Mission: For almost 40 years, the Metropolitan Youth Symphony has provided unique opportunities to young musicians in the Valley.

Target demographics: Educate young instrumental musicians through the 12th grade in the art of symphonic performance through the use of the world's finest music to develop character, discipline, leadership, cultural awareness, and a strong commitment to excellence; thus, enabling MYS to contribute to the Valley of the Sun’s rich cultural heritage and create a higher level of appreciation for the performing arts.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 300+ musicians and families

Geographic areas served: Phoenix Metropolitan Area

Programs: MYS provides musical training for serious young musicians with a variety of performances and programs. MYS is one of the oldest valley youth music programs.
•Setting high standards in repertoire and performance level
•Educating talented and committed students in a professional style orchestra
•Amazing audiences with high caliber performances
•Giving proven young musicians the opportunity to advance to the next level with conductor recommendations Founded in 1982, Metropolitan Youth Symphony (MYS) is one of the valley’s finest youth orchestra education programs. MYS is dedicated to professional orchestral training for students. Students come from all over the Phoenix Metropolitan area and from a wide variety of economic and cultural backgrounds to play in MYS orchestras. While many of our students hail from the Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler suburbs, some are from as far away as Peoria, Paradise Valley, Apache Junction, and San Tan Valley. Every week these students spend Thursdays studying and playing fantastic music with some of the finest conductors and music educators in Arizona. In addition to our fine orchestral program, we offer a fiddlers program for our Division I and II members. The MYS Fiddlers perform at public and private functions throughout the valley and at our final MYS concert in the Mesa Arts Center.