Corvallis Youth Symphony

History
The Corvallis Youth Symphony (CYS) was founded in 1982 by Charles Creighton to provide talented students with musical experiences to enhance and extend music education in the schools. Beginning that year with forty-four students from two local high schools, CYS has since grown to over seventy students from schools throughout the mid-Willamette Valley and the central coast.

Training
CYS students receive exceptional orchestral training. CYS conductor, Jason Duckles, selects classical repertoire that will challenge and inspire students. Several times a year, sectional rehearsals are held (i.e., each section of the orchestra rehearses by itself) and for these rehearsals, professional musicians from Oregon orchestras and faculty from area music schools are brought in to coach the students.

Performances
The CYS season typically includes two formal concerts at the LaSells Stewart Center and a Classical Cabaret pops concert at Ashbrook School Theater.

CYS will have performances on these dates:

December 7, 2025: CYS Winter Concert, 4pm at LaSells (Rehearsal 12:00-1:00pm)
January 31 2026: CYS Classical Cabaret, 7:00pm at Ashbrook Independent School(Rehearsal 5:30pm)
April 26, 2026: CYS Spring Concert, 4pm at LaSells (Rehearsal 12:00-1:00pm)

CYS Membership Requirements

Membership in the CYS requires membership in the student’s school or district band or orchestra class.
Each member must agree to abide by the attendance policy. A high quality ensemble requires a commitment of faithful attendance and industrious concentration at each rehearsal. Illness is excused; homework is not. Students who might have school conflicts (sports or school activities) need to carefully study their calendars to determine the seriousness of conflicts. If your conflict requires you to miss a concert, dress rehearsal, or several rehearsals, you should not participate in CYS this season.
CYS members are required to participate in and sell tickets ($150+) for the annual Classical Cabaret fundraiser. Parents/guardians of CYS members are expected to contribute volunteer time toward Classical Cabaret.
Parents/Guardians of CYS members are expected to contribute volunteer time toward CYS throughout the year.
Tuition for CYS is $700 due at the first rehearsal. Need-based scholarships are available upon application (email cysassoc@peak.org for an application).

Important CYS 2025-2026 Dates (Attendance Mandatory)

September 7, 2025: CYS Parent Meeting (7:00-8:00pm), Zoom
September 8, 2025: First CYS rehearsal (6:30-9pm)
December 3, 2025: Dress rehearsal at LaSells Stewart Center, 7-9pm
December 7, 2025: CYS Winter Concert, 4pm at LaSells Stewart Center at OSU (Rehearsal 12:00-1:00pm)
No CYS rehearsal from December 8-January 4 for Winter Break
January 5, 2026: CYS re-starts
January 31, 2026: CYSA Classical Cabaret, 7:00pm
April 22, 2026: Dress rehearsal at LaSells Stewart Center, 7-9pm
April 26, 2026: CYS Spring Concert, 4pm at LaSells (Rehearsal 12:00-1:00pm)

CYS Audition Sign-Up for 2025-2026 can be found HERE.

Rehearsals
Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00pm. Rehearsals begin on Monday, September 8, 2025 and continue through the end of April 2026.

Fees
Tuition for the 2025-2026 year is $700. Parents can pay tuition (by check, card, or cash) the night of the first rehearsal.

To mail a check:
Make the check out to CYSA, include your student's name and "CYS" in the Memo. Mail to:
Corvallis Youth Symphony Association
P.O. Box 857
Corvallis, OR 97339

Financial aid is available for families with demonstrated need (application required).