The Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus (YOGC) will host their Fall Concert tomorrow night, October 28, at Spencer High School from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Their ensemble features student musicians from across Columbus and Phenix City. The String Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra will perform selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and Sibelius’ Finlandia. Admission is free.
Before tonight’s rehearsal for the concert, we caught up with the new Executive Director of the YOGC, Madison Flynn. She is the former musical director of Carver High School.
“The Youth Orchestra provides an amazing opportunity for students and gives them learning opportunities such as collaborating with the Columbus Ballet and bringing in other accomplished musicians to perform with them,” explained Flynn.
YOGC was formed in May of 1993 by Lynn Whiddon and Charlyn Kerr, staunch supporters of arts in the community, with a mission to provide a high level of musical instruction to the youth in the Chattahoochee Valley. Currently, the program serves approximately 85 young musicians from over thirty areas, including public, private, and home schools in both Georgia and Alabama. The orchestra has students as young as 11, all the way up through their senior year in high school.
Music education is a powerful tool that shapes students’ lives, providing them with skills that extend far beyond the classroom. For many students, music class is the highlight of their day, the one place where they feel truly connected, supported by their peers, and free to express themselves. In a world where so many young people are searching for meaning and connection, music provides a lifeline—helping students discover their strengths, build resilience, and find joy in learning.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that students who participated in music programs scored significantly higher in math, science, and English than those who did not.
Jim Palmer has directed the YOGC for 21 years. He would likely agree with that impact. This is a man so committed to sharing the love of music that he lives in Kennesaw, teaches music at Allatoona High School in Acworth, and drives to Columbus to conduct the YOGC.
Palmer is just one of the reasons the Youth Orchestra is thriving. They were given a grant from the Bradley Turner Foundation to start the Youth Orchestra Academy last year.
“The academy is thriving. We now have more students and are opening to middle schools as well as high school students. It’s not only the positive impact for the students but for the community. We have a thriving arts community here, and the YOGC and other music programs add to that,” said Flynn.
To support the YOGC, visit here.
