SMYO, a program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, is a community based,tuition-free, 100+ member youth orchestra, committed to providing Santa Monica’selementary, middle, and high school students with the opportunity to encountermusic, mature musically, expand their social horizons and develop their academicpotential. Inspired by the El Sistema model, the orchestra strives to encouragecross-cultural understanding, cooperation, and peer mentorship among itsparticipants.