The New Bedford Symphony Youth Orchestras is changing its name, but not its mission this season. The program will now be called the Southeastern Massachusetts Youth Orchestras to better reflect its mission to serve student musicians across southeastern Massachusetts. SMYO will remain a program of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra.

More than 100 students are part of the SMYO program and perform in six ensemble levels ranging from beginning players to college musicians. Rehearsals take place at UMass Dartmouth, and concerts are held several times a year, including the opportunity for Symphony players to perform alongside professional musicians at the New Bedford Symphony’s Holiday Pops Concerts.

Auditions for new students (and returning students wishing to move up to the next ensemble) will be held on September 5 & 6 from 6:00pm-9:00pm at the College of Visual and Performing Arts at UMass Dartmouth. To request an audition time, please email youth@nbsymphony.org. Audition requirements can be found at https://www.nbsyo.org/auditions-and-program-info.

The NBSO is a professional orchestra that annually presents a concert series of classical and pops music with internationally acclaimed guest artists, as well as a chamber music series. In addition, the NBSO’s nationally recognized educational programs reach 25,000 students each year. The NBSO is dedicated to building a community of music in the South Coast. Visit www.nbsymphony.org today for more information about the youth orchestra and NBSO’s other programs.