Reflecting on 50 years of the Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra – WABE

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, the city’s ensemble of extraordinary classical instrumentalists aged 13 to 18.

You may be surprised to learn that the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra itself was once a youth ensemble, which later evolved into the internationally renowned orchestra we know today.

Young musicians who perform with the Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra have access to rare mentorship opportunities from master musicians, and several alumni have gone on to perform and hold leadership roles within the ASO.

To reflect on the past 50 years of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes spoke with former ASYO music director and distinguished cellist Jere Flint, as well as ASO cellist and former ASYO member Ray Kim.