About Us Header
Mission Statement

Music for young people; achievement for life!

Mandates
To achieve our mission, the DC Youth Orchestra Program adheres to the following mandates:
     1. Provide affordable, accessible, quality music instruction &
          performance opportunities for young people in the DC
          Metropolitan area;

     2. Develop a youth orchestra capable of competing successfully
          at the national and international levels;

     3. Instill in our students the discipline and focus necessary to
          succeed academically as well as musically.

Values

Accessibility                                                                                                                                                                                  We make ourselves accessible to young people who feel compelled to be a part of an orchestral music experience without respect to economic means or social circumstances. We believe that an accessible organization opens young minds and hearts to diverse aesthetics, different histories, arrays of cultures, and experiences that they would not have otherwise. 

Excellence                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                We believe that achieving excellence - as an individual musician and in an ensemble (team) - is a transformative experience – building skill, pride, humility, and selfesteem.

Nurturing                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Success in music is like success in life. It requires dedication to self and others, dedication to growing one’s skills, and dedication to the success of others who rely on you.

Transformation                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                We believe that playing music is transformational - that the experience unfetters the soul, hones sensibilities, and empowers the mind in all other types of learning. We believe that participation in the DC Youth Orchestra Program empowers our young musicians, their present families, and the families that they will someday raise.

Vision for Our Future

The DC Youth Orchestra Program will provide a safe, nurturing, orchestral music-performance experience to more than 1000 students annually.

Parents, donors, business leaders, DC government, DC Public Schools, alumni, and other community partners will recognize and support the DC Youth Orchestra Program as a vital part of DC residents’ quality of life.

Community support and participation will enable the DC Youth Orchestra Program to develop the Board to 20 - 25 people who use their influence and resources to: 1) maintain a high-quality music education program; 2) provide an appropriate facility and infrastructure for classes & performances; and 3) fund adequate staffing; including Education, Communications, & Development personnel.


Partners
Financial Information Links

Visit us at Guidestar.org, a nonprofit resource. (www.guidestar.org)
Visit us at Idealist.org, a non-profit community by Action Without Borders. (www.idealist.org)