The Early Years

Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra was established in 1956 within the Children's Arts Program (CAP).

This organization was sponsored by the Junior League of Milwaukee, the Rotary Club of Greater Milwaukee, and The Milwaukee Art Institute.

The first CAP orchestra (known as the "CAPsters") was led by Milton Weber, conductor of the nearby Waukesha Symphony Orchestra and Carroll College professor of music.

Porgram for May 12, 1957 concert at the Central YMCA.

Thirty young musicians made up the first CAP Symphony Orchestra.

Early Children's Arts Program season brochure.

In the late 1950s The Children's Arts Program orchestra became a new organization: Music for Youth.

The orchestra grew and later expanded into multiple ensembles. Pictured here is the Music For Youth Orchestra II, conducted by Bernard Stepner in 1967.

Music For Youth concert program, 1963-64 season.

MFY/MYSO's third orchestra in 1967.

Membership grew to nearly 450 students by the mid-1980s.

MFY/MYSO's advanced string players, c. 1985.

French horn players in MFY/MYSO's most advanced orchestra, c. 1985.

Young string players enjoy an outdoor rehearsal at MFY/MYSO Summer Camp in the mid-1980s.

Brass players rehearse outside at MFY/MYSO Summer Camp in the mid-1980s.

By 1988, Music For Youth was renamed Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. Margery Deutsch was hired as Music Director of its flagship orchestra, now called the Senior Symphony.

Launched in 2003 with a 22-student pilot, Progressions is the cornerstone program of our innovative Community Partnership Program.

From its roots in Progressions, our Community Partnership Program, which seeks to bring music education to students who often face barriers to music education, has grown to include nine diverse musical offerings (including jazz and steel pan), and serves nearly 350 kids in direct music education.