Donate to NOTES 2023 today!

Hi, my name is Benjamin Gilbert! I am an 18-year-old cellist in EYSO's Youth Symphony, and a member of the Hanson String Quartet, one of EYSO's Honors Chamber Ensembles. EYSO has changed my life, there's no other way to say it. I've played some amazing music, learned more than I ever imagined I could, and grew in every way a musician and person can. I've met some of my best friends, made core memories that I will never forget, and I've had so much fun doing it. Being able to meet once a week with a symphony of 90+ young musicians, who all have a shared passion and drive for music in their own unique ways, is not something that musicians are always able to be a part of, especially at the young ages we are all at. that is why being a part of EYSO is such a privilege, and why the NOTES campaign is so important to the future of EYSO. I've had the opportunity to play of playing some of the greatest symphonic works every written, with some of my closest friends and peers, with one of the greatest conductors I've ever had the privilege of playing with. Aside from that, being able to play in The Hanson String Quartet has showed me the importance of chamber music, and how much fun it is. Everyone in the quartet is so close, and they feel like family even though we have only been playing together since June of 2022. EYSO has inspired me to grow as a musician and as a person and has challenged my way of seeing and thinking about the world around me, and this kind of experience is invaluable to a young musician, and not something you can find everywhere. This is my last year in EYSO, but I know how crucial it is that this program stays funded, so that the next generations of musicians can thrive and learn through this life changing program. I hope you will consider a donation, so that more young musicians can be impacted the same way I have been by EYSO.

-Ben

EYSO's Youth Symphony is collecting donations as part of our annual fundraising campaign: NOTES. This campaign runs from January 22 to March 26.

This year, we are celebrating our 47th season with the theme Design. Today, EYSO serves nearly 400 students in 4th grade through college from 70 different communities via five orchestras, as well as percussion ensembles, Brass Choir and Flute Choir. The mission of EYSO is to create a community of young musicians, enriching their lives and the lives of their families, schools, communities, and beyond, through the study and performance of excellent music. By supporting the NOTES campaign, you are impacting the lives of so many!

Tuition covers only one-third of the total cost of each member’s participation in EYSO. Our NOTES campaign helps keep tuition reasonable and offsets program costs. Donations of any size can make a real impact!

In addition to offsetting the cost of tuition, the generosity of people like you also helps to:

• Provide a more diverse repertoire of music.
• Support guest coaches and conductors who are leaders in the field of music education.
• Allows EYSO to have a broader reach by offering innovative community programs and initiatives.

Thank you so much for supporting the students of EYSO and the power of music education!