Wichita Falls Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO)

Who We Are

The Wichita Falls Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO) has been serving Texoma's musical youth since 1992. The YSO provides programs and educational opportunities that lead to exceptional group performances and a lifelong appreciation of music. A musical education positively impacts students through better school attendance, higher academic success, and improved behavior and confidence levels.  

The Symphonic Orchestra provides advanced musicians the opportunity to perform challenging music in a full orchestral setting, building musical, team and leadership skills through principal chair positions, mentoring younger players, and working with professional coaches. The Philharmonic Orchestra is a preparatory strings group aimed at building skills and musical knowledge to prepare them for eventual Symphonic playing. The Apprentice program provides talented students with the opportunity to work side by side with a professional WF Symphony musician, providing free lessons in preparation of a full WFSO concert performance alongside their mentor. Summer Strings Camp is an intensive program of music theory, history, musical topics, and performing skills let by highly skilled conductors and coaches.  The Gail Key Academy of Music (GKAM) is in partnership with the WFISD, bringing subsidized strings instructions to elementary students during the school day.          

Music is powerful, and it helps kids overcome obstacles.  From a kindergartner holding their violin for the first time to passionate high schoolers performing together towards the common goal of excellence, YSO students thrive when we open doors of opportunity for them.  

A foundational belief of the YSO is that EVERY child should have equal opportunity to enjoy the character building benefits of music. Since it's inception, the YSO has aimed to break down any and all socioeconomic barriers that might stand in the way of this happening.  Through low cost membership, scholarships, and fully subsidized string lessons, we continually make this goal a priority, contributing to the healthy and artistic communities of tomorrow!

Together we can change kids' lives through music!  Help us continue this mission and make your gift today!