My SDYS Portal | Past Weekly Updates | Report an Absence | Rehearsal Calendars

If you are graduating from high school and SDYS this year, we would love to acknowledge your accomplishment.

Encore! Annual Scholarship Fundraiser 2023

Every year, SDYS hosts a wonderful evening of music making and celebrations called Encore! The event raises much-needed funds to support need-based and value-based tuition scholarships, instrument loans and supplies, free lessons, sectionals and coachings, and much more. 

We're pleased to offer a special discounted ticket for SDYS parents, at half-off the regular price! For $150 per person or $300 per couple, you can join us on April 23, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay! We hope you will join us for this unique evening as we work to achieve our mission of enriching lives through music.

For more information on Encore! please visit our website at www.sdys.org/encore.

For questions or to purchase your discounted tickets, please contact Terry Williams, Individual Giving Manager at 619-233-3232 x160 or at twilliams@sdys.org. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Registration for the 2023-2024 season will begin on Friday, April 14. Enrollment forms and audition materials will become available on this date. We look forward to seeing you for another wonderful season!

As a ChIMES Guest Musician, you will come visit a class to demonstrate your instrument (by playing a short piece of music of your choosing, and a children's song like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star). Students of all ages and from all SDYS ensembles are welcome! Learn more about becoming a ChIMES Guest Musician here.

We have volunteer slots available Wed - Sat mornings (Balboa Park and Liberty Station locations). Please complete the Guest Musician Interest Form if you are interested, and a staff member will get back to you.

This is a fun experience that also counts for community service or volunteer hours. Thank you!

We have several positions open as we plan to return to in-person activities. If you would like to learn more, please visit www.sdys.org/jobs to read the job descriptions.

*The Early Childhood team is also looking for extra admin help at Saturday morning ChIMES classes in Liberty Station, from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Please email chimes@sdys.org if you are interested.

Tristan Akers, Program Assistant, at takers@sdys.org.

The events listed below are for information only. They are not sponsored or evaluated by, and do not have a connection with SDYS.

VIA Academy is pleased to share with you our 2023 Summer Program, a free summer music education program. VIA Academy was born in 2020 out of partnership with the New World Symphony and we are excited for our fourth season.

Standing for Virtual Inclusion Artists, VIA seeks to engage musicians from communities remote and underrepresented in classical music through individual lessons, mentorship and group classes. The two week-long program is tailored to string, woodwind and brass instrumentalists (grades 9-12) and taught by our teaching artist faculty and guest artists. VIA’s curriculum is tailored for each student through one-on-one discussions about goals and aspirations with VIA’s Teaching Artists. In addition to a virtual first week, all students will culminate in Miami, FL at the New World Center (home of the New World Symphony) during the second week of the program for further opportunities in advancing instrumental skills, chamber music, and future path development. All meals, housing, airfare/transportation, and tuition will be provided by VIA Academy at no cost to students.

Further application information can be found on our website. Apply by March 31st (deadline extended) to be considered for this coming 2023 session.

SDSU's School of Music and Dance will present an oboe masterclass with Nicholas Stovall on Thursday, April 6th at 5:30pm. Mr. Stovall currently holds the position of Principal Oboe with the National Symphony Orchestra, and teaches at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. His masterclass will be held at SDSU's School of Music and Dance in Rhapsody Hall, (room 113), and is free and open to the public.

Those with questions are welcome to reach out to me directly at sarah_skuster@yahoo.com.  

Formerly COJAC, the California Orchestra Academy will focus on a different theme each year, combining a premier orchestral experience with mentorship, conducting fellowships, masterclasses, leadership training, and more for participants of all backgrounds.

Old Mission Rotary presents an exciting annual talent show gala to raise funds for a special partner the Thousand Smiles Foundation. The Gala event will be held on May 13, 2023, at the Francis Parker School Auditorium. Finalist will have the opportunity to receive $1,000, $500, and $250 in cash prizes for the top performers. Please follow the link below for the talent entry form.

SDYS Students are eligible to automatically receive $1200 off a two-week or $600 off a one-week Idyllwild Arts Summer Program. This offer is good for music workshops including Chamber Music Intensive, Summer Symphony Orchestra, and Junior Instrumental Intensive for young string players.