Central Illinois Youth Symphony: Home

Central Illinois Youth Symphony P.O. Box 908, Morton, IL 61550 1-888-218-4650

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The Central Illinois Youth Symphony Organization

CIYS is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to fulfilling the need for a superior musical organization which will
challenge, educate and stimulate the advanced students of music in the Central Illinois Area.

A Brief History

Founded in the fall of 1965 by visionary music educators from the Central Illinois area, the Central Illinois Youth Symphony organization has grown from a single orchestra to encompass three orchestras, a percussion ensemble, a brass ensemble, a flute choir, a clarinet choir, and two string quartets.

Central Illinois Youth Symphony
Established in 1965 and consisting of the most experienced musicians in our organization. Students generally range in age from sixth grade through high school. CIYS members enjoy the enrichment and challenge of performing with other serious and dedicated musicians. It has a history of presenting exciting repertoire and each season of fine performances is highly anticipated.

The Central Illinois Concert Orchestra

In 1970 a need was recognized to expand the musical opportunities offered by the CIYS and to provide a symphonic experience for intermediate middle and high school players. Central Illinois Concert Orchestra, or CICO, performs full orchestral repertoire, while refining technique. Concert Orchestra is designed as a preparatory group for the Youth Symphony as well as being a fine youth orchestra in its own right.

The Central Illinois Youth Symphony Organization is proud to be a part of the Central Illinois culture and youth music opportunity.

The Central Illinois Prep Orchestra

In 1995 our PREP Orchestra was formed to meet the needs of young musicians in their first advanced setting. PREP is designed for string players that have at least one year of playing on their instrument but have little or no experience playing in an ensemble. The students will work on note reading and rhythm patterns and develop confidence and listening ability.

Central Illinois Percussion Ensemble

The Central Illinois Percussion Ensemble consists of percussionists from both the CIYS and the CICO Orchestras and was formed during the 1997-1998 season. The mission is for students to perform percussion ensemble literature that not only showcases the percussion section and its players, but allows them to enhance their performing abilities.

Central Illinois Brass Ensemble
Central Illinois Flute Choir
Central Illinois Clarinet Choir

Formed in January 2006 and January of 2008 , these ensembles provide additional educational and enrichment opportunities for the brass, flute and clarinet students participating in CICO and CIYS as well as local students not currently playing in either orchestra. Serving as another performance option for these musicians and showcasing their talents, these ensembles help students transition from playing in a symphonic band to playing in a symphony orchestra.

Central Illinois Honors String Quartets

The Quartets are formed from the top string players. These ensembles give the organization's most advanced players further enrichment and provide additional performance experiences.

Learn more about our history

Endowment and Scholarship Funds

The Szepessy Foundation is established to provide funds for furthering the music education of members of the Central Illinois Youth Symphony Organization. Contributors to the foundation, giving either an individual or corporate gift or a donation as a memorial, will be acknowledged in the CIYS programs and will become a permanent part of the foundation. The principal remains part of the foundation with only the interest being used.

To find out more about becoming a contributor, click here.

Music Collections

Music collections have been established to enhance the music library and recognize special music patrons. We invite memorials, individual or collective contributions for the purchase of music. Each piece of music will bear the name of the person or group designated in the donation, and the concert programs will show an acknowledgment of the contributor. Current collections include:

The CIYS Parent Group Collection
The Robert L. Epstein Collection
The Mary Hartman Collection
Alumni Music Fund

CIYS violist

This program is partially sponsored by a grant from the
Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the
Community Foundation of Central Illinois.

This program has been made possible by a grant from the
Russell F. & Eleanor Sikes Peters Performing Arts Fund
of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois.

The Small Ensembles are partially supported by a grant from the
Morton Community Foundation.

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The information presented throughtout this web site is provided by the web site administrator "as is" and without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including (but not limited to) any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for any particular purpose, or non-infringement. While the information provided is believed to be accurate, it may include errors or inaccuracies.