CSO to Hold Instrument 'Petting Zoo', Other Events for Landmark 30th Season, Today

September 14, 2015 - Chattanooga, TN - The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Youth Orchestras (CSOYO) are celebrating 30 years of instructing and inspiring young musicians in the Chattanooga area. In the Fall of 1985, the CSO Youth Orchestras were "born". There had been earlier manifestations of a youth orchestra in Chattanooga, but for several years had been nonexistent. With the merger of the Chattanooga Symphony and the Chattanooga Opera, there was new energy and enthusiasm for a rebirth of an orchestra for young people under the auspices of the newly created CSO. Thanks to the leadership of Mary Barker, Linda Pennebaker, Kay Smith, Sandy Morris, and Linda Thompson, the orchestra was organized and launched on its 30-year adventure. Conductors include Orlo Gilbert, Philip Rice, Jay Craven, David Conn, and Gary Wilkes, who is serving in his 23rd year as Music Director and Conductor.

The CSOYO will kick-off their 30th anniversary with youth performances and an instrument petting zoo during Park(ing) Day on Friday, September 18th. The CSOYO park will be located on Market Street between MLK and 8th Streets. They will have mini cupcakes to hand out to visitors while supplies last, and students will perform from 11am-1pm. The instrument petting zoo will be available from 10am-3pm.

The CSOYO also hopes to reach out to the many alumni, former Board members, staff members, and conductors of the youth orchestras from the past 30 years. If you are a CSOYO alumnus, please contact them through the website at www.csoyo.chattanoogasymphony.org. More 30th anniversary events will be listed on their website as they are announced.

About Us

The mission of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera is to inspire, engage, and enrich the greater Chattanooga community through music and music education. The 2015/16 season marks 83 seasons for the CSO, which played its first concert on November 5, 1933. The CSO, conducted by Music Director Kayoko Dan, consists of top players from the Chattanooga area as well as from across the southern region. The CSO performs a full season of Masterworks, Pops, Chamber, and Volkswagen Series concerts from September through May, as well as a variety of community, education, and engagement events throughout the year.