The Hill Country Youth Orchestras were a result of the Suzuki String Program begun in 1987 as part of the educational outreach programs of KPAS (Kerrville Performing Arts Society) in Kerrville, Texas. The orchestras were organized in the fall of 1995 as an outreach ministry of the Kerrville First United Methodist Church and in 1999, HCYO was incorporated into a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. HCYO has grown to its present size through the leadership of its Board of Directors and Lynda Ables, Director of Music for the Kerrville First United Methodist Church and HCYO Facilitator from 1995 until her retirement in 2009. HCYO brings the orchestra experience to over one hundred of the Hill Country's young people every year. Students come from Kerrville, Ingram, Fredericksburg, Junction, Bandera, Center Point, San Antonio, Bulverde, Comfort, Harper, and Boerne. Our mission: "Bringing the joy of the orchestra experience to the youth of the Hill Country", provides educational opportunities to all children, regardless of race, color, creed, disability, or economic status.
HCYO provides a full tuition orchestra scholarship for each participating child, made possible through generous donations and grants from the First United Methodist Church of Kerrville, Texas; the Cailloux Foundation; and many enthusiastic supporters from around the country.
There are four orchestras within the organization: "Twinkle Beginning Strings Class" for our youngest players (ages 5-7); "Allegretto Orchestra" for students with one to two years of experience on a string instrument (starting at age 8); "Concertante Orchestra" for students with two or more years of experience (primarily middle school); and the "Sinfonia" for the most advanced level of student musicians (primarily high school) and includes brass, woodwind, and percussion players.
Orchestra rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from the end of August until the end of April at the First United Methodist Church in Kerrville. Two fall and two spring concerts are presented annually, and the HCYO Sinfonia students perform in the"Handel" orchestra for the annual "Messiah" Community Sing held at the Kerrville First United Methodist Church in December. Additionally, our musicians participate in many community service projects throughout the Hill Country and have received regional, national, and international recognition, honors, and college scholarships.
