California Youth Symphony

06/11/2026

For a trilling end to their seasons, the Chamber Winds, Wind Ensemble, and Wind Symphony had their Coda Concert on May 17th at Smithwick Theatre.

06/11/2026

To wrap up their seasons with a bow, the CYS Intermezzi and Virtuosi Strings, and Associate Orchestra performed on May 17th at Smithwick Theatre.

06/02/2026

Four incredible CYS graduating seniors take the stage for an EPIC Season Finale! This Sunday, 2:30pm at San Mateo PAC, we've got Ibert, we've got Hindemith, we've got Vieuxtemps, we've got Prokofiev, and the soloists to take them on with the support of the Senior Orchestra.

05/21/2026

CYS Alumni, please join us May 31 for a Reading Rehearsal and Gathering. Connect and reminisce with fellow musicians from before, during, and after your time at CYS! See you 6-8:30pm at Almond Elementary in Los Altos! RSVP at cys.org/about/alumni

05/20/2026

Huge congratulations to our Senior Orchestra co-concertmaster, Kayla! 🎶💐💜

Congratulations to our 2026 Musician of the Year, Kayla Lee.

Our Musician of the Year is one of the most accomplished young musicians ever to graduate from Valley Christian. A multi-year YoungArts recipient, Concerto Competition winner, and concert master of the California Youth Symphony and National Youth Orchestra of the United States, Kayla has distinguished herself through extraordinary artistry, musical excellence, and humility. This fall, Kayla will be attending both Columbia University and The Juilliard School as part of the highly selective Columbia-Juilliard Program.

05/12/2026

Just as a coda brings the conclusion of a piece, this Sunday's Coda Concerts will wrap up the 25-26 Season for six of our impressive ensembles! At 6pm in Smithwick Theatre, experience the Chamber Winds, Wind Ensemble, and Wind Symphony display their musical growth. Grace Ahn will perform a movement of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A Major, with the Wind Symphony.

05/05/2026

Join us at 1pm on May 17 in Smithwick Theatre, to celebrate another excellent season of music-making for our String Ensembles and Associate Orchestra! This free concert will include percussionist Tristan Liao, performing the first movement of Brazilian composer Ney Rosauro’s Marimba Concerto No. 2

04/23/2026

CYS is holding a Second Round of Auditions, due May 20 at cys.org/auditions! This is for new auditions only, to fill open positions after the first round of auditions and registrations. Here are the instruments we have openings for. Please share with the young musicians in your community!

03/24/2026

Join us in the marvelous California Theatre this Sunday, March 29th at 7:30pm, for an impressive performance of the Korngold Violin Concerto by Young Artist Competition winner Kayla Lee! Guest Conductor Kevin Cho (CYS Class of 2004) and Maestro Leo Eylar will share the podium in leading the Senior Orchestra!

03/13/2026

Next up is our Festival Evening Concert at 6pm, also on March 22nd, with the Wind Symphony and Associate Orchestra! Justin Tien and Matthew Li will be highlighted as soloists and winners of the Associate Orchestra's Concerto Competition.