The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra is a full symphonic ensemble comprised of more than 100 young musicians drawn from more than 45 communities in 12 counties across Northern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra (COYO) provides serious young music students of middle-high school age with a unique pre-professional 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 Hall. Youth Orchestra members also have opportunities to meet and work with world renown guest artists and conductors appearing with The Cleveland Orchestra.

The Youth Orchestra presents three concerts annually in Severance Hall and three or more “community outreach” performances in the greater Cleveland area. COYO performs annually with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus, providing students of both ensembles experience with a broader repertoire. COYO members also perform in the much anticipated side-by-side concerts with The Cleveland Orchestra.

The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra is supported by generous grants from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and The Surdna Foundation.

Photo: Caitlyn McGaugh, Jonathan McLean and Lynn Orfahli, Members of the 2010-11 COYO Horn Section