Since 1956, the Civic Youth Orchestra has provided excellence in orchestral training to San Diego’s gifted young musicians. The CYO is a nonprofit organization providing young people with the opportunity to study and perform the world’s great orchestral works under the guidance of experienced teachers and conductors.
In 2009, the Orchestra held rehearsals in North San Diego County at Palomar College. In 2010, the training program picked up a new conductor, Greg Lawrence, and a new rehearsal space at the San Marcos Senior Center.
In 2012, the Orchestra held rehearsals in North San Diego County at North County Church of Christ, where the program includes a primary string orchestra, an intermediate string orchestra, a chamber strings ensemble, a wind ensemble, a symphonic orchestra, and a full symphony orchestra.