Music City Youth Orchestra

WE'VE GOT A MISSION

Music City Youth Orchestra

The mission of Music City Youth Orchestra is to create a safe, enthusiastic, and disciplined environment for young musicians in Nashville, Tennessee to learn and perform both traditional and alternative repertory for orchestra under the guidance of and in collaboration with dynamic and accomplished professional musicians.

We believe that music-making should be a joyful activity, both in rehearsal and performance. We employ a disciplined approach and strive for high standards of accomplishment while at the same time relaxing some of the more formal attitudes commonly associated with the orchestra. We aspire to create a collaborative effort where the students take ownership and contribute to the work of the group beyond simply learning their parts. The collective contributions of the members of the group determine the identity of the organization. We also make use of the invaluable resources that we have here in “Music City” through an eclectic approach to programming that explores a diversity of musical styles, and by seeking opportunities for the orchestra to collaborate with world-class professional musicians.

Guiding Principles

  • Music making should be a joyful activity that proceeds out of love and respect.
  • Students learn best when they take ownership of a project.
  • Discipline and a rigorous approach to learning are most successful in an environment that also embraces enthusiasm, fun, and whimsy.
  • Sustained relationships with practicing professional musicians inspire developing student musicians to put forth their best effort.
  • Exploration of a diverse repertoire including a broad spectrum of western art music as well as traditional and popular styles is the most relevant approach for student musicians in the 21st century.