About Us:

The Mankato Youth Symphony Orchestras, Inc. was organized in 1964 and incorporated in 1966. Mr. James Berg was the organizer and director of the first orchestra. Parents of the orchestra members and other community members made up the organization, which operated under a Board of Directors and an Executive Committee.

The organization raised funds in the community to purchase uniforms for the orchestra members, provide music for the members, and send members to various music camps and workshops. The orchestra ceased to "officially" exist in 1974, due, in part, to the division of the high schools, and also the shortage of musicians to direct the orchestra. From 1974 to 1983 the orchestra meet over the summer to play together as a group and prepare for the coming school year with the local orchestra director. The orchestra "officially" reorganized in 1983 and has been presenting concert seasons ever since.

The Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra association is relatively unique among youth symphonies nationwide, as it is not affiliated with or sponsored by the local semi-professional orchestra, the Mankato Symphony Orchestra.