The Connecticut Youth Symphony

Dr. Daniel D'Addio, Music Director and Conductor
Mickey Reisman, Assistant Conductor

CYS performs high-level symphonic literature for advanced high-school string, wind and percussion students. Past repertoire includes music by De Falla, Beethoven, Gershwin, Hanson, Dvorak and Mendelssohn. New works are also being commissioned specifically for this ensemble including David Macbride's Give Back Peace for orchestra and chorus, premiered in 2005. CYS maintains an active performance schedule, including side by side concerts with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and annual performances at First Night Hartford, the region's main activity for bringing in each new year held in downtown Hartford. In June 2006, CYS performed as the "pit orchestra" for a dance performance at the Belding Theatre.

CYS Concerto Competition

Each year, the school holds a concerto competition for CYS students. The competition is open to CYS members on their orchestral instrument. Every other year, this invitation is extended to high school pianists who study privately in our school. The winner will perform one movement of their prepared solo with the orchestra at the spring concert which will be recorded. On occasion, there is a second place winner chosen to prepare their solo with the orchestra for a recording session only. All students must have their solo approved by Dan D'Addio, director of CYS, to ensure that their concerto is appropriate for the orchestra. Additionally, pianists are required to get a written recommendation from their private lesson teacher.Current Students - Click here for the CYS Handbook and Performance Calendar

Auditions and Rehearsals

Auditions are held each September. To schedule an audition click here , or contact the Hartt Community Division office to request more information about this ensemble, at 860-768-4451 or at harttcomm@hartford.edu . Our ensembles are open to all eligible students regardless of where they study privately. Our private lesson students get free tuition for large ensembles. All other students pay the standard tuition rates .

The ensemble is held each year from September to June. Rehearsals are on Sundays from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. with some sectionals from 1-2pm at The Hartt School in Bliss Music Room on the second floor of the building. Concerts and other events are posted on the CYS Schedule.

Past Repertoire performed by the Connecticut Youth Symphony