Carolina Youth Symphony
The Carolina Youth Symphony is the second oldest youth symphony in America. Sponsored by Furman University and unaffiliated with any school district, participation in CYS is open to anyone, with no geographical restrictions.
CYS had its beginnings in 1955 when Greenville music-lover Miss Rita May Baker founded what she called "The Little Symphony," a group of young musicians supported by the Crescent Music Club and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. The group expanded each year both in numbers and performances, until in 1976 the Crescent Youth Symphony became Carolina Youth Symphony, an independent, non-profit regional youth orchestra under the direction of Dr. Robert Chesebro, Professor of Music at Furman University, and Principal Clarinetist for the Greenville Symphony.
CYS has matured into three orchestras made up of students representing over sixty different schools and communities in the Upstate South Carolina Area, a conducting and administrative staff of 5 (including Furman University student interns), over 200 member musicians, and a Board of Directors of 20 members. Dr. Les Hicken and Mr. James Kilgus conducting.
CYS performs five formal concerts a year, in addition to chamber ensemble performances and concerts on tour. During the 2003-2004 Season, CYS presented formal concerts conducted by Dr. Leslie Hicken. CYS performed at the Peace Center, under the leadership of Dr. Hicken and in April of 2001, 2004, and 2007, the Carolina Youth Symphony performed on stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City under the baton of Dr. Hicken.
Each year CYS builds on its impressive list of accomplishments. Orchestra members consistently win chairs in All-State Bands and Orchestras, solo competitions, and scholarships for summer music studies at the South Carolina Governors School, Interlochen, Brevard, Aspen, Tanglewood, and Furman University. Graduates of CYS have won scholarships at universities nationwide. CYS awards yearly orchestra member tuition grants, prizes for winners of our annual Concerto Competition, sponsored by Carolina First Bank, and summer Music camp scholarships to its members.