We know – you’re busy, and you’ve got a thousand things pulling at your wallet. So why should you give to the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras? What do we do that’s so special? And, why do we need your money?

Here are the reasons to support SYSO:

1. SYSO provides the best music education opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. Our conductors and faculty are among the greatest musicians in the Puget Sound region. Over 1,100 students participate in our programs each year, making us the largest youth symphony organization in the United States.

Our programs are tremendously varied. We have four full orchestras during the academic year, serving beginning students all the way to the conservatory-level Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra.

During the summer, we provide Marrowstone Summer Music, a nationally prominent intensive orchestral and chamber music program. We also provide three sessions of Marrowstone-in-the-City for younger students who want to improve their musical skills over the summer.

Our innovating work with students in local public schools has been emulated around the country. Through our SYSO-in-the-Schools, we provide free group lessons in less commonly played instruments like the bassoon and French horn. We also provide lessons to underserved students, who might not otherwise have music education at all.

2. SYSO’s students are the next generation of musicians and music lovers. If you love classical music, you should support SYSO. Why? Because our work makes your passion possible. All great musicians start out the same way – great education and hard work.

SYSO alumni play in every major orchestra in the United States, including leadership positions in the major orchestras and Opera companies of Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and New York. Our alumni also hold positions around the world – in the leading ensembles of London, Paris, Milan, Hong Kong and Tokyo, among many, many others.

Even though most of our students go on to study music at the conservatory level, many choose other career paths. It’s been proven time and time again that a solid music education contributes to higher achievement in life. Our students go on to become the doctors, lawyers, scientists and teachers of the next generation. They also carry a love for music with them forever. They are the next generation of music patrons and donors, keeping classical music a vital part of our culture.

3. SYSO’s programs are available to all talented young people, regardless of their financial resources. One of our core beliefs is that talent is not related to wealth. Many of our most successful students are unable to afford the full cost of tuition. Because of the generosity of donors like you, we are able to offer $120,000 in scholarship and work study money to our students. Over 25% of our students receive some kind of financial aid. We need your help to keep offering support to our students with modest financial resources.

4. Ticket and tuition revenues cover just over half of our budget. We depend on your generosity to keep our work going. Without ongoing support from foundations, corporations, and people just like you, we would have to raise our tuition or cut programs. SYSO effectively subsidizes tuition for all students by about 45%.

5. SYSO’s programs are very cost effective. Compared to other top youth symphony organizations around the nations, we serve more students for less money. Our per-student costs are around 60% of the national average.