youth Orchestra Music Director, David Anderson
David Anderson is thrilled to begin his fourth season as conductor of the JSYO! Before relocating to Pittsburgh in 2014, Anderson served for seven years as Philharmonia Conductor of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, working with young musicians from the Chicago suburbs. During this time, he helped to establish the EYSO program as one of the premier regional youth orchestras in the Midwest. In addition to his work advancing the musicianship and artistry of Philharmonia, Anderson served as the EYSO’s Chamber Music Institute Director from 2007 to 2012. Through his leadership, enrollment in CMI more than quadrupled, expanded school-day concerts provided performance and recruiting opportunities, and a series of community concerts was initiated to help the EYSO bring chamber music to a wider audience. Beginning with the 2017-18 season, the JSYO launched two honors chamber music ensembles to provide the unique experience of playing in small settings to students in the Johnstown region.
Anderson begins his tenth season as Music Director for the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra in Southern Wisconsin and is on faculty at Seton Hill University, where he teaches the complete music theory sequence and serves as a staff accompanist.