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Our Mission
& Our History
Uniting talented young musicians since 1975
Las Vegas Youth Orchestra
Our Mission
The Mission of the “Las Vegas Youth Orchestras” is to provide the youth in the community (regardless of race, creed, economic circumstances, gender or national origin) an opportunity to expand their musical skills and engage them both intellectually and physically, by committing their time and energy in preparing and performing in an orchestral setting. Students performing excellent music for the community serve as examples of academic and musical excellence and improve the community by offering cultural enrichment.
THE SUNSET YEARS
1975
The Sunset Symphony is born
​Co-founded by Dr. Barry Barkin and Dr. Harold Boyce​An after-school program for outstanding classical instrumentalistsfor the Clark County School District (CCSD.)
1979
Mike Allard, String Coordinator of CCSD, ​Director of the Sunset Symphony through 1987.
1981
The Symphony travels to Flagstaff to perform & hike with instruments into the 1 – mile marker at the Grand Canyon and played there, on a ledge in 90 degree heat.
1983
The 58-piece symphony orchestra travels to Suffern, NY (north of New York City).​The program now expands to include 130 students in three graduated steps:​
“Sunset Beginning” - “Sunset Intermediate” - “Sunset Symphony” (Advanced) levels.
1984
The orchestra program is recognized by ASTA (American String Teachers Association) as a national model program.
​
Sunset Symphony
Program
​
November 15, 1984
​
Senior High School Honor
Orchestra
UNLV Choir
Sunset Symphony
Program
​
December 13, 1984
​
Sahara Hotel
Congo Room
1985 – Now with 92 strings
the orchestra travels to Mexico City
and competes in the
​
Fiesta Musicale Mexicana
​
(International Youth Orchestra Competition)
and wins the Bronze Medal
​
Director Mike Allard triumphs in a bullfight!
1986 – New Orleans on the Mississippi River
​
Performance on the “President”
​
the largest and most prestigious of all riverboats
in its’ 400 foot ballroom
​
and performed jazz concerts with the
New Orleans All-City (Youth) Orchestra.
1986 - Sunset Symphony
rehearses and performs
at the old Showboat Hotel
Judy Moore: Showboat Manager
Sunset Symphony
Showboat Casino
Agreement
1986 - The Symphony performs
for over 500 guests at the
Allied Arts Council’s Masque Ball Fundraiser
Spring Concert – Received national recognition with a commendation for excellence in education with business partnerships from US Secretary of Education, William Bennett, including personal thanks from President Reagan.
1987 – Mid-April, the Symphony takes their “big trip” to Hawaii
to perform at the Waikiki Shell and at Pearl Harbor Visitor’s Center.
Mike Allard leaves Las Vegas
In an exit interview with Hank Greenspun, Allard asks Las Vegas to "look out for his program" because the students were going to need all the help they could get to continue their pursuits.
He wistfully states that he wishes they could have toured the Orient.
1988
Friends of the Sunset Symphony
(non-profit) incorporates.
1988 - Carnegie Hall Concert
Mike Allard receives an invitation to conduct at Carnegie Hall for Isaac Stern’s Foundation (ISF).
The 100+ symphony was one of the first to perform there.
ISG was Stern’s dream to save the historic Carnegie Hall by creating a “debut house” and invite the best and brightest to play.
The City of Las Vegas forms a partnership with the Sunset Symphony.
The Symphony starts rehearsing at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center.
1991 – The program’s name is changed to
Las Vegas Youth Orchestras - (LVYO).
LVYO develops into four tiered orchestra groups.
1997 - Orchestra trip to Flagstaff AZ photos
2002 – LVYO’s First significant fundraiser occurs at Spring Mountain Ranch with Super Summer Theatre
2005 – Orchestra program is awarded a grant for a set of four new timpani from Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.
LVYO’s two top orchestras are granted a residency by the touring National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) based in Washington, D.C., accomplished through collaboration with the Las Vegas Philharmonic.
2006 – The Youth Philharmonic (Directed by Karl Reinarz) collaborates with Tucson Youth Philharmonia (Directed by Suzette Battan) in a side-by-side concert of Bolero by Ravel,
performed onstage by over 200 young musicians. LVYO is awarded its first grant from the Nevada Arts Council.
2007 – LVYO’s concert program, logo, and promotional campaign undergo a facelift, thanks to the state arts council’s grant support.
2008 – Youth Philharmonic (Directed by Charles A. Jackson) launches its inaugural tour overseas to Salzburg, Vienna and Prague – performing at world-class venues with a 55-piece orchestra. LVYO participates in “Daniel Pearl World Music Days” a global network of music celebrations during the month of October. Musicians around the world join “Harmony for Humanity” – a tribute event to Daniel Pearl and his belief in the power of music to tear down walls and build bridges among all people. (This tribute becomes an annual tradition for LVYO’s fall concerts.)
2010 – The nation and state of Nevada are caught in the web of an economic recession. Further state budget cuts require LVYO to change strategies for future survival. Additional collaborations and partners with community become essential components to forge vision and paths of longevity into reality.
2010 – The nation and state of Nevada are caught in the web of an economic recession. Further state budget cuts require LVYO to change strategies for future survival. Additional collaborations and partners with community become essential components to forge vision and paths of longevity into reality.
2011 – The Youth Philharmonic goes to China for their second overseas tour. What was once a dream for Dr. Allard for the Youth Orchestras – now becomes reality!
2012 – The Las Vegas Youth Orchestras hosts a summer Brass Boot Camp with guest artist Sam Pilafian and J. D. Shaw.
2013 – The Las Vegas Youth Orchestras receives a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and brings in artist Alpin Hong to facilitate and performs a concert at the Henderson Pavilion. The Summer Brass Boot Camp is brought back after a successful first year.
2015 – The Board fills the vacancy of the Executive Director with Doug Van Gilder, former finance and orchestra manager of the Las Vegas Philharmonic.