Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra Crescendo Concert

The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra takes the stage at Atlanta Symphony Hall on Sunday, February 28, 2027, at 6 PM. This is their Crescendo concert, one of the three they put on each season, and it's led by music director William R. Langley. Along with the full orchestra, the program features a performance by this year's concerto competition winner, so you'll get a solo spot alongside the larger ensemble.

If you're not familiar with the ASYO, it's a subsidiary of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, founded back in 1974. It's built for the region's most talented rising instrumentalists in 8th through 12th grade, giving them a chance to play orchestral masterworks at a high level. More than 300 students audition every year for the 120 chairs in the ensemble, so it's a competitive seat to earn. The Crescendo concert is just one part of what these students do; they also take part in readings, master classes, and mentorship sessions with leading artists throughout the year.

The orchestra has a long history behind it. Michael Palmer was the inaugural director, followed by Jere Flint, who led the ASYO from 1979 to 2014, before William R. Langley took over as music director. Over the decades, the group has played on some pretty big stages: they performed at the 1996 Cultural Olympiad and at the Closing Ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games, and they've done cultural exchanges with youth orchestras from Great Britain, Australia, Berlin, and various cities across the US. Many alumni have gone on to become professional orchestral musicians, soloists, conductors, and educators.

Admission is free, though you have to reserve your tickets in advance. The concert starts at 6 PM on Sunday, February 28, at Atlanta Symphony Hall.