Our Story
The Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus (YOGC) was formed in May of 1993, by Lynn Whiddon and Charlyn Kerr, staunch supporters of arts in our community, with a mission to provide a high level of musical instruction to the youth in our area. Currently the program serves approximately 85 young musicians from over thirty area public, private, and home schools in both Georgia and Alabama. We have students as young as 11, all the way up through their senior year in high school.
Since our founding 30 years ago, we have been proud to witness how our activities have benefitted the Valley Area community and beyond. Want to take part? Contribute to our work by donating today!
Mission Statement
To teach young people about music. To provide the opportunity for young instrumentalists to have the highest quality musical experience in an orchestral setting. To foster the discipline necessary to be successful in music, recognizing that this discipline is invaluable in life and other pursuits. To instill a sense of value of the arts as an enrichment in every aspect of life.
Providing an opportunity for young people to learn, perform and enjoy classical music!
Our Programs
String Orchestra
Made up of mostly middle school students, our String Orchestra is comprised of violin, viola, and cello sections. They rehearse weekly with our Music Director and Conductor, Jim Palmer, and also alongside our Academy Director and Associate Conductor, Jaris Tobler.
Symphonic Orchestra
The Symphonic Orchestra is our largest program, consisting of mostly high school students. This program features a fully symphonic make up, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion sections. They perform standard repertoire and rehearse weekly with our Music Director and Conductor, Jim Palmer.
Youth Orchestra Academy
At the start of the 2024-25 season, the YOGC received a generous grant from The Bradley-Turner Foundation to pilot “The Youth Orchestra Academy.” Muscogee County students who have not had the resources to participate in YOGC were nominated for the program by their school Music Directors. Under the direction of our new Associate Conductor Jaris Tobler, the Academy students receive small group coaching, individual support, and an ensemble experience. This program is designed to expand the reach of YOGC and provide talented young musicians with the opportunity to develop their musical skills.
Chamber Ensembles
Each season a few of our students are formed into various ensembles to continue honing their instrumental craft by learning to play as a small group. YOGC contracts specialized coaches to instruct these ensembles weekly, and they perform at our seasonal concerts, as well as several community events throughout the year.
Summer String Camp
Every first week of June, we are privileged to host over fifty area students who desire to learn more about their stringed instrument. We employ multiple string coaches from around the state to coach, mentor, and direct these students, and we finish off with a bang at our annual String Camp Concert at the end of the week. If a String Camp student wishes to be a part of the String or Youth Orchestra the following season, they do not have to audition!
Our Team
The Faces of Our Organization
Jim Palmer
Music Director & Conductor
Jaris Tobler
Academy Director &
Associate Conductor
Rachel Morway
Executive Director
Board of Directors
OFFICERS
President
Kathleen Mullins​​
​
Vice President
Karen Lewis
​
Treasurer
Joseph Brannan
Secretary
Laura Hart
BOARD
Dr. Michael Cater
Sean Chapman
George Del Gobbo
Jayne Dunn
Dr. Bonnie Ellis
Janet Handy
Amy Harkness
Edson Jean-Jacques
Jeanne Martz