California Youth Symphony

Under the direction of maestro Leo Eylar, the California Youth Symphony (CYS) Orchestra has established an international reputation for its outstanding performances. The orchestra performs a seven concert series between November and May each year plus an annual Holiday Concert in conjunction with other CYS ensembles. Every other year the orchestra mounts an international tour. Previously they have toured in Italy, Japan, China, and Central Europe, where CYS won the Grand Prize at the International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna. The orchestra has approximately 110 members and rehearses on Sunday afternoons at Gunn High School in Palo Alto. Each August the orchestra retreats to the redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains for its week-long music camp. New members are chosen by audition each May and are drawn from other CYS ensembles and from outside the organization.