Symphony Orchestra in Kansas City

Our Orchestras

Hear the future now

Hear the future now

Symphony Orchestra

Conductor – Steven D. Davis

Our Symphony Orchestra is an advanced full orchestra in our Senior School. The Symphony Orchestra performs standard orchestral repertoire from the Late Romantic period onwards.

Historical performance highlights include international tours to Europe as well as performances at Carnegie Hall. In September 2011, the Symphony Orchestra gave the first free public performance at Helzberg Hall at the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on its opening day. During the 2012-2013 season, the ensemble was selected to perform for the Missouri Music Education Association’s 75th Annual In-Service Workshop/Conference in Osage Beach, Mo.

 

In 2013-2014, Symphony Orchestra performed at the Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop and in December 2014, the orchestra performed at the Midwest Clinic – International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, Ill.

Musicians accepted into Symphony and Classical Orchestra are eligible to also participate in YSKC’s Touring Orchestra.

Historical Touring Orchestra highlights include performances across Ireland in 2016 and in 2018 in Austria as a part of Youth Symphony of Kansas City’s 60th Anniversary Season. In 2023, the Orchestra performed Respighi’s “Pines of Rome” and Stolzel’s “City Beautiful” at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Highlights

Creativity takes Community

Grow together

Meet Steve Davis

Conductor Steven D. Davis is a lauded, versatile, and cosmopolitan conductor who has inspired ensembles around the world. In constant demand as a guest conductor, he has conducted across four continents, working with ensembles in cities such as Bangkok, Beijing, Lisbon, Sydney, and regularly conducts in his favorite city, Kansas City.

Davis has worked to break down barriers as a conductor by leading performances across many genres. He has been celebrated as a conductor of wind ensembles, orchestras, opera, ballet, and cutting-edge new music ensembles, in addition to conducting symphonic repertoire of historically significant composers.

Learn More About Prof. Davis

 

From the Musicians

"I have been in this program for 7 years, and each Sunday I look forward to playing amazing pieces with the most advanced student musicians Kansas City has to offer. It is important to have creative inspiration in one’s music career, and YSKC is the perfect motivating source."

Carter Medina

Orchestra:

Symphony Orchestra

Favorite Color:

Pink!

Instrument Played:

Cello

Involvement in YSKC:

2015-2024

Youth Symphony of Kansas City

Upcoming Performances

Youth Symphony of Kansas City Chamber Showcase!

5519 State Park Rd, Fairway, KS 66205
View Details for Youth Symphony of Kansas City Chamber Showcase!
Mar 26
Tue, 7:00 PM
2024

Youth Symphony of Kansas City’s Spring Concerts – Afternoon Session

Youth Symphony of Kansas City’s Spring Concerts – Evening Session

Pink shape graphic

Ready to join YSKC? 

View our 2024/2025 audition information to learn more!

Audition Information

About YSKC

YSKC was founded as The Youth Symphony of the Heart of America by Leo Scheer consisting of an orchestra of 80 musicians, 22 and younger. Incorporated in 1958, YSKC has enjoyed a vibrant history as the musical home to students in Kansas City. Today, the Youth Symphony of Kansas City serves more than 400 musicians in grades 5-12 and is comprised of four full orchestras, a preparatory strings ensemble, multiple ancillary programs, the Opus 76 Quartet Residency, and our new YSKC Academy program. Throughout its 65 years of programming, YSKC has built an alumni class of more than 10,000, completed international tours to Austria, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, and performed at numerous prestigious festivals and conferences nationwide.

History & Mission