About NYS
The Norwalk Youth Symphony has provided outstanding music education and performance opportunities to talented and dedicated young musicians since 1956.
NYS provides the opportunity for students to set and achieve high personal standards, to discover their capabilities of working together and to share the excitement of performing great music before appreciative listeners.
Founded in 1956, NYS serves nearly 260 musicians from more than 30 area towns each year. What started out as one small orchestra of 55 members has grown to include 2 full symphonic orchestras, 2 string orchestras, one wind ensemble, and supplemental programs including chamber groups and a brass ensemble. NYS has always been characterized by gifted musicians, dedicated conductors, challenging music, and exciting and exacting performances.
Many of our graduates go on to study professionally at music conservatories and colleges such as Juilliard, Eastman, Manhattan School of Music, Berklee College of Music, Hartt College of Music and the New England Conservatory. Graduates have also played in college orchestras at Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth, Wellesley, Ithaca, Brown, Princeton, University of California at Berkeley, Williams, MIT, Hamilton, Boston College, Columbia and others. One alumnus is a three-time Grammy Award winner. Whether or not students continue their music studies after they go on to college, all NYS members gain an invaluable discipline and musical experience that instills a lifelong appreciation of music and the arts.
NYS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization investing in the future of young musicians.
