World-Class Instruction and Performances.
Learn about SBYSO’s performances for this season, plus exciting classes, seminars, and more.
GO BEYOND ORDINARY
Events
About
Extraordinary educational
programs.
Learn about SBYSO curriculum, conductors, and Board of Directors and staff, as well as the Georgina Joshi Endowment for the SBYSO, established in 2015.
Support
SBYSO Needs Your Sponsorship and Support.
Make a donation to SBYSO, buy an ad in our concert program, or sponsor a concert. SBYSO relies on community support to fulfill our mission.
LEARN ABOUT OUR UPCOMING SEASON!
AUDITION FOR OUR UPCOMING SEASON
Would you like to join SBYSO’s 2026-27 season? If interested, visit the link below for more information.
2027 Gala Concert
Join us for our trip to Middle Earth! SBYSO will colllaborate with the Penn High School choirs, led by Andrew Nemeth, for this high-powered and unforgettable epic score.
If you are interested in sponsoring, visit https://sbyso.org/support.
WHY SBYSO?
The South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra is a community where young musicians grow together, challenge themselves and discover the joy of performing at the highest level. Our alumni carry with them not only musical skills but lifelong friendships, confidence and a deeper appreciation for the arts.
Through these video spotlights, alumni share what their time in the orchestra means to them, how it shaped their lives and why they believe today’s young musicians should take the leap and join SBYSO.
A real musical challenge.
Students get to play substantial orchestral repertoire they may not otherwise encounter while they're still in middle or high school.
A community of serious young musicians.
SBYSO brings together students from schools across Michiana. For many students, one of the best parts is simply finding more kids who care about music as much as they do.
Performances that matter.
Students perform in major concert halls, for real audiences, and alongside exceptional guest artists and collaborators. This season includes Mahler, The Lord of the Rings Symphony, John Williams, Chicago Symphony clarinetist John Bruce Yeh, Fischoff, and 160 singers from Penn High School.
A place to grow.
We have two orchestras, so students do not have to arrive already playing at an advanced symphonic level. Concert Orchestra develops younger and intermediate players, while Symphony Orchestra tackles more advanced repertoire.
Alumni Spotlight | Abbie French
Alumni Spotlight | Annika Pollock
Alumni Spotlight | Megan Simmons
Alumni Spotlight | Dr. Mariah Taller
Alumni Spotlight | Evelyn Theinert
Alumni Spotlight | Jayden Wang
Alumni Spotlight | Matthew Williams
A few questions families usually have:
Does the student need to know which orchestra to audition for?
No. New students audition for SBYSO and can be placed in either Concert Orchestra or Symphony Orchestra based on their current level.
What is the audition like?
It is a video audition that can be recorded at home. Students who have played their instrument for at least two years and can read music are welcome to audition.
When do the orchestras rehearse?
Rehearsals are Sundays at Indiana University South Bend.
Concert Orchestra: 12:15–2:45 PM
Symphony Orchestra: 3:00–6:00 PM
What about tuition?
2026–27 tuition is $595 for Concert Orchestra and $695 for Symphony Orchestra. Work-study scholarship assistance is also available, so please don’t let cost keep a student from auditioning or asking us about options.
OUR MISSION
“Educating, inspiring, and enriching young musicians and our community through music since 1968.”
The music directors and conductors of youth orchestras lead the charge in satisfying goals and missions. Our history since is full of inspiring and talented professionals from our community and beyond. Each has made his or her mark on the SBYSO, shaping our orchestras into what they are today.
SBYSO relies on community support to fulfill our mission. Learn more about how you can support our programs.