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 The mission of the American Youth Symphony is to train gifted young musicians for professional careers in symphony orchestras; to make music available to all segments of the community through admission-free concerts; and to foster music appreciation and provide instruments to children attending underserved public schools through music outreach.
Founded in 1964 by Mehli Mehta, former Concertmaster of the Halle Orchestra, AYS has trained several generations of professional musicians and is recognized nationwide for the artistic excellence of its educational activities and performances. The orchestra’s tradition of performing with the most promising and extraordinary soloists of our time started under Mehli Mehta’s leadership. The American Youth Symphony has received the support of Yehudi Menuhin, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Andre Watts, Midori, John Williams and Sarah Chang, to name just a few. Alexander Treger, Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, was appointed by Mehli Mehta to become the orchestra’s second Music Director in 1998. The orchestra has since performed in prestigious halls, including Carnegie Hall (2005) and Walt Disney Concert Hall (2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007). There are few similar organizations that support musicians of the highest caliber in their artistic development by providing professional training. The program is designed to enhance the participants’ musical education through concert experience. Exposure helps them develop the full complement of skills required of a first-class musician in the 21st century. At AYS, instrumentalists are introduced to the large-scale orchestral works that professionals are expected to know. AYS provides for highly experienced leadership and mentoring, extensive rehearsal time, fellowships and a stimulating selection of music. The need for training grounds like AYS is driven by the specialized nature of being a performer, and the expectations that talented musicians face in the high-profile positions where they start their careers. AYS gives musicians an edge when they compete for employment in the world’s finest orchestras and music institutions.  Admission to the American Youth Symphony is based on merit and potential only. The program is tuition-free. For these reasons and because the concerts are admission-free, contributed income is vital to the organization’s financial position. It takes expertise to create a learning environment with a challenging and inspiring program that responds to the artistic needs of some of the most skilled young musicians studying in Los Angeles.
This season, the orchestra is welcoming students ages 15-27 from 22 schools: 21% are enrolled in high school, 79% in college or graduate school. Schools represented include USC’s Thornton School of Music, the Colburn Conservatory, UCLA, Cal State University at Long Beach and Northridge, CalArts, Peabody, the San Francisco Conservatory, Azusa Pacific University, Biola University, Agoura High School, Arcadia High School, Buckley School, La Canada High School, Crescenta Valley High School, Crossroads, Dana Hills High School, Harvard-Westlake, Notre Dame High School, Oaks Christian High School, University High School, Van Nuys High School and Zion Christian Academy. On average, musicians train with the American Youth Symphony for a period of 3 years.  Indicators of the artistic success of the American Youth Symphony include concert reviews, record concert attendance during the 2008-09 season and renewed sponsorships and partnerships with underwriters, such as The Thornton Foundation, The Colburn Foundation, KUSC Radio, BMI and The Film Music Society. In the long term, the program’s merit can be measured through the success of its alumni and through the feedback they provide.
AYS is in the research phase of a new campaign to contact its alumni. Preliminary work located 27 alumni holding positions in five of the country’s top orchestras: the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Recent graduates include 1998-2009 Principal Harp Allison Allport, who was selected in 2009 by Los Angeles Opera to perform in the Ring Cycle performances.
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