The Youth Symphony of the Southwest was founded in 2006 for the express purpose of supporting and fostering the highest quality music education and to inspire and nurture the love of symphonic repertoire by offering hands-on experience to qualified young musicians from 14 through age 20.
Under the direction of Cal Stewart Kellogg, Conductor of Symphony of the Southwest and West Valley Symphony, musicians are offered an opportunity to join their peers for a year of intensive practical orchestra training and music performances, including side-by-side performance opportunities with Symphony of the Southwest.
YSSW performs works from the standard orchestra repertoire. Over the last three years the orchestra has played, among other works, Brahms Symphony No.2, Franck Symphony in D minor, Schumann Symphony No.4, Beethoven Leonore Overture No. 3, La Forza del Destino Overture, Pictures at an Exhibition and The Planets.
Young performers gain the value of dedication, teamwork and the desire to strive for excellence in music.
Cal Stewart Kellogg