Green Mountain Youth Symphony

News & Events

The Green Mountain Youth Symphony 6th Annual Playathon

Montpelier, Vermont October 5, 2019

On Saturday, October 5th, the Green Mountain Youth Symphony is holding a Playathon & Bake Sale fundraiser – 7 hours of continuous live music in downtown Montpelier at Christ Episcopal Church (64 State Street, across from the Post Office).

GMYS musicians are collecting pledges for the Playathon. The money raised will support GMYS programs and the scholarship fund. No student is turned away for inability to pay full tuition. If you would like to donate, contact your favorite GMYS musician or donate online at www.gmys-vt.org.

On Playathon Day, the music starts at 8:30am and runs until 3:30pm that afternoon. All three GMYS orchestras will hold public rehearsals during the day providing a sneak peek at the December concert program. GMYS musicians, individually and in small groups, will keep the music going between and after rehearsals.

Baked goods and cider will be available for sale all day – or until they disappear! Come early for the best selection.

Intro to Strings Class Registration Opens

Montpelier, Vermont August 23, 2019

The Green Mountain Youth Symphony (GMYS) has partnered with Monteverdi Music School for a repeat of our successful Intro to Strings class. “The classes were popular last year and several of the students went on to join our orchestras.” says GMYS Artistic Director, Bob Blais.

This group class is for 8-12 year olds who have never played a stringed instrument, but would like to try it out. Blais, will teach the 9-week class in space donated by Monteverdi. Students can choose to try violin, viola, cello, or bass and will learn in a mixed-instrument group. According to Blais, “This is a great opportunity to try out a stringed instrument without families needing to make a huge commitment up front. So kids can just try it and see if they like it. It’s an affordable way to explore playing music.”

Students who would like to continue with their instrument after this introductory period will be referred to private teachers through Monteverdi, can join their school music program, and will be able to work toward joining the GMYS Repertory Orchestra.

Class begins on Tuesday, September 24th and runs through Tuesday, November 19th. For more information or to register, contact GMYS Executive Director, Leah Wilhjelm leah@gmys-vt.org or 888-4470.

Intro to Strings Class

Montpelier, Vermont August 8, 2018

The Green Mountain Youth Symphony (GMYS) has partnered with Monteverdi Music School and Vermont Violins to pilot a new Intro to Strings class. This group class is for 8-12 year olds who have never played a stringed instrument, but would like to try it out. GMYS Artistic Director, Bob Blais, will teach the 9-week class in space donated by Monteverdi. Students can choose to try violin, viola, cello, or bass and will learn in a mixed-instrument group. Discounted short-term rentals are available through Vermont Violins. According to Blais, “This is a great opportunity to try out a stringed instrument without families needing to make a huge commitment up front. So kids can just try it and see if they like it. It’s an affordable way to explore playing music.”

Students who would like to continue with their instrument after this introductory period will be referred to private teachers through Monteverdi, can join their school music program, will be able to work toward joining the GMYS Repertory Orchestra, and may choose to extend their instrument rentals through Vermont Violins regular rental program.

Class begins on Tuesday, September 18th and runs through Tuesday, November 13th. For more information or to register, contact GMYS Executive Director, Leah Wilhjelm leah@gmys-vt.org or 888-4470.

The Green Mountain Youth Symphony Fifth Annual Playathon

Monteplier, Vermont September 29, 2018

On Saturday, September 29th, the Green Mountain Youth Symphony is holding a Playathon & Bake Sale fundraiser – 7 hours of continuous live music in downtown Montpelier at Christ Episcopal Church (64 State Street, across from the Post Office).

GMYS musicians are collecting pledges for the Playathon. The money raised will support GMYS programs and the scholarship fund. No student is turned away for inability to pay full tuition. If you would like to donate, contact your favorite GMYS musician or donate online at www.gmys-vt.org.

On Playathon Day, the music starts at 8:30am and runs until3:30pm that afternoon. All three GMYS orchestras will hold public rehearsals during the day providing a sneak peek at the December concert program. GMYS musicians, individually and in small groups, will keep the music going between and after rehearsals.

Baked goods and cider will be available for sale all day – or until they disappear! Come early for the best selection.

The 2nd Annual Swing Dance Fundraiser

Barre, Vermont April 29, 2017

Featuring Green Mountain Swing. This event will be held at the Old Labor Hall in Barre, VT.

GMYS is excited to be included in the First Night North celebration this year! The Senior Orchestra, under the direction of Artistic Director Bob Blais, play at 4:00pm at the St. Johnsbury School on Western Avenue. Click on the link for information about purchasing a button for the evening’s festivities.

GMYS Senior Orchestra to play at First Night North

St. Johnsbury, Vermont December 31, 2016

The Green Mountain Youth Symphony Third Annual Playathon

Monteplier, Vermont October 8, 2016

GMYS musicians played from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Christ Episcopal Church on State Street in Montpelier to the delight of downtown crowds. This was the third year GMYS has put on a playathon. Delicious baked goods provided by friends and families of GMYS were sold, and increased to the success of this tradition. A big thanks to our musicians who solicited pledges to support our programming.

The Green Mountain Youth Symphony Performs on the State House Steps

Monteplier, Vermont July 3, 2013

GMYS performed Stars and Stripes Forever, El Capitan, Star Wars, Memory from Cats, Russian Sailors Dance, Children of Sanchez, Bacchanale, Superman Returns, Lord of the Rings, James Bond Meolody, and Pirates of the Caribbean to a crowded State House lawn before the fireworks show.

2013 GMYS Spring Concerts

Barre, Vermont April 14, 2013

This years Spring Concert showcased all three GMYS Orchestras performing at the Barre Opera House. The Senior Orchestra featured soloists, David Fickes and Chantilly Larose... Read the details...View the poster

GMYS Plays the National Anthem at a Vermont Mountaineers Game

Montpelier, Vermont July 21, 2012

A four string quartet from the Green Mountain Youth Symphony performed the National Anthem at a Vermont Mountaineers NECBL game at Recreation Field in Montpelier Vermont on July 21, 2012.

The Green Mountain Youth Symphony Performs on the State House Steps

Monteplier, Vermont July 3, 2012

GMYS performed Stars and Stripes Forever, El Capitan, Memory from Cats, Russian Sailors Dance, Les Miserables, Highlights from Wicked, Children of Sanchez, Pirates of the Caribbean, and 1812 Overture to a crowded State House lawn before the fireworks show.

GMYS' Artistic Director, Robert Blais, is Published in the Burlington Free Press

Burlington, Vermont May 18, 2012

The essay "Heart of Art: Learning to play with others, students and conductor grow in symphony" was published in the Arts section of The Burlington Free Press...read the article

GMYS is Selected to Represent North America at The Eurochestries Festival in Quebec

Montpelier, Vermont August 21-27, 2011

The Green Mountain Youth Symphony was chosen to represent North America at The Eurochestries Festival in Quebec...Eurochestries Site...Senator Sanders congratulations letter ...Congressman Welch congratulations letter

GMYS Week Declared in Vermont

Montpelier, Vermont August 2, 2011

Governor Shumlin proclaims August 13 - 21, 2011 Green Mountain Youth Symphony Week. View declaration
Watch the video