Calgary Youth Orchestra

background & history

Mount Royal Conservatory’s CALGARY YOUTH ORCHESTRA (CYO) celebrated 50 years of orchestral tradition in 2008-09 with an exemplary season of performances, culminating in a summer tour of Austria and the Czech Republic. In September 2009, in recognition of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama’s visit to Calgary, the CYO performed at the Pengrowth Saddledome alongside members of the University of Calgary Orchestra.

The CYO, considered the Conservatory’s flagship instrumental ensemble, is recognized as one of the finest youth orchestras in the country. The ensemble has worked with such illustrious conductors as Mario Bernardi, Bramwell Tovey, Kasuyoshi Akiyama, Simon Streatfeild and Hans Graf, among others.

The CYO has performed in collaboration with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, at festivals throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and on-stage at the 2008 Juno Awards: select members joined Canadian rock band Finger Eleven on their hit song Paralyzer. The CYO was honoured to perform for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Calgary in May, 2005 as well as for the Council of the Federation in Banff in August, 2005. The orchestra has commissioned works from a number of composers, most recently Canadian composers George Fenwick and Laurie Radford.

CYO alumni can be found in such world-renowned ensembles as the Cleveland Orchestra and the Boston Symphony Orchestra as well as all major Canadian orchestras. Many alumni have won prestigious national and international solo competitions or are members of renowned chamber ensembles such as the Borromeo or Cassatt String Quartets.

CYO’s high artistic achievements have generated reviews such as: “The connection between movements, the musical emphasis, the dynamic control of impeccable resolution, and the precise rhythmic beat, flavored with a good dramatic tempo, made the music a pleasure... The music was played with such sincere enthusiasm that it generated a rush felt by all...” La Opinion de Granada-Critica Granada, Spain.

CYO’s recording of music from Western movies titled The Thrill of the Western has received excellent reviews, including one from Rick Phillips, CBC Radio’s Sound Advice: “Imaginative interpretation...nicely pulled off...played to the fullest, with enthusiasm and energy...”

The CYO was founded in 1957 by the late Frank Simpson as the Calgary Junior Philharmonic School Orchestra. The initial funding to establish the orchestra was provided by the late John Bach, a previous Director of the Mount Royal University Conservatory. In 1965, the orchestra joined the Conservatory and rehearsed at the Planetarium and the old Kirby Centre Campus on 9th Ave SW. When Mount Royal University moved to the present Lincoln Park Campus in 1973, the CYO moved along with the Conservatory.

A parent association was formed in 1968. The CYO Society was incorporated in 1973, to broaden the basis for community involvement and financial support of the CYO.

In 1984, artistic direction for the CYO came under the umbrella of the Mount Royal Conservatory. The CYO is now the flagship ensemble associated with the Conservatory's Orchestral Program.

Over the years, the CYO Directors have been:

Frank Simpson, Founding Director		1963 - 1984
John Thompson		1984 - 1988
Nicholas Pulos		1988 - 1992
Tyrone Paterson		1992 - 1993
Dr. Glenn Price		1993 - 1995
John Thompson		1996 - 2002
Edmond Agopian		2002 -