From the 2017–2018 Annual Report
For 53 years, the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO) has been teaching young musicians from across the Eastside the delights of orchestral performance. During our 2017-2018 season, more than 600 young musicians participated in our orchestras, small ensembles, and summer programs.
The musical theme for our 2017-18 main season was The Pacific Northwest, and featured the composers, arrangers, and themes of music celebrating our fabulous area. Sinfonia performed the world premiere of Skyfaring by local composer Geoff Ogle. Two other Puget Sound composers, Samuel Jones and Ian Edlund, attended rehearsals of their work and were in the audience to hear their works performed by BYSO orchestras.
In May 2018, BYSO launched a new website to improve visibility, communications, and business processes. Capacity-building support from the City of Bellevue Arts Commission was crucial in enabling us to complete this critical upgrade. Along with our new website, BYSO launched new branding, giving us a new look for all our communications. These improvements have been enthusiastically received by our families.
In March 2018, our top orchestras and ensembles performed at Benaroya Hall, an enriching experience for musicians and audience alike. We look forward to returning to that outstanding musical venue in the near future.
Many thanks are due to the 150-plus volunteers who made BYSO’s concerts, auditions, and retreats flow smoothly. BYSO is led by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, who provide strategic leadership and oversight to the entire organization. We couldn’t do it without you!
BYSO depends on contributions to make up the difference between our tuition and ticket fees and the full cost of delivering our program to our students. These generous donations made up 25% of our income this year. Key to our fundraising success this year have been BYSO parents who donated to Pass the Hat and the many businesses and individuals who sponsored our Garden Party Fundraiser. Heartful thanks to all who contributed.
Trudi Jackson,
Executive Director
From the Past
