Paris Velasco

Founded in 1958, the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras' (BYSO) mission is to encourage musical excellence in a professional and supportive environment by providing the highest-quality orchestra training and performance opportunities to qualified musicians, grades K–12, while making its programs accessible to under-served communities through financial assistance and outreach. BYSO has evolved from a single orchestra to one of Boston’s most prestigious arts organizations, with a programmatic scope that includes three full symphonic orchestras, a string training orchestra, six chamber orchestras, a preparatory wind ensemble, a chamber music program, and a nationally recognized string training program that provides rigorous instruction to students from underrepresented communities. Each year BYSO auditions nearly 750 students from throughout New England, ages 7–18, and accepts approximately 450 young musicians. This opportunity offers the highest quality coaching and 20 performances in some of Boston’s finest venues. Every other year, the organization’s most advanced ensemble (BYS) concludes the season with an international tour. BYSO has served thousands of young musicians as one of the largest and most comprehensive youth orchestras in the United State and today is recognized nationally as a model music and arts education organization. With a vision to educate young people from all demographics, BYSO holds excellence in music education at the heart of all of its activities.