Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras

The Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras (JSYO) serves more than 230 young musicians from all over Northeast Florida through six levels of ensembles – two full orchestras and four levels of string ensembles – that vary by repertoire and technical advancement. The JSYO season begins in September and ends in mid-May but includes holiday breaks.

Audition

The Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras hold competitive auditions each spring to form its membership for the following school year.

Still interested in auditioning? We're still accepting applications for the 2024/25 Season. Learn more below!

Learn More
Questions? Email jsyo@jaxsymphony.org.
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About the JSYO

Founded in 1993, the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras (JSYO) are Northeast Florida’s premier developmental orchestral ensembles, serving more than 230 young musicians, ages 7-21, who are admitted through introductory interviews or competitive auditions.

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The main site at Florida State College at Jacksonville (South Campus) offers all six levels of ensembles which rehearse and perform under an esteemed team of music educators as well as Jacksonville Symphony musicians.

The six levels of ensembles enable the JSYO to serve the needs of all musicians with individualized, ability-specific instruction. JSYO enriches orchestral instruction by guiding young musicians with quality musical instruction, improving skills and maintaining the highest standards.

The JSYO performs several major concerts during the September to May season at the prestigious Jacoby Symphony Hall in the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts or in regional venues. The annual Major/Minor Concert includes a side-by-side performance with JSYO ensembles and the Jacksonville Symphony. The winner of the JSYO Young Artists Competition has the privilege of soloing at Major/Minor in addition to receiving a scholarship.

Opportunities

  • Direction by professional conductors
  • Exposure to nationally recognized soloists through their affiliation with the Jacksonville Symphony
  • Coaching sessions with Jacksonville Symphony musicians
  • Outreach performances in the community
  • Young Artists Competition
  • Performances in the internationally renowned Jacoby Symphony Hall
Participating in the JSYO teaches discipline and teamwork. Young musicians also learn the value of hard work and gain self-confidence through the polished performances they give. The JSYO not only enriches the lives of their musicians, but also enriches the cultural life of the First Coast community through their many performances and outreach to children's hospitals, schools, museums and other community organizations and events.
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Conductors

Get to know the exceptional conductors of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras!
Meet the Conductors

Communities In Schools

In partnership with Communities In Schools, our Jump Start Strings After School Program serves students attending Title I elementary schools in Duval County.

Students are provided free instruments, music books and instruction by Symphony musicians each week.

Weekly instruction is provided during each afterschool program with the ultimate goal being to prepare these students to perform in our Festival of Strings concert alongside JSYO musicians, and to get them ready to audition for LaVilla School of the Arts.

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Ensembles

Explore the many ensembles of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras - there's something for every level of musician!
View Ensembles

JSYO Family Pass

As part of your JSYO membership, receive free tickets to attend all Florida Blue Classical Series and Concert Organ Series concerts. Members may purchase up to two added tickets at 50% off, so the entire family can enjoy performances together. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to one free ticket and two discounted family tickets per performance.

To purchase tickets, please contact the Box Office at 904-354-5547.

Group Sales

Are you interested in bringing a group to a Jacksonville Symphony concert? Groups with 10 or more guests receive 20% off! Reach out to our group sales department at 904.807.1003 or groupsales@jaxsymphony.org to reserve your tickets or for more information.
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Tuition Assistance & Merit Scholarships

We will be happy to arrange tuition payment plans upon request. Tuition discounts are available for multiple sibling participants and Jacksonville Symphony Musician families. Admission to JSYO is always based upon merit and never on a student’s ability to pay tuition.

Financial need-based tuition assistance is available to help defray the cost of participating in the JSYO. Please complete the Tuition Assistance Application to be considered for a financial need-based award.
Tuition Assistance Application
The JSYO receives generous support from our sponsors which allows us to offer a limited number of partial- and full-tuition merit scholarships to JSYO students. Please complete the JSYO Scholarship Application to be considered for a merit-based award.
Merit Scholarship Application

Testimonials

“Learning to play the cello has been a great experience. I enjoy rehearsing with my friends and having such a great conductor. The music we play is beautiful and it is such a wonderful feeling to be on stage performing in Jacoby Hall!”
Finley Petchauer, Cello, JSYO Encore Strings
“The Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras have afforded me the opportunity to expand my musicianship in a community of some of my best friends. Every week, I am given more opportunities to improve my craft, as well as, perform with some of the best musicians in the area. I am proud to have been a part of the JSYO family for almost four years and to have worked with such a talented and dedicated director.”
Patrick Clarke, Principal Trumpet, JSYO Philharmonic
“When I moved to Jacksonville, I was looking for a way not only to continue my involvement with music and the violin, but also to form personal connections with peers who shared my interests. Through the JSYO, I found a community of incredibly talented young people who were all passionate about the study and performance of music. I’ve grown as a player and as a person, and will be forever grateful for my time with the JSYO.”
Patrick Clarke, Principal Trumpet, JSYO Philharmonic
“Working with the young musicians of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras is always an inspiring experience. I am a huge advocate of this organization and the positive musical and personal impact it has on its students.”
Melissa Barrett, Violin, Jacksonville Symphony