“I just want to thank you so much.  I can’t pay you for the smile and joy on (my granddaughter's) face on Saturday.  After the orchestra was finished she telephoned to me and said, 'oh, guess what, I had class today and it was wonderful!'  And she was soooo happy.  She was so HAPPY!”

"The concert last night left me speechless!  We could not believe that the music the children played last night came from two weeks of work.  BRAVO!!!  We are excited and look forward to our future relationship with the D.C.Y.O."

"We wanted to take this opportunity to let you and the staff at DCYOP know how much our daughter has enjoyed her summer camp session.  She came home everyday expressing how much she was learning and having fun.  It was a well spent two weeks.  We look forward to the beginning of the fall session." 

"I've viewed the video (of the Camp Concert) over and over.  Bob and I were so proud of (our daughter).  We didn't know she had it in her to play so vigorously!  Dr. Spece, his assistants, and the instrument teachers really brought out the best in *all* of the kids. Just a great, wonderful, impressive camp--definitely one of the best she's ever attended!  Thanks to all of you who made this happen!"

"After Sara had been back with DCYOP for just three weeks, others commented that she was playing with much more confidence and really seemed to be growing as a musician.  Sara, her dad and I are grateful for the hard work of DCYOP staff and faculty in making such a wonderful program possible!"

"The Youth Orchestra Program is one of DC's best educational institutions - especially for its youngest students. All DC elected officials should mention and praise the program as they campaign and hold office, yet few do. Most of them are seemingly unaware that the DCYO program exists. Perhaps this will change due to the current big emphasis on better educating young people, which the program has consistently done quite well, and continues to do."

"DCYOP was a very important part of my childhood years and ironically, playing the violin quickly went from being a hobby to being one of my most meaningful social activities. It's interesting that an activity where there is little talking became a major avenue for interacting with people from all walks of life--we used our instruments to speak to one another and to create social harmony."

"(DCYOP) was the solidification and cultivation of those gifts within..."

"At the top of the list of the most valuable experiences in Washington we have without any doubt [are] the years at the DCYO.  The heart of my children is musical because of the Saturday classes and the Sunday concerts at the DCYO. Certainly this is something that we miss a lot. Time flies. It has been a year and half since we left Washington. Sofia is in a boarding school in England and the twins are with us here in the Republic of Congo. The three of them love music."

 "I am so grateful for my experience in the DC Youth Orchestra program. It allowed me to meet people I would never have otherwise met, travel to places I would never have otherwise visited, and appreciate classical music in an orchestral, team player, setting. I feel immensely more cultured and worldly in my adult life due to my experiences in the program. In fact, DCYOP had such an impact on me that I decided to write my personal statement for college entrance about my experience in the DCYOP. (Columbia accepted me, and one of my majors was music.) If there's one word in summary, the word is 'gratitude'."

"The DCYOP was a wonderful part of my childhood. It taught me discipline, knowledge of music and professionalism. I was able to travel all around the globe performing music in the program. I also obtained life long friendships with fellow musicians and I received a full scholarship to college!"

"DCYOP is a great return on investment. It is one of the best youth orchestras I have seen in terms of ability, diversity and coordination. It supports the efforts of DCPS to help our children's achievement become one of the highest in the nation!"