Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra

Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO) is a nonprofit organization in Bellevue, Washington, established to provide a positive and stimulating musical environment for Eastside youth. Now with six large orchestras and three smaller instrumental ensembles, we have been serving students ages 6 to 21 since 1964.

Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra provides a wholesome and challenging atmosphere for young musicians who need the extra stimulation of working beyond school programs.

Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra conductors and staff interact with students as the serious musicians they are, yet recognize that fun is important. While we focus intensively on our students’ musicianship, our commitment is to guide and support the whole person. BYSO uniquely complements and builds upon both school music programs and private instruction.

Student musicians audition annually to join or continue in BYSO. Our music staff takes care to place each accepted musicians into the ensemble that best fits his or her abilities and provides an appropriate level of challenge. We believe that placing musicians by ability rather than by age or grade encourages the healthiest growth in their musicianship and self-confidence.

The BYSO season follows the school year, beginning in September and ending in May. Because our ensembles rehearse in Bellevue School District facilities, we observe that district’s holidays and other school closures, such as for inclement weather.

Each Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra ensemble performs in concert between three and five times per season, typically in November and/or December, March, and May.

Statement of Purpose

Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra creates opportunities to discover the joy of making music, provides a full orchestral program, promotes personal responsibility, and fosters educational excellence, all of which enrich our communities