Just in: American Youth Symphony is shut down

“Despite our best efforts, the challenges of maintaining our operations have become insurmountable,” said Kevin Dretzka, Board Chairman. “COVID-19 amplified AYS’s unsustainable financial infrastructure. We have exhausted every effort and hope the larger orchestral industry and classical music philanthropic community take note to shore-up these important pre-professional orchestras like AYS which directly benefit them.”

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of our beloved organization. The Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to dissolve American Youth Symphony,” said Executive Director Isabel Thiroux. “We extend our deepest gratitude to our talented artists, dedicated staff, supportive patrons, and generous donors who have been instrumental in our journey. While this chapter may be closing, we are proud of the legacy we leave behind and the impact we have made in the lives of many.”

Music director Carlos Izcaray said: ‘It is extremely regrettable that an organization of the caliber and history of AYS has to shut down. I am proud of the work that the staff did under incredible pressure, and will remain in awe of the progress our fellows showed throughout the last years. Many of them joined some of the best orchestras in the country, and several others became top studio musicians, composers, administrators, and entrepreneurs in the field.

‘Unfortunately we were not able to secure the funding to pivot to a more sustainable model. Many memories from our programs and projects will remain, such as monumental symphonies by Mahler and Brahms, tone poems by Strauss and Schreker, American canonic works, the introduction to repertoire by composers such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Brian Raphael Nabors, and Jennifer Higdon, Britten’s War Requiem with the National Children’s Choir, our signature Hollywood Project, and many other creative endeavors with our fellows as soloists and involved co-creators. I remain inspired by all of them, and look forward to learning how their careers evolve.’