DC Youth Orchestra Program
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The DC Youth Orchestra Program (DCYOP) is an American instrumental music education program in Washington, D.C. Although it is well known for its Youth Orchestra ensemble, it is a 12-level, curriculum-based (K-12) music education program that provides instrumental music classes for students throughout the Washington, D.C. area during after-school hours. The DCYOP is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization chartered in Washington, D.C. It is also a member of the League of American Orchestras, Americans for the Arts, and the United Way of the National Capitol Area.
The program was founded in 1960 by Lyn McLain with Marian Banner and Loran Stephenson, Sr., and has an average term enrollment of over 600 students between the ages of four-and-a-half and nineteen. The program currently has six orchestras, three wind ensembles, two string orchestras, and one jazz ensemble. The most advanced orchestra, simply known as the Youth Orchestra, has toured in more than nineteen countries and played for multiple U.S. Presidents.
Usually 100 percent of the students who graduate from the DCYOP also graduate from high school. Of those, 90-95 percent go on to attend college. The DCYOP's mission is to provide access to instrumental music education and orchestral training for all students of the D.C. area, regardless of socioeconomic status or prior experience.
[edit] Timeline of organization
1960 - DCYOP founded by Lyn McLain, Marian Banner, and Loran Stephenson Sr., at the request of the DC Public Schools, with a handful of teachers and 60 students.
1961 - First season begins at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School in NW DC
1970 - DCYOP's first international tour, Switzerland
1970 - Youth Orchestra performs at the Music Educators' National Convention (MENC) in Pittsburg, PA.
1970 - DCYOP receives Mayor's Commendation from Mayor Walter E. Washington, for Outstanding Performance and Exceptional Achievement and for Bringing Honor to the People and City of Washington DC
1972 - International tour to Germany, including participation in the Von Karajan Festival in Berlin
1974 - International tour to Scotland and London, including participation in the International Youth Orchestra Festival
1978 - International tour to Japan
1981 - International tour to Greece and Yugoslavia
1983 - The Hotel Association of Washington DC honors the DC Youth Orchestra Program for outstanding contributions to the city of Washington
1984 - International tour to Puerto Rico
1985 - Lyn McLain receives Outstanding Community Service award from the District of Columbia National Guard
1986 - International tour to China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan
1987 - International tour to Puerto Rico and South Korea
1987 - Plaque of Appreciation awarded by the Korean Cultural Foundation, Inc., and the Sun Hwa Arts and High School
1987 - Mayor's Arts Award, Excellence in Service to the Arts, presented to DCYOP by the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities
1987 - Lyn McLain given Washingtonian of the Year award, Washington, DC
1988 - International tour to Puerto Rico, Russia, and Estonia
1989 - International tour to Spain
1990 - First Youth Orchestra ever showcased at an American Symphony Orchestra League Conference, 45th annual conference
1992 - DCYOP receives Adjudicator Award at the Heritage Music Festival in Toronto, Canada
1992 - DCYOP receives Outstanding Instrumental Program award at the Heritage Music Festival in Toronto, Canada
1992 - International tour to Spain
1994 - International tour to Netherlands, France and Belgium
1996 - International tour to Netherlands, France and Belgium
1997 - First Annual Benefit Gala/Concert
1997 - DCYOP and Lyn McLain nominated one of 28 organizations/individuals to receive the Merrow Report award Searching for Heroes
1998 - DCYOP receives award in recognition of outstanding performance at the Martin Luther King Jr. Observance, in Fort Monmouth, NJ from the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command
1999 - Exemplary Award given to the DCYOP by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
1999 - International tour to Austria and Germany
2002 - Coming Up Taller award presented to the DCYOP by Laura Bush
2002 - International tour to South Africa
2002 - Takao Kanayama hired as conductor for the Youth Orchestra
2003 - Mayor's Arts Award, Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education, presented to DCYOP by the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities
2003 - International tour to Japan
2004 - DCYOP hires first Executive Director, Ava Spece
2004 - Benefit Concert sponsored by the Organization of American States
2004 - Students perform at the Coming Up Taller Awards event in DC
2005 - DCYOP celebrates 45th Anniversary
2005 - Students perform at the White House for Helping America's Youth Conference reception and for First Lady Laura Bush
2005 - Guest conducting appearance by Mr. Marvin Hamlisch, at the December holiday concert at the Kennedy Center
2005 - DCYOP announces that they are seeking a new facility for classes and rehearsals
2006 - Founder Lyn McLain announces that he is stepping down from the podium for health reasons
2006 - Founder Lyn McLain announces that he is resigning from his office of President of the Board of Directors
2007 - DCYOP announces appointment of Maestro Jesus Manuel Berard as conductor of the Youth Orchestra
2007 - Alumni Orchestra Concert and Celebration at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall, July 8th.
