Now is your opportunity to be part of the fastest growing youth orchestra in the Greater Toronto Area!  Help support this talented group of 160 young musicians.

Who are we?

A registered charity (119043727 RR 0001) with a combined 70 years of history, in 2013 the Halton Youth Symphony and the Mississauga Youth Orchestra merged to form what is now the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra (OSYO).  Our goal was to become the premiere youth orchestra in the western Greater Toronto Area.  Over the years, we have inspired over 4,000 young musicians to achieve excellence through a love of music, while also helping them develop skills of self-esteem, discipline, teamwork, leadership and performance. 

Our affiliation with Oakville Symphony and the strength of our reputation attracts musicians from Halton, Peel, Toronto and beyond.  We have over 160 musicians from diverse backgrounds, in 4 separate orchestras, ranging in age from 6 to 19.

Our Mission:

OSYO welcomes young musicians to a progressive orchestral experience that ignites, encourages and enriches a love of music

Our Vision:

OSYO will be recognized for its excellence in development and performances through growth in ll tiers, while balancing capacity and quality

How are we run?

The OSYO is a not for profit charitable corporation (119043727 RR 0001) and is directed by a dedicated volunteer board who meet monthly. OSYO’s daily operation is directed by the board’s appointed executive director.

How are we funded?

With only 2% of our ongoing funding derived from government sources, approximately 80% from registration fees and 15% from ticket sales, we rely on the generosity of our private and corporate supporters to help us continue developing the top orchestral musicians of the future.

100% of funds raised through sponsorship are used to support young musicians and encourage a love of music in the broader community.

More about the OSYO:

• more than 70 years combined youth orchestra experience with a proven track record of excellence
• directly affiliated with Oakville Symphony (www.oakvillesymphony.com)
• 180 musicians across 4 ensembles, including our new Youth Band
• Artistic Director and Symphony Conductor, Colin Clarke is recognized as one of the top youth orchestra conductors in Canada.
• Sinfonia and Philharmonia Conductor, Caron Allen (a cellist and lifelong music educator) brings a wealth of experience to her work with younger string players
• award-winning Symphony and Philharmonia Orchestras (GOLD! @ National Music Festival)
• 3+ major concerts each season
• opportunity for musicians to participate and shine in the OSYO Chamber Ensembles (OSYO Symphony quartet have performed at the Moon Light fundraising events at the Royal Botanical Gardens)
• outreach performance opportunities with other adult and youth orchestras
• active, enthusiastic and engaged parent volunteer groups
• participation in youth orchestra festivals (provincial, national, international…including Vienna 2018)
• annual musicians retreat
• financially sound and independent organization
• successful grant submissions to the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Oakville Arts Council and others
• experienced, elected board of directors
• weekly rehearsals with professional conductors
• regular sectional coaching sessions with professional musicians

Partner with us to help bring music to more young people