The Springfield Youth Symphony (SYS)
Under the direction of James Ledbetter, this ensemble is comprised of 65-75 junior and senior high school musicians from over 25 different schools and home schools in Clark, Champaign, Logan, Greene, Miami, Franklin, and Montgomery counties.

The SYS provides one of the few opportunities in this area for young musicians to play in a full orchestral setting. Each season features several concerts and weekly rehearsals in the professional environment of the Kuss Auditorium at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.

Highlights of the Springfield Youth Symphony season include:
• A Side-by-Side weekend, with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO), which includes master classes, mentoring, and a concert in the Kuss Auditorium.
• Sectional coaching by members of the SSO.
• Chamber music opportunities with a Brass Choir and Woodwind Quintet, newly formed during the 2006-2007 season. Both groups are featured in numerous performances throughout the school year and will continue performing into the summer. The formation of string and percussion groups will begin during the 2007-2008 season.
• Master class opportunities with SSO guest artists.
• Project Protégé, a program in which select SYS string players are invited to perform with the Springfield Symphony during a subscription concert.
• A Concerto Competition for SYS seniors. The winner performs a solo with the SSO during the Side-by-Side concert.
• Collaborative opportunities to enhance each student's participation in the arts. During the 2006-2007 season, the Youth Orchestra program participated in exciting collaborations with the National Trail Parks and Recreation District, The Gary Geis Dance Company, and the Clark State Community College Theater Program.

The Youth String Ensemble and Youth Chamber Orchestra


The 2006-2007 Springfield Youth String Ensemble


The Youth Chamber Orchestra in one of three 2006-2007 performances.

The SSO has further enhanced the educational opportunities of young area musicians by providing beginning and intermediate ensembles just for stringed instrument players. These two groups are designed to improve the skills of young string players, and give them an orchestral experience that they may not be getting in their schools.

Both groups rehearse weekly in the professional environment of the Turner Studio Theater at the Clark State Performing Arts Center. Each season includes several concerts, and sectional coaching from Springfield Symphony Orchestra musicians.

Opportunities for the 2008-2009 season include being a part of the SYS/SSO Side by Side weekend in a performance on the Kuss Auditorium stage, and collaborations with other Springfield arts groups.