The Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestras form an organization (the CYSO) which provides a wholesome and stimulating environment for talented and gifted young musicians. An emphasis is placed on creating an atmosphere that encourages, challenges and develops their fullest potential in the art of performance. Participants benefit from a year-long program designed to nurture their enjoyment of music as well as develop their musical skills and self-confidence. This program consists of a balance of rehearsals, sectional coaching sessions, retreats, and concerts.
Debbie Montague, Chair
Laura Mork, Secretary
Skip Aagaard,
Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair
Craig Gill, Chair-Elect
Merry Tourtelot,
Communications Committee Chair
Gerry Jon Marsh, Chair
Colleen Armstrong,
Former Chief of Staff, Seattle Opera
Scott Barnes, Music Educator
Steve Fissel,
Bass Trombonist, Seattle Symphony
Dave Hutchinson,
Mayor, Lake Forest Park
Ken Noreen, Retired Music Educator
Gerard Schwarz,
Music Director, Seattle Symphony
Ken Shubert,
Attorney, Garvey Schubert Barer
David Endicott, Executive Director
(206) 409-3275
Gerry Marsh, Music Director
(206) 819-0067
Mary Takle, Operations Supervisor
(206) 417-5677
The CYSO was founded in 1976 as a youth extension of the adult Cascade Symphony Orchestra, headquartered in Edmonds, Washington. By 1985, when Gerry Jon Marsh took over as Musical Director, the orchestra was operating independently from the Cascade Symphony. The organization grew under Gerry's leadership and in 1986 a second orchestra, the Cascade Junior Symphony, was formed as a preparatory group. However, continued growth and improvement in both orchestras created the need for additional preparatory orchestras. In 1990, the Sinfonette, was started for young string players and in 1991 the Wind Sinfonette was formed to complement the Sinfonette, making this beginning group fully capable of orchestral performances, as well as chamber and small ensemble work. Again in 1995, because of the growth in membership and the increase in talent, another orchestra (The Premiere Orchestra) was added. This group provided a transition group for musicians that were beyond the beginning stages but not yet ready for the advanced work now being done by both the Cascade Junior Symphony and the Cascade Youth Symphony. Our latest addition is a Preparatory Strings group to discover and encourage new string players.
The CYSO provides two additional instrumental programs to musicians in the North King and South Snohomish counties. The first is its Summer Sounds program which provides an opportunity to participate in orchestral and small ensemble groups outside of the school year. The second is the CYSO's International Concert Tours program. This program was started in 1990 and is run every three years.
CYSO owns an extensive library of orchestral works including student arrangements, chamber pieces, concerti and major symphonic works. Each year we add new purchases to this library, and in addition to drawing on it for our performances, we frequently lend these works to schools and other organizations in the area.
Our academic year begins in September with auditions for Youth, Junior, Premiere and Sinfonette. These groups begin weekly rehearsals in mid September. Preparatory strings has no auditions and starts the first week of November. There are five concerts each year: the Youth Symphony performs two concerts, held in November and February; the Junior Symphony and Premiere Orchestra perform joint concerts in November and February with the Sinfonette joining in at the February concert. All four groups perform in early May. Preparatory Strings has its own concert in May.
The Summer Sounds camps are scheduled in late July and early August with each week of camp providing five full days of rehearsal with coaching and a concluding concert on Friday evening.
In addition to the rehearsal and concert events, the Youth Symphony holds a weekend retreat at Warm Beach Camp in January, and the Junior and Premiere groups have all-day Saturday retreat in November. The Sinfonette group has an all day retreat in January. These retreats are essential to prepare the students for their most challenging performances and attendance is mandatory.
Cascade Youth Symphony is organized as a private non-profit organization incorporated in the city of Edmonds, Washington. We are recognized by the IRS as complying with section 501(c)(3). Our tax identification number is 91-0987047. As such, donations to CYSO are tax deductible to the full extent provided by law. If you would like to contribute to the organization, please contact our office.
