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About GDYO

mission:

The Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, Inc., whose mission is to provide music education and performance opportunities for musically talented youth, was founded as a single orchestra, the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, in 1972 by a group of parents and educators who valued music education and the outcomes it could provide.

The Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, Inc. is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to providing music education and performance opportunities for musically talented youth.

The Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra program cultivates learning, creative, social and motivational skills. Over 400 talented musicians perform in seven ensembles and socialize with a diverse group of highly talented peers from more than 50 communities. Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra musicians also interact with professionals from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Wind Symphony and other local ensembles.

GDYO Programs:

GDYO History

1970s

  • Founded 1972, one orchestra, 35 musicians

1980s

  • Richard Giangiulio named Music Director 1980
  • Growth to three orchestras:
    1. The Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra
    2. The Dallas Junior Symphony
    3. The Dallas String Ensemble
  • Membership includes 170 musicians from 68 schools, and 18 districts
  • Administration includes part-time Secretary, Librarian and Stage Manager
  • First full-time Executive Director hired
  • Young Performers Orchestra founded, a beginning level string ensemble for children ages 5-9
  • Move to first permanent home, Sammons Center for the Arts, providing office, rehearsal and recital space
  • First full-time Orchestra Manager/Librarian hired

1990s

  • Meyerson Concert Series initiated with 4 full-length formal concerts in the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
  • John Sharp, principal cellist Chicago Symphony Orchestra, performs as Guest Soloist with the GDYO
  • Membership in mid 90’s includes 267 students representing 132 schools and 34 communities
  • Texas Boys Choir joins the GDYO on a Mother’s Day Concert at the Meyerson
  • FIRST TOUR, France and Switzerland, June 1994
  • SECOND TOUR, France June, 1996.
  • Dallas Symphony Music Director Andrew Litton begins annual guest conducting relationship
  • Fall, 1997, the Fifth orchestra, the Sinfonietta, is added to the program.  Enrollment grows to 335
  • THIRD TOUR, England and Scotland, June 1998.
  • Fall, 1999, a sixth ensemble, The Wind Symphony is added to the program under the direction of David Kehler. Total enrollment grows to 365.

2000s

  • The GDYO participates in the American Symphony Orchestra League’s National Youth Orchestra Festival.
  • DSO Composer-in-Residence Lowell Liebermann conducts his composition Kontrapunktus with the GDYO
  • FOURTH TOUR, Germany and Czech Republic, June 2001
  • 2002 30th Anniversary Season includes guest soloists Terrence Wilson, Cho-Liang Lin, & Ko Iwasaki
  • GDYO accompanies Sidney Poitier and others in Dallas Center for Performing Arts Gala
  • Orchestras perform for Texas Association for Symphony Orchestras and Texas Bandmasters Association
  • Wind Symphony performs first ever Side-by-Side Concert with Dallas Wind Symphony
  • FIFTH TOUR, Germany, Poland & Czech Republic, June 2004
  • Alumnus Jun Iwasaki performs Brahms Violin Concerto in “Homecoming” Concert
  • SIXTH TOUR, China & Hong Kong, June 2007 with Alessio Bax piano soloist
  • December 2007, GDYO performs 9th annual Holiday Magic concert with Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas
  • WIND SYMPHONY MAKES FIRST INTERNATIONAL TOUR, China, June 2008
  • Flute Choir formed, total enrollment 425

2010s

  • GDYO celebrates 40th Anniversary Season during 2011-12, total enrollment 440
  • SEVENTH TOUR, Germany & Czech Republic, June 2012
TACA TCA OCA Richardson Arts Commission