Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestras
Providing young musicians with life-changing musical and education opportunities
For Current MembersOur Purpose
The Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestras exist to deeply enrich the lives of students in our community through incredible musical experiences.
We go beyond the classroom to include performance practice expertise and unique concert opportunities that prepare our young musicians for collegiate and semi-professional orchestras.
Our programs offer multiple concerts hosted at the Gaillard Center, side-by-side performance opportunities with the Charleston Symphony, regular sectionals with the CSO's Core musicians, a concerto competition, masterclasses, chamber music instruction, student-centered community events, and so much more.
Three Distinct Programs
Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO) is a full symphony composed of highly skilled middle and high school musicians performing the great symphonic masterworks. The CSYO is led by Charleston Symphony Assistant Conductor Ryo Hasegawa.
Although subject to change, the CSYO typically rehearses weekly on Sundays from 4:30-7:00pm at the Allegro Charter School of Music. Activities throughout the season include a concerto competition, regular sectionals with Charleston Symphony musicians, community events, and five performances.
In the FY26 season, the CSYO joined the Charleston Symphony on the Masterworks stage while led by world-renowned conductor, Keitaro Harada, to perform Shostakovich's Festival Overture!
Watch Impact Video
To meet growing demand, the CSO has expanded its Youth Orchestras program to include a third ensemble. The Charleston Symphony Youth Philharmonic (CSYP) is a full-symphonic ensemble that bridges the gap between the Youth Sinfonietta and the Youth Orchestra. The CSYP is led by Charleston Symphony Assistant Conductor Ryo Hasegawa.
Designed for advancing middle and high school students, members of the Youth Philharmonic will perform standard orchestral repertoire while developing their technical, musical, and ensemble skills.
Through weekly rehearsals, sectional coachings, and public performances, students gain valuable orchestral experience in a challenging and supportive environment as they prepare for future participation in the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Charleston Symphony Youth Sinfonietta (CSYS) is an intermediate string and symphonic ensemble designed to help musicians develop ensemble and performance skills in preparation for the Youth Orchestra. A sinfonietta (sin-foe-NEE-yet-tuh) is an orchestra or orchestral work of smaller proportions than a full symphony. The CSYS is led by Conductor Jessica Zhou Seymour.
Sinfonietta students perform string and symphonic repertoire throughout the season. Students are expected to have the excellent position, left-hand and right-hand skills, and strong reading skills to perform various rhythms with good intonation.
Although subject to change, the CSYS typically rehearses weekly on Sundays from 2:00-4:00pm at the Allegro Charter School of Music and activities include four concerts throughout the season.
Audition for the 2026-27 Season
Important Dates
Now accepting applications on a rolling basis. We are looking to enroll all instruments except for the Clarinet, Tuba, and Timpani, as those positions have already been filled.
Contact RJ Grant, our Education and Community Engagement Coordinator with any questions.
Review requirements and apply for open positions.
Meet Youth Orchestra Conductor Ryo Hasegawa
Charleston Symphony Assistant Conductor Ryo Hasegawa leads our Youth Orchestra and Youth Philharmonic, playing a vital role in expanding our educational and community engagement initiatives. Under his leadership, the CSYO made its Carnegie Hall debut in February 2025.
Meet Youth Sinfonietta Conductor Jessica Zhou Seymour
A dedicated educator and leader of youth orchestras across the Lowcountry, Jessica Zhou Seymour leads our Youth Sinfonietta. She also serves as Orchestra Director at the Allegro Charter School of Music and is a Lead Director of the Charleston County School District Orchestra programs.
Real Impact
Hear from the students who have benefitted from their youth orchestra experiences.
This is more than an orchestra.
- Sanjana Gangaraju, Violin (CSYO)Working with Charleston Symphony musicians like Ben and Damian really pushed me to the next level.
- Ian Ostrander, Cello (CSYO)The opportunity to play at the Gaillard and alongside professional musicians has been incredible.
- Laci Pirraglia, Viola (CSYO)
