Orlando, FL - August 14, 2026
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras (FSYO) is proud to announce it has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation (EBCF) to support the celebration and enhancement of FSYO’s 70th Season, dubbed the Platinum Season. After a successful 69th Season, FSYO enters this milestone with much momentum dedicated to strengthening its programming, providing new experiences for its members, and improving the organization’s internal systems so it can better fulfill its mission.
Over the past 70 years, FSYO has grown to serve more than 300 students from nine counties through eight ensembles, including three full orchestras, two string orchestras, two jazz bands, and one percussion ensemble. As a fully supplemental program, FSYO provides young musicians with high-level instruction and challenging repertoire that complements their musical education provided in the school system.
“Reaching our 70th Season is a remarkable milestone, but it is also an opportunity to look ahead. This generous support from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation comes at a wonderful time as we celebrate our history, embrace our Platinum Season, and look ahead to the many musical possibilities still to come.”
-Alan Gerber, FSYO Board President
With the support of this grant from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, FSYO is enhancing and celebrating its 70th Season through four primary initiatives:
- Elevating the concert experience for FSYO members and attendees by performing in premier venues across Central Florida.
- Returning rehearsals to Winter Park, where FSYO was founded more than 70 years ago.
- Expanding collaborations with professional artists to provide new performance opportunities and exceptional instruction for FSYO members.
- Investing in professional development for board and staff to strengthen FSYO’s organizational capacity.
Throughout its 70th Season, FSYO will make its debut performance at Judson's Live with its jazz bands and in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts with its orchestras. These performances will elevate the concert experience for both members and audiences by showcasing student musicians in two of Central Florida's premier performance venues. FSYO is also returning to Winter Park for rehearsals and performances throughout the season. Rehearsals at Winter Park High School provide a more central location for many of its members, making travel more convenient while reconnecting the organization with the community where it was founded. Additionally, Winter Park High School will provide a performance space for FSYO’s orchestras to perform in during the spring.
The 70th Season also marks the beginning of several exciting collaborations for FSYO with professional artists from across the country. These partnerships include working with local chamber ensemble Musiva during the Stringmania Summer Camp, featuring guest artists at FSYO Jazz Concerts, hosting the United States Army Woodwind Quintet (Pershing's Own) as part of the FSYO Invitational, and commissioning of two new pieces through the League of American Orchestras’ Composing Our Tomorrow initiative. These ambitious projects would not be possible without the support of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation.
"FSYO is honored to receive this historic grant from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation in celebration of our Platinum Season, 70 years of musical excellence. With the foundation's support, we are able to elevate FSYO's programming and deepen our roots in the greater community to ensure FSYO exists for another 70 years and beyond."
-Abigail Tran, FSYO Executive Director
Ms. Edyth Bush established the Foundation in 1966 with a commitment to helping people help themselves, with a particular focus on supporting children through education and human service organizations. Today, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras carries that spirit forward by “empowering young musicians to achieve excellence and inspire their communities through a shared love of music.”
"For 70 years, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras has inspired young people to pursue excellence, creativity, and discipline through music. The Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation is proud to support FSYO's Platinum Season as it expands opportunities for talented student musicians, strengthens its connection to the Winter Park community, and invests in a vibrant future for the arts in Central Florida. We believe this milestone season will create lasting benefits for both the students it serves and our region."
-David Odahowski, EBCF President & CEO
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About FSYO: Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras empowers young musicians to achieve excellence and inspire their communities through a shared love of music. In its 70th Concert Season, FSYO serves over 300 members and comprises eight ensembles - three symphony orchestras, two string orchestras, two jazz bands, and a percussion ensemble.
FSYO programs are carefully structured to encourage member growth with FSYO throughout their primary and secondary years. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras’ full range of ensembles offers each member 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. During the summer, tour ensemble members participate in life-changing experiences of organized tours every other year.
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is funded in part by United Arts of Central Florida, your local agency for the arts, by Orange County, FL through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program, and by the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation.
For more information, please visit www.fsyo.org | facebook.com/THEFSYO | @f_s_y_o (instagram) | youtube.com/fsyo
About the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation: Edyth Bush established the Foundation in 1966 to alleviate human suffering and to help people help themselves. She was particularly interested in working with children and began granting funds to local education and human service organizations. Edyth and her trusted advisors, who traveled with her from Minnesota to her new Central Florida home, were steeped in the rich history and traditions of Midwestern philanthropy. Over time, it became clear that one of their most important roles would be to help strengthen the caring community by connecting philanthropists across the state of Florida and by providing management assistance for nonprofit leaders. Nearly half a century later, the Foundation continues to create innovative civic solutions that help people help themselves. Our best work is helping nonprofit organizations be better managed, governed and led. To learn more, visit https://edythbush.org/
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