Welcome to Lakeland Youth Symphony. 

Since 1957 Lakeland Youth Symphony has provided musical education and performance opportunities for young musicians in Northern New Jersey. The organization now offers four progressively challenging levels of orchestras for experienced students, and a wonderful Prelude violin program for beginners. The goal of the Lakeland Youth Symphony is to enrich the lives of children through music!

The Lakeland Youth Symphony is a not-for-profit organization. Funding is provided through tuition, private donations and fundraising activities. A scholarship program exists to make this opportunity accessible to all.

conveniently located in Whippany and Denville, NJ

65 Years in the Making

Lakeland Youth Symphony was founded 1957 by parents, music teachers and friends who wished to broaden the string ensemble opportunities for young musicians in the Lakeland, now Morris County, area. Lakeland Youth Symphony began with a string ensemble of a few high school students. Today, Lakeland Youth Symphony has expanded to offer programs to over 150 children ranging in age from five to eighteen. This once small, single orchestra, has grown into four  orchestras with a unique Prelude program for beginners as young as five.

The Prelude program sets Lakeland Youth Symphony apart from other youth orchestral programs. It is a great opportunity for young students to start their music instruction in a nurturing and interactive environment between the student, teacher and parent.

The Lakeland Youth Symphony’s orchestral program provides an unparalleled opportunity for string students in grades one through twelve to develop orchestral techniques, musicianship and knowledge of string orchestra and full orchestra literature. The program allows students of violin, viola, cello, and string bass an extraordinary opportunity to both perform traditional and contemporary orchestral music and to study varied techniques, styles and periods of music. The progressive nature of these four groups allows a student to advance at his or her own pace through increasingly more challenging levels.

At the most advanced group, Lakeland Youth Symphony Orchestra, provides a full symphony experience for students and is open to all instruments.

Distinctions

Great Programs for Beginners

In 1983, the Lakeland Youth Symphony began offering a Prelude Program for beginning violin students between the ages of five and eight. This program, customized from the famous Suzuki program, is only provided here. Lakeland Youth Symphony also offers a performing orchestra for students as young as first and second grade. This is a musical experience rarely offered at that grade level.

Conveniently Located

Lakeland Youth Symphony is conveniently located in Whippany and Denville, NJ and easily accessible with sufficient parking. 

An Opportunity for Involvement

Lakeland Youth Symphony offers parents an opportunity to guide and share in the Lakeland experience by helping to plan and organize our many events, workshops and concerts. What a great way to support the arts for our children!

A Growing Board of Directors

Pamela Heinrich, LYS parent and a board member for several years, welcomes new members to join in shaping the future of the organization. This is one of the many wonderful aspects of Lakeland. Parents can become involved and really make a difference in the future of our children!