History
The Metropolitan Youth Symphony was founded in 1974 by Lajos Balogh. Maestro Balogh started MYS with 16 string players, and rapid growth enlarged the group to 35 by its first performance in 1975. Rehearsals now take place on Saturdays at Roseway Heights School in Northeast Portland. Over the years, MYS has responded to need in the community for musical enrichment, and has expanded to encompass three full orchestras, three string ensembles, three concert bands, two jazz orchestras, and a flute ensemble. MYS traditionally invites guest choirs to join the Symphony Orchestra for winter performances in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. This collaboration gives MYS students and the singers opportunities to perform a wider assortment of works. Beginning with the 2012-13 season, Maestro Andres Lopera joined MYS as the Music Director.
Specialties
The Metropolitan Youth Symphony is a non-profit organization that provides musical training to young musicians with thirteen performing groups. Yearly enrollment is more than 400 students, from seven years through college age. MYS musicians come from all over the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. The MYS concert season consists of three performances the Portland Center for the Performing Arts and an additional 4-6 community concerts at schools and other venues. Several MYS performing groups give outreach concerts to school children, both in the greater Portland metro area and in outlying communities.