About the Nonprofit
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Through your support, you make it possible for us to implement our laddered and skill-based approach
to youth development through ensemble training to nurture, challenge, and inspire young minds through
music. The essential life skills our students learn at MYSO—collaboration and teamwork, critical thinking
and problem solving, confidence, focus, and discipline—last a lifetime, providing a critical foundation
for their success.
Thanks to your generosity, we will continue to build community in the greater Milwaukee area. MYSO is
recognized regionally, nationally, and internationally for its artistic and educational excellence. Serving
more than 7,000 students through direct programming and community outreach annually, MYSO is the
largest after-school youth orchestra program in the U.S. More than 25,000 audience members are served
through more than 100 formal concerts each season. Today, 50% of students represent populations of
color and nearly 40% of students receive financial aid to support their membership, private lessons, and
so much more.
The past fiscal year ended with the tumultuous challenge of COVID-19, forcing MYSO to cancel 28
performances and 325 rehearsals, losing nearly 20,000 student rehearsal hours in the process. Seven
outreach concerts were eliminated, affecting 2,650 children not receiving these programs. Thanks to the
ingenuity, creativity, and dedication of our artistic and administrative teams, we immediately pivoted
to online instruction and continued to provide programming to our 1,000 students through the remainder
of our scheduled season.
Your support helps our musicians achieve their goals, aspirations, and dreams. On behalf of our entire
organization, the students, families, and community we serve, thank you for making it all possible.
