Following the founding grant for the establishment of the Greek Youth Symphony Orchestra (GYSO) in 2017, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation supported the Orchestra’s operation and the organisation of its concerts during the 2020-2021 artistic season.

GYSO, which was founded by conductor Dionysis Grammenos and is a member of the European Federation of National Youth Orchestras (ENFYO) and the MusXchange programme, consists of young musicians from all over Greece, as well as Greek musicians living abroad. Its primary goal is to identify, guide, train and promote talented young musicians in the symphonic and operatic repertoire under the guidance of internationally renowned soloists and principals of Greek and major European orchestras. Participation in the orchestra is free of charge, following an audition, while all travel and accommodation expenses of the musicians are covered. At the same time, another main characteristic of GYSO’s activity is the implementation of educational actions, aiming at bringing young people close to symphonic music and the values it embodies. In this context, in 2021 GYSO presented the innovative activity “ΕΛΣΟΝ VR”, where through the use of virtual reality technologies, viewers have the opportunity to discover the world of classical music in an intense and experiential way.

The beginning of GYSO’s fourth artistic season marked a new era for the Orchestra, as it became the new Orchestra in Residence at Megaron - the Athens Concert Hall. Despite the special public health circumstances due to the pandemic, GYSO adapted to the new conditions and premiered with the live streaming performance of one of the most important chamber music works, “Octet in F major, D.803” by Franz Schubert, under the direction of conductor Dionysis Grammenos who participated as a clarinetist and with the collaboration of the distinguished violinist Alexandra Soumm. In July 2021, and on the occasion of the 200th anniversary since the beginning of the Greek Revolution, GYSO presented in Delphi and Corfu a special artistic programme, connecting the “Symphony No 3 in E flat major, Οp. 55”, also known as “Eroica” of Ludwig van Beethoven with the 36 Greek Dances of Nikos Skalkotas. The highlight of this summer tour was GYSO’s participation in the international music festival for youth orchestras “Young Euro Classic”, which took place at the Konzerthaus Berlin in August 2021.

• In the 4 years of GYSO’s operation, more than 200 musicians from 37 cities in Greece and abroad have been selected, following auditions, to participate with the Orchestra in the 15 concerts organised, while more than 1,500 students participated in its educational activities.
• During the 2020-2021 artistic season, 62 young musicians of the Orchestra participated in 4 concerts.