In 1986, Hill Country Youth Orchestras founder Lynda Ables, Director of Music at First United Methodist Church in Kerrville, Texas, began a journey to fulfill a dream — her five year old daughter who was in kindergarten said that she wanted to learn to play the violin.
At that time, there were no string teachers in Kerrville so Mrs. Ables arranged for a demonstration of the Suzuki teaching method by a group from Austin.Following that demonstration, a Suzuki program was started in Kerrville with eight students and instructor Jane Heard of Fredericksburg.As the teaching program grew, Kerrville First Methodist United Church agreed to include the Suzuki program as an outreach ministry through the music department and provide teaching space for the group at no charge to the program.Through a generous donation from Mary Rohe of Hunt, Texas, funds were made available for the purchase of instruments for students, music and the cost of private lessons for the students so any child who wished to participate could, regardless of economic means.
Hill Country Youth Orchestras was organized in 1995 and later incorporated on February 24, 1999, as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
The HCYO mission is to “bring the joy of the orchestra experience to the youth of the Texas Hill Country” with the vision to nurture, encourage and assist young musicians by sharing the love and joy of music through quality instruction, concert performances, and community service. The core HCYO belief is unlimited and early exposure to music fosters lifelong recognition of its value and instills life skills, development of leadership, teamwork, responsibility, and discipline.
HCYO is committed to providing a quality music education program and orchestra performance experience for its students.HCYO’s music faculty provides professional instruction and mentoring for young musicians through weekly rehearsals, private lessons and participation in 2 annual public concerts at the Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater for the Performing Arts in Kerrville, Texas, which are given at no charge to the public.
Many HCYO alumni have received academic and music scholarships to university and conservatory institutions. Many have gone on to pursue professional music careers.Of equal importance are the more than a thousand students who have had their lives enriched by learning to play, perform and share music at a high level. The benefits of music study for children is well documented.
HCYO BOARD OF DIRECTORS and ADVISORY BOARD HCYO Board of Directors is responsible for establishing operational policies, overseeing fund raising, and strategic planning.
HCYO Advisory Board serves as ambassadors for HCYO within the community and assists the Board of Directors with special projects.Members of the HCYO Advisory Board are prominent leaders and professionals in the community.