Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras (FSYO) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has been serving Central Florida for over 70 years. In the early 1950's, Rollins College music professor, Alphonse Carlo, recognized a need for a youth orchestra and organized free Saturday classes for string students with a dream of forming a youth orchestra. The youth orchestra grew in popularity through 1957 and staged its first public concert in November 1959 with 59 members. For the first 20 years, FSYO was jointly supported by both Rollins College and the Florida Symphony Orchestra.
Today, FSYO serves almost 350 members and is comprised of eight ensembles - three symphony orchestras, two string-training orchestras, a percussion ensemble, two jazz bands - and one supplementary program: Stringmania Summer Camp. FSYO programs are carefully structured to encourage member growth with FSYO throughout their primary and secondary years, and during the summer, tour ensemble members participate in life-changing experiences of organized tours every other year.
- The Overture Strings Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Jeannine Mongeon, introduces advancing string players to the ensemble experience, encourages responsibility and practice along the way, and helps instill a love for orchestral playing.
- The Prelude Orchestra, under the direction of Ms. Sarah Morrison, is an intermediate level string orchestra where members regularly rotate chair seating which encourages exploration, leadership, and musicality while playing as part of a whole.
- The Sinfonia Orchestra, conducted by Mrs. Andrea Reynolds, is a full orchestra that invites members into a larger ensemble experience where they learn the intricacies of playing in a full orchestra (strings, winds, brass, percussion) while performing repertoire that focuses on furthering technique, musicianship, and leadership.
- The Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Mr. Matthew Davis, is an advanced full orchestra where members play standard classical literature and perform in a number of concert experiences.
- The Symphonic Orchestra, under Music Director Mr. Charles Watford, is a pre-professional, conservatory-level orchestra, in which members are challenged with exceptionally difficult literature and perform at a number of extra concerts and engagements throughout the year.
- The Alphonse Carlo Jazz Band, conducted by Jazz Director Mr. Kenneth Boyd, is a 17-20 piece ensemble that focuses on the study of big band jazz music. Members 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.
- The Joseph Wise Jazz Band, conducted by Mr. Marc Kolodinsky, is a 17-20 piece ensemble that focuses on the study of big band jazz music. Members 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.
- The Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Percussion Ensemble Director Dr. Thad Anderson, provides an opportunity for percussionists to delve into the rich variety of literature written for percussion, and these musicians simultaneously serve all of FSYO's classical orchestras in preparation and performance of their literature.
- Stringmania Summer Camp is a one-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, improvisation, and more. The camp concludes with a showcase performance open to the community.
Membership in Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras' eight, core ensemble 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..
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