MetYSO provides dedicated young musicians with orchestral training in an atmosphere that is demanding, supportive, and fun. Recent repertoire includes Mendelssohn #5, and selections by Aaron Copland. MetYSO's Music Director, Paul Surapine, has wide experience as founder and conductor of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra (www.claflinhill.org), and as a performer and teacher. MetYSO performs two concerts during the academic year at MassBay's Framingham campus location.

Attendance expectations are very high. Students must commit to weekly Sunday afternoon rehearsals, to working on MetYSO music with private teachers, and to MetYSO’s scheduled concerts during the academic year. Schedules are published before September, providing both rehearsal and performance dates. Tuition is $450 for the academic year. Concerts are free to the public.

The Metrowest Youth Symphony Orchestra is in residence at the Massachusetts Bay Community College as part of MassBay’s Cultural Alliance. The orchestra rehearses regularly on Sunday afternoons at MassBay’s Framingham campus, 19 Flagg Street, off Route 126 between Framingham Center and Route 9.

MetYSO Offerings

MetYSO performs two concerts at the Framingham campus of the Massachusetts Bay Community College, one in the winter and a second in the spring. MetYSO's rehearsal and performance schedule conforms to the academic schedule, including most holidays and vacation periods. First semester rehearsals begin in September, second semester rehearsals begin in January. Rehearsals end with the May concert.

• Advanced Orchestral Training

  In general, the music we play at MetYSO is significantly more difficult than that played in most middle and high school orchestras. Students will be challenged and then amazed at what they can play. The focus is on learning and on making "serious" music an exciting and fun experience.

• Professional Mentors

  The Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra (www.claflinhill.org) is a professional orchestra based in Milford, Massachusetts. An exciting affliation is growing between MetYSO and Claflin Hill wherein the professional musicians mentor our young musicians by:

  • Teaching sectional rehearsals (winds, strings) with smaller groups of our students
  • Playing as stand partners within the orchestra at some rehearsals
  • Coaching chamber ensembles
  • Allowing our students to sit in on the adult orchestra rehearsals.

  Students learn from established professionals and gain a better understanding of music and musicianship.

• Preparatory String Orchestra

  The Preparatory String Orchestra (PSO) offers the advancing student challenging classical repertoire in a small orchestra environment that is both instructional as well as nurturing. The players in the PSO can advance to the regular MetYSO orchestra based on their ability and interests. The PSO rehearses on Sunday afternoons and has concert performances in December and in May. The PSO tuition is $225 for the academic year.

  The PSO is designed for:

  • Younger player (age 8-11) that would not qualify for regular MetYSO orchestra due to age.
  • First orchestra experience
  • Player that is not comfortable in a larger orchestra setting.
  • Player needing more musical training and/or experience.
  • Player who may not want to commit to more demanding music and rehearsals of the MetYSO orchestra.
  • Player looking for more challenge than in private lessons or in the school music program.