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The Kankakee Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to young musicians in the 7th grade through high school and their musical training. Our Board of Directors works diligently to bring the best educators from the area to work with our students at Olivet Nazarene University. By having our concerts and practice sessions at ONU, we are assured of teaching our musicians in a university setting with all of the amenities that are offered there.

Throughout the year, we perform in various venues with our two main concerts at ONU’s Larsen Fine Arts Center in the Kresge Auditorium. Other concerts take place in our local community schools twice per year and our performances have become “can’t miss” events. We are always asked back to play again as soon as we can.

The Music Academy has been providing violin, viola, cello and bass lessons throughout the year since the summer of 2005. Beginning, intermediate and advance instruction is available. This teaching and learning experience is an opportunity that should be taken advantage of particularly by parents who are interested in getting their child started in the cultural arts. Parents who start their children playing musical instruments at an early age find that learning other subjects come easier and test scores are higher. Plus, children in the performing arts are just plain fun to be around and the rewards are indeed plentiful. To see the expression on a young musicians face when the applause comes raining down on them is a sight to behold.

So, if you are a parent wanting to start or continue lessons, wanting a good place to take your child on Sunday afternoons, or you are an accomplished student looking for a challenge, the Music Academy or the Kankakee Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra is the place to be. Come check us out, you will be surprised what you find. You’ll make a lot of friends, and have a lot of great experiences.

See you at the concert!

The KVYSO started in 2000, before its first rehearsal, after leaders of the KVSOA visited area schools and explained the new group. In fact, the history of the KVYSO really goes back further than that when a symphony backer donated money to the symphony to be set aside specifically to re- establish a youth orchestra that once existed here.

The KVYSO gives music students the opportunity to play classical music and it gives string musicians an opportunity to play with a full orchestra - two experiences that are often lacking in many area high schools.

(However, some members of the youth orchestra are also members of the KVSOA, which is open to high school and junior high school students, as well as music teachers and other musicians.)

The youth orchestra is also providing scholarships so some students can attend music camps this summer.

In the long run, Gene Bahls, past president of the KVSOA, said he foresees that the youth symphony will help maintain and increase the quality of musicians and music teaching here. A youth symphony is a strong "draw" for bringing more high quality music teachers to the area.

Secondly, and perhaps equally important, is that parents of the youth symphony, will have a greater opportunity to hear the KVSO and become season ticket holders.

Everett Flanigan, past president of the KVYSO board, pointed out that not only are orchestras members are top musicians, they are also top students. For instance, more than half the students are taking "weighted classes" - tougher courses that award more points toward graduation. And, not only did the students volunteer to join the KVYSO, but they paid tuition to receive university-level instruction.

He said that the orchestra exceeded his expectations during the last school year because he anticipated greater problems getting nearly 50 young people of varying abilities and backgrounds to work closely together. He found that the orchestra members are mature, dedicated and "love what they are doing."