Members of the Sydney Hills Youth Orchestra (SHYO) are young music lovers, students of high schools and universities, young musicians, and young music teachers in Sydney Hills. We welcome all young music lovers under the age of 18 (or 20) who have been learning orchestral instruments for over 5 years. Join and enjoy the benefits!

Led by its Founding Conductor and Artistic Director, Dr. Brian Chatpo Koo, SYSCO offers young musicians the opportunities to play and enjoy orchestral music of all kinds, not only performing but also learning to understand how those masterpieces were constructed, and expanding their orchestral music education training and orchestral music performance experience. 

The orchestra also broadens their potential music career by building up their orchestral music repertoires, as well as imparting to them the value of communication, teamwork, and discipline. We

provide the orchestra experience for members to develop better sight-reading skills, learn new techniques not found in solo work, learn to follow a conductor, strengthen counting and rhythmic skills, and learn orchestral etiquette. Especially for those who play wind instruments, brass instruments, and percussion, they will learn new techniques that aren’t as widely used in a band setting as with an orchestra, requiring them to be more sensitive with their technical abilities. This orchestra has 40 scheduled sessions (rehearsals and concerts) with carefully selected programs covering a variety of cultural aspects and artistic values. The program for each concert includes important classical symphonies, and classical concertos, among other famous works of great composers. This multiple-movement training will strengthen young musicians’ physical and mental capabilities and will give a fantastic performing experience that young musicians will benefit from forever.