Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO) is the top ensemble of the Youth Orchestra Program. Richmond Symphony’s flagship educational program, founded in 1962, consists of four youth orchestras providing beginning to advanced musical training. As the premier orchestral training program of central Virginia, students participate in weekly rehearsals, coaching and masterclasses by Richmond Symphony musicians, chamber music performances, mentoring and other musical and social activities. The Youth Orchestra Program is open to elementary through high school students. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday afternoon September through May.

Auditions for the Youth Orchestra Program take place in the spring for the following season – learn more!

Learn more about composer Laura Schwendinger Music Alive: New Partnerships Composer-in-Residence

The Residency of Laura Schwendinger is made possible through Music Alive: New Partnerships, a residency program of New Music USA and the League of American Orchestras. This national program is designed to establish new relationships between composers and orchestras, and to help orchestras present new music to the public and build support for new music within their institutions. Leadership funding for Music Alive is provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with additional support from The Aaron Copland Fund for Music and The ASCAP Foundation Bart Howard Fund.