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Metropolitan
Youth Symphony
Lajos Balogh, Founder, Music Director & Conductor
Since 1974
MYS Office
503-239-4566 or (from outside of the 503 area code only)
1-888-PLAY MYS
(1-888-752-9697)

 

The Mission and History of Metropolitan Youth Symphony

DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION

The Metropolitan Youth Symphony is a non-profit youth musical group consisting of ten different performing groups totaling approximately 500 young musicians from six years through college. MYS musicians come from all over the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. The MYS concert season consists of three main performances in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland, Oregon, USA. Several MYS performing groups also give outreach concerts at different venues throughout the area. In addition, MYS has several Chamber Ensembles, that also perform at local schools and retirement homes.

BRIEF HISTORY

The Metropolitan Youth Symphony was founded in 1974 by its current music director Lajos Balogh. Maestro Balogh started MYS with 16 string players,which had grown to 35 by its first performance in 1975. Since its inception at Marylhurst College in Lake Oswego, MYS has moved its rehearsal site several times. Currently, all rehearsal activities take place at Beaumont Middle School in Northeast Portland. Over the years, MYS has grown to involve four different orchestras. For the 1994-95 season, MYS added the Symphonic Band to compliment its orchestral program. In 1995, the Preparatory Band was formed, and in 1998 the Concert Band began its inaugural season, bringing the total number of ensembles to seven. More recently, MYS has added both a Flute Choir and in 2003, a Jazz Orchestra. In recent years, MYS has invited several guest choirs to join us for one of our Schnitzer Hall concerts. This collaboration has given our students (as well as the choir’s students) the chance to perform a much wider assortment of works.

PHILOSOPHY

MYS was founded on the belief that the study of music can be an integral part of a child becoming a well-rounded adult. Not only can music promote intellectual and aesthetic knowledge, it also builds many leadership skills such as responsibility, discipline, communication, acceptance and pride. MYS is a family of performing groups at various levels of musical development. It is also an environment which is supportive of family values, recognizing its partnership in the active lives of members and promoting the fun aspect of music making.

Speaking of his young musicians, Maestro Balogh has said, "It is important that we pass on our tradition. We owe it to them."

STATISTICS

Since 1974, the Metropolitan Youth Symphony has accomplished the following:
  • Performed hundreds of youth concerts all over the northwest.
  • Participated in several tours including Canada, Italy, Japan, Germany, Austria, Hungary, the former Czech Republic, Great Britain, Scandinavia, China and St. Petersburg.
  • Contributed to the musical development of over 2600 young musicians.
  • Awarded over 200 tuition scholarships to needy young musicians.
  • Developed a full season subscription base to over 450.
  • Developed volunteer support that incorporates over 100 people in all capacities including ticket sales, mailings, music librarians, and all general MYS operations.
  • Performed 33 concerts in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall for over 40,000 people.

FUTURE PLANS

The Metropolitan Youth Symphony’s Mission Statement is to develop, educate and promote young musicians. With this in mind, our long term goals include the following:

  • To provide an opportunity for young musicians to perform great orchestral literature at the highest possible level.
  • To give young musicians enhanced study of their respective instruments.
  • To develop a beginning strings program to offset the programs that have been cut from the public schools.
  • Develop a working Chamber Orchestra consisting of our top 24 string players.

The Metropolitan Youth Symphony develops, educates, and promotes young musicians.

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