About Us

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has served Central Florida for over sixty-five years. In the early 1950's, Rollins College music professor Alphonse Carlo recognized a need for a youth orchestra program in the Orlando area and accordingly organized free Saturday classes for string students in the community. Mr. Carlo's ultimate dream of forming a youth orchestra came to fruition when the popularity of his ensemble reached its stride in 1957 and the first public FSYO concert was stage in November, 1959. For the first 20 years of its existence, FSYO was supported by both Rollins College and the Florida Symphony Orchestra.

Today, FSYO serves nearly three-hundred students and is comprised of seven ensembles: three symphonic orchestras, one string-training orchestra, a chamber orchestra, and two jazz orchestras. Additionally, FSYO organizes two supplementary string programs during the fall and summer months: Sing-Song, String-Along and Stringmania Summer Camp. FSYO's program is carefully structured to encourage a student's growth throughout their primary and secondary years. Our full range of ensembles gives each student a place to excel with peers at a similar level, and an opportunity to collaborate with seasoned music professionals on local, national, and international levels. Beyond the regular season, students in FSYO's Touring Orchestra participate in life-changing experiences through annually alternating international & national tours.

  • The Overture Strings Orchestra, conducted by Ms. Raine Allen, introduces advancing string players to the orchestra experience, encouraging responsibility and practice along the way, and helping instill a love for orchestral play.
  • The Prelude Orchestra, under the direction of Ms. Sarah Morrison, is an intermediate level orchestra where students regularly rotate seating positions, encouraging exploration, leadership, and musicality while playing as part of a whole.
  • The Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Mr. Matthew Davis is an advanced, full orchestra where students play standard classic literature and perform in a number of concert experiences.
  • The Symphonic Orchestra, under Music Director Dr. James Welsch, is a pre-professional, conservatory level orchestra in which students are challenged with exceptionally difficult literature, and perform at a number of extra concerts and engagements throughout the year.
  • FSYO's Chamber Music program, under the direction of Music Director and Symphonic Orchestra Conductor, Dr. James Welsch, is a selective program open to students participating in FSYO's Symphonic Orchestra who are interested in training in the art of small ensemble playing.
  • FSYO's Alphonse Carlo Jazz Band, conducted by Dr. Richard Drexler, is a 17-20 piece ensemble that focuses on the study of big band jazz music. Students learn the theory behind jazz composition and improvisation and have the opportunity to do sectional work with some of the area's top jazz musicians.
  • FSYO's Joseph Wise Jazz Band, conducted by Mr. Kenneth Boyd, is a 17-20 piece ensemble that focuses on the study of big band jazz music. Students learn the theory behind jazz composition and improvisation and have the opportunity to do sectional work with some of the area's top jazz musicians.
  • Stringmania is a two-week musically enriching summer program for any string players age 7-15 (not just current FSYO students) who are playing at a Suzuki Book 2 level or higher. Participants are provided with a challenging and fun musical experience that includes: orchestra & chamber ensemble experiences, chamber group coaching, private lessons, instruction in fiddling and improvisation and more. The camp concludes with a showcase performance open to the community.
  • Sing-Song, String-Along (SSSA) is a free program nurturing the musical, social, and cognitive development of children, ages 5 to 8 years, from low-income families through the study of the violin. The program is grounded in the tenets of the Suzuki Method, which views playing an instrument as the means to many other goals and believes what is learned through music will benefit children in whatever career they choose.

Membership in Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras' six, core orchestra programs is by invitation only, following competitive entrance auditions. Ensuring equality and the opportunity for growth, membership renewal is not automatically guaranteed, as all members must re-audition each year.

For any questions, concerns or feedback, please feel free to contact the FSYO Office by phoning 407.999.7800, or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras | (407) 999-7800 | info@fsyo.org

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts. FSYO is also funded in part by United Arts of Central Florida, your local agency for the arts. 

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Thank you to our 2023-2024 Scholarship sponsor, Kiwanis Club of Orlando Foundation.

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Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is a proud member of the League of American Orchestras and the Edyth Bush Institute.

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