​What is the MCYO?

Mid-Columbia Youth Orchestra is the premier youth symphony program in the Mid-Columbia region and is the educational arm of the Mid-Columbia Symphony.

In 2015, after several years of hiatus, the Youth Symphony was revived under the direction of Adrienne Fletcher. After five years, MCYO is now an established audition-only program that performs high-level orchestral repertoire.

MCYO has grown to include two ensembles: Youth Symphony and Cadet Strings, performing three mainstage concerts a season and collaborating with other local youth performing groups. We provide a unique, educational symphony experience for students from all over the Tri-Cities who are interested in pursuing music in an extracurricular setting.

Our Mission

A diverse and multifaceted arts education gives students the skills to be open-minded, empathetic, innovative, and discerning members of society. Through performing arts, we foster environments where any student may learn and grow graciously in order to better themselves. With collaboration, the arts also teach us how to acknowledge mistakes, and correct them sympathetically amongst peers - preparing them for an increasingly interpersonal future. Among these experiences, we strive to continue the long-standing traditions of  symphony music by providing young musicians an opportunity to learn and master great works of art.