Thank you for joining us for #BYSOCommunityDay!

We may be apart right now, but the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras are still finding ways to be together. The music continues at BYSO, with virtual learning, score studies, and more! We’ve always believed in the power of classical music and we thank everyone who joined us in celebrating our first BYSO Community Day by making a gift to support our students. All gifts through May 5, 2020 were matched, dollar-for-dollar, to raise a total of $36,000 in support of our young musicians! We cannot thank you enough. Enjoy this special Community Day video featuring a behind-the-scenes look at our rehearsals and virtual programming!

While we can't be together physically as a community, we wanted to bring BYSO to you, wherever you might be.

In celebration of BYSO Community Day, our young musicians have been hard at work to bring you a little 'joy'! Presented virtually for the first time, please enjoy members of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras performing Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, "Ode to Joy"!

Did you know that April 23rd is officially recognized as the “Greater Boston Youth Symphony Day” in the state of Massachusetts?

On April 23rd, 1961, (G)BYSO had the honor of performing at world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York, performing works by Verdi, Sibelius and Wagner. The orchestra presented a second concert one week later at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall (pictured here). In honor of this momentous occasion, Governor John A. Volpe named April 23rd “Greater Boston Youth Symphony Day” in the commonwealth of Massachusetts.

This year, BYSO Day on April 23rd kicked off a two week celebration of the unwavering spirit of our BYSO community and the joy that each and every one of our young musicians bring to our lives.  We thank you for joining us online from April 23rd through May 5th, which we dubbed ‘BYSO Community Day’! BYSO was honored to celebrate #GivingTuesdayNow in collaboration with BYSO Community Day on May 5th as part of a global day of unity and giving for citizens and charities across the world.

As our students, instructors, and staff continue to rise to the challenge of embracing virtual learning and working together for the greater good, we are constantly reminded of the incredible resiliency of our BYSO community. Here are some ways you all helped spread our messages of positivity:  

• Sent your favorite BYSO photos, memories, and stories to us, which we shared on our own social media from April 23rd to May 5th.
• Showed off your BYSO pride by wearing red or orange, or your favorite BYSO swag, took a photo, and shared it on your social media using the hashtag #BYSOday and tagged @BostonYouthSymphonyOrchestras. We loved seeing these posts!
• Made a gift that will create opportunities for deserving BYSO students, regardless of the financial barriers they may face.

Supporting for BYSO Community Day doubled your impact. You doubled your support of our financial aid fund, doubled your support of our in-school program, and doubled your support towards the life-changing experience that BYSO has on thousands of young people in our area. Thank you for helping us surpass our original goal of raising $15,000, and instead helping us raise a total of $36,000 in support of these talented young musicians! We are so grateful!

Learn more about the history of BYSO here: