About Us

Mission

The mission of the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County is to provide exceptional music education and performing experiences through youth development and community engagement while cultivating an appreciation of classical music within the community.

An Unparalleled Music Program for Kids of All Ages

Nearly 200 musicians, ages seven to 22, are currently members of Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County (YOPBC) Each member must audition for a spot with YOPBC and those who are selected are placed in one of YOPBC’s four orchestras.

The orchestras are:

• Training for beginning strings only
• String for intermediate-level strings musicians
• Symphony– for advanced intermediate full orchestra (all instruments)
• Philharmonic – for the most advanced full orchestra members who wish play professional-level repertoire
• Chamber Ensembles – for musicians who wish to play chamber music in addition to YOPBC standard repertoire. There are five chamber ensembles (string, woodwind, saxophone, brass, and percussion)

Rehearsals are held for all orchestras and chamber ensembles on Sunday afternoons at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach from August to May each season. YOPBC orchestras perform throughout Palm Beach County. YOPBC also offers Summer Music Day Camp, held the second and third week of July, for all levels of musicians. For our very youngest musicians, ages 5-8, we offer our newest summer program, Mini Mozart Camp, the second and third week of June.

A large part of what makes YOPBC programs so successful is the highly qualified staff of credentialed music educators who teach, conduct and truly understand how to enliven young minds with hands-on learning through music.

History

Established as a nonprofit organization in 1993, with support from the Junior League of Boca Raton, YOPBC debuted to the public in 1994, at the annual “Spotlight on Young Musicians” concert held at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

Since its earliest days, YOPBC has provided high-quality music instruction and performing opportunities to young musicians from throughout Palm Beach County. Gaining visibility every year, YOPBC is highly respected in the community as a longstanding cultural arts organization.

Who We Serve

Since its inception, YOPBC has welcomed children from all socio-economic groups, with approximately 25 percent from low-to-moderate income households. Believing that music education should be available to all, YOPBC provides merit and need-based scholarships. No child is turned away from YOPBC because of the inability to pay.

Our Board of Directors, Parent Association, and artistic staff are committed to providing music training at a minimal cost to the young musicians. We depend on donations, sponsorships and grant funding to support our daily operation. Our board members and parents volunteer hundreds of hours to make the organization run smoothly.

YOPBC Alumni

Many of our early members are now professional musicians performing as members of some the world’s most prestigious orchestras, chamber ensembles, jazz ensembles, and bands. Other graduates are now lawyers, engineers, business leaders and teachers. Recent graduates are currently enrolled in some of the finest colleges, universities, schools of music and music conservatories in the nation. Whatever direction their lives may take, we are proud to provide our musicians with the thrill of performing great music as members of the YOPBC.