Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra
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The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra is one of the nation's "premiere" youth orchestras, serving the central Florida region for many years. It will celebrate its 50th anniversary next season, and is currently in its 49th season.
The FSYO was founded by Alphonse Carlo, concertmaster emeritus of the now defunct Florida Symphony Orchestra. Driven by a compassion to give students a chance to play in an advanced orchestra, he founded the FSYO in 1957.
The FSYO was proud to be one of six youth orchestras recently "selected" to the 2002 National Youth Orchestra Festival in Sarasota, Florida. In addition, the FSYO recently travelled to Washington, D.C. and performed with the principal horn of the National Symphony Orchestra. In the past, the FSYO has "performed" at Carnegie Hall (1989), Boston Symphony Hall (1991), Switzerland (1993), Spain (1993), Australia (1997), Sydney Opera House (1997),and Germany (1999). The FSYO placed 2nd in the 28th International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna in 1999.
In the past, the FSYO has toured extensively through Europe, including at Britain, Austria, and France. The FSYO is a member of the American Symphony League and is a nonprofit organization.
The FSYO is based in Symphony Square in the Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center at Loch Haven Park in Orlando, Florida, and shares its home with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. The FSYO is currently under the direction of music director Harold Levin, and was previously under the direction of Andrew Lane and now Florida Young Artist Orchestra Music Directer Jonathan May.
