Calos Youth Orchestras is proud to be in its 40th season, comprising young instrumentalists from St. John's and surrounding communities on the Northeast Avalon. With participants ranging in age from 6 years old to 23, CALOS is the largest and foremost training program for young instrumentalists in the province. Led by Artistic Director Grant Etchegary, CALOS offers age and skill appropriate orchestras: Strings Orchestra,  Concert Orchestra, and Senior Orchestra, as well as beginner programs in bassoon, double bass, oboe, French horn and viola. CALOS provides high quality, enriching and accessible ensemble experiences with conductors and coaching faculty from the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and Memorial University, as well as public, competitive, and outreach performance opportunities for its membership.  

Our Mission: The mission of Calos Youth Orchestras is to encourage and develop the musical and social abilities of young people who have the desire and potential to play and participate in accessible high quality orchestra and ensemble programs.  

Our History: Founded by Dr. Peter Gardner in 1981, CALOS (formerly the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra) has a history of developing the musical talent of young instrumental musicians in our province and producing leaders in the global music community.  Since its existence, CALOS has shared the joy and discipline of orchestral music making with over 500 young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Many of our alumni have gone to play with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and other professional orchestras and ensembles across the continent and around the world. Some of CALOS' well-known performing alumni are Mark Fewer (violin, St. Lawrence String Quartet), Sean Rice (clarinet, National Arts Centre Orchestra), Heather Tuach (cello, Fitzwilliam String Quartet), Lynn Kuo (violin, assistant concertmaster of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra), Rafael Hoekman (cello, Calgary Philharmonic), Jennie Press (violin, Vancouver Symphony), Greg Hawco (composer, Republic of Doyle), Romano DiNillo (percussionist, WICKED The Musical), Joshua Ward and Romesh Thavanthan (Hey Rosetta!), Andrew Dale (The Once), Kellie Walsh (Artistic Director, Lady Cove Women’s Choir & Shallaway) and Heather Kao (Concertmaster of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra).  Even those who have not followed a career in music have been enriched by the musical, cultural, and social experiences that playing in a youth orchestra offers.