The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra is one of the nation's notable youth orchestras, serving the central Florida region for many years. The organization is currently celebrating its 54th 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 has grown into more than its three main branches. It has a branch for young students called the "Prelude". It has another branch called the "Philharmonia" in which late middle-schoolers to high-schoolers participate. Its last main branch is the Symphonic, which usually consists of high-schoolers but not always. The FSYO also has a flute choir, a cello choir, an overture strings(for young musicians) and several chamber programs. These three "extra" groups do not usually participate in the Opener concert or the Finale as they play in the lobby or somewhere else as a community service.
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 Andrew Lane.