Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony

Formed in 1976 and initially known as the Springfield Area Youth Symphony, the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony provides the only opportunity for an orchestral experience at the elementary and secondary school levels in Sangamon County. The Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony was created by parents, music teachers and musicians to keep a student orchestra program alive after the Springfield area schools eliminated all orchestra classes in the 1970s. Without intervention, a new generation of youth would have experienced a serious void in the arts.

SVYS is a comprehensive program that takes students from the very beginning of music study all the way through high school. We offer full orchestras, string-only ensembles, and chamber music groups. We also offer the Sangamon Valley Civic Orchestra for avocational adult musicians in the community.