Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra
Events & News
Sign up for Session 3!
Rehearsals start Sunday, April 6, 2025
Registration will remain open and students may join through the third rehearsal of each session. Auditions will be arranged on a case by case basis once registration is received.
*There are no auditions for Summer Session.
MAYSO Winter Concerts
Saturday, March 8, 2025 | 1:00 PM
Tri-City United High School
700 4th St NW, Montgomery, MN 56069
Sunday, March 9, 2025 | 5:00 P.M.
Mankato East High School
2600 Hoffman Road, Mankato, MN 56001
Previous Events
Fall Concerts: A World Imagined
Featuring the premiere of Steampunk Suite for Orchestra by Dr. Erika Svanoe.
Saturday, November 9
New Ulm High School | 2:00pm
Sunday, November 10
Dakota Meadows Middle School | 3:00pm
Winter Concerts: Symphonic Delights
Saturday, March 9, 2024 | 2:00 PM
Waseca Junior/Senior High School
1717 Second St NW
Waseca, MN 56093
Sunday, March 10, 2024 | 3:00 P.M.
Mankato East High School
2600 Hoffmann Road
Mankato, MN 56001
Mission Statement
The mission of the Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra is to educate young musicians in a professional symphonic atmosphere, to give opportunity to perform a wide variety of symphonic music, and to provide a variety of music education formats. It is our purpose to help prepare the young musician for participation in the world of symphonic music, either as a professional musician or as a patron of the arts.
The Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra has been presenting concerts in our communities and teaching students since 1963.
We now offer several unique opportunities for students to play music including the Youth Symphony Orchestra, Youth Philharmonic, North Star Strings, Chamber Orchestra, and Summer Pops Orchestra.
Ensembles
North Star Strings (NSS) is our introductory strings only orchestra. The goal of this ensemble is to introduce students to ensemble playing and help develop note reading. Students in this orchestra should have a minimum of 1 year of private lessons, should be able to read music, and are typically in grades 3-8. All students who apply are accepted into this ensemble.
Youth Philharmonic* (YP) is our intermediate ensemble open to string, wind, and percussion students. YP students can expect to see more challenging key signatures (up to 4 flats or sharps) and challenging rhythms. String players can expect to shift into higher positions. These students will typically have between 3-6 years of experience on their instrument, have prior ensemble experience, and are typically in grades 6-9. *YP is not being offered for the 2024-2025 season.
Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO) is our most advanced ensemble offered to wind, percussion, and string musicians. YSO students will typically have 4 or more years of experience on their instrument, have prior ensemble experience, and are typically in grades 9-12. Repertoire for YSO will be selected from advanced high school or introductory collegiate level works.