Established in 1986, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra (COYO) is a full symphonic ensemble comprised of 100 young musicians drawn from 40 communities in 11 counties across northern Ohio. COYO provides serious young music students of middle-high school age with a unique preprofessional orchestral training experience.

Youth Orchestra members are coached regularly by Cleveland Orchestra musicians. A member of The Cleveland Orchestra conducting staff serves as the COYO music director, and the majority of rehearsals and concerts take place in historic Severance Music Center. Youth Orchestra members also have opportunities to meet and work with world renowned guest artists and conductors appearing with The Cleveland Orchestra.

The Youth Orchestra annually presents three subscription concerts in Severance Music Center and three or more “community outreach” performances in the greater Cleveland area. One of these concerts includes a collaborative program with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus, providing students of both ensembles experience with a broader repertoire. COYO members also perform or rehearse in much anticipated side-by-side experiences with The Cleveland Orchestra.

The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra is operated in accordance with the custom and practice of a professional orchestra.

The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra is supported by generous grants from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation. Endowment support is provided by the George Gund Foundation and Christine Gitlin Miles.

For information about applying and performances visit them online at clevelandorchestrayouthorchestra.com.