The San Jose Youth Symphony (SJYS), now in its 56th season, is one of the oldest and finest youth orchestras on the West Coast of the United States. Founded over five decades ago as part of the former San Jose Symphony, the SJYS has a rich tradition of musical performance and education .

The musicians of SJYS, ranging from age 8 to 21, are chosen from more than 400 applicants in annual auditions. SJYS comprises eight distinct performing ensembles: two full orchestras, two wind ensembles, two string ensembles, and a flute and a percussion ensemble. Each ensemble performs three concerts per season in San Jose and rehearses weekly from September through early June. In addition to their work with the SJYS artistic staff, each ensemble receives the benefits of sectional coaching from professional musicians. All musicians participate in a weeklong summer camp in August .

The Philharmonic Orchestra is the premiere ensemble of the SJYS, led by Music Director and Conductor Yair Samet, former Associate Conductor of the San Jose Symphony Orchestra. Membership is reserved for outstanding players who demonstrate strong musicianship and technical ability, and are capable of the discipline necessary to perform in a pre-professional orchestral setting .

The Philharmonic Orchestra performs three subscription concerts each season at the California Theatre in downtown San Jose. In addition, they perform at special events such as the annual "Season of Hope" Holiday performance series at St. Joseph's Basilica in downtown San Jose, the San Jose Holiday Parade, and a biannual Family Concert in the spring. Select musicians also have the opportunity to perform in chamber music ensembles as part of our community outreach program

SJYS holds two music competitions. The Young Artist Competition (YAC), proudly sponsored by the San Jose Symphony Foundation, is held biannually and open to advanced musicians inthe Bay Area between the ages of 16-21, and the Philharmonic Concerto Competition, held annually and open exclusively to SJYS Philharmonic Orchestra members. The winners of both competitions are featured in a solo performance with the Philharmonic Orchestra the following concert season

In 2002, SJYS launched "Music Matters," an after school music instruction program, developed in direct response to music programs cut in schools. The mission of "Music Matters" is to provide schools across Silicon Valley with tools that foster the appreciation of music, while teaching teamwork, creativity, discipline, and leadership. Over 1000 young musicians have benefited thus far

SJYS has performed several side-by-side concerts with the San Jose Symphony Orchestra, among them performances at Arts Express concerts to thousands of local students. In addition, the Philharmonic Orchestra has collaborated with both local and international leading arts groups, among them the Asian Youth Orchestra, the Okayama Youth Orchestra, San Jose Taiko, Firebird Youth Chinese Orchestra, Mariachi Cobre, San Jose Children's Musical Theater, and the Latin Jazz Ensemble from San Jose State University. SJYS hosts an international tour every other year. In the summer of 2007, the Philharmonic Orchestra performed five concerts to sold out audiences in Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland in some of Europe's most eminent concert halls including the Dvorak Hall in Prague, the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, and the Chopin Conservatory of Music in Warsaw.

In 2005, the Philharmonic Orchestra performed six concerts in Spain with world renowned pianist Jon Nakamatsu, culminating in a performance at one of Europe's most prestigious musical events-the Granada Music Festival. Past international concert tours have included Ireland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Japan with performances at the famed Chofu Green Hall in Tokyo, the Shimin Kaykan Civic Hall in Okayama, and the Archaic Hall in Amagasaki, Japan, the Mozartsaal in Stuttgart, Germany, and the Music Conservatory Hall in Brussels, Belgium. The finale of the 2001 International Tour was a sold out performance at Dublin's National Concert Hall.

Side-by-side tour performances have included the Ireland National Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Music Conservatory Orchestra of Munich, the Okayama Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Okayama University Orchestra, and the Archaic Wind Symphony in Amagasaki, Japan.