The 70th anniversary of Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO), one of the oldest arts organizations in Seattle and the largest youth orchestra training program in the United States is the focus for a benefit event at Salty's on Alki Beach, October 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Singer/pianist Victor Janusz will be joined by SYSO members for a "Special Surprise Performance" to open the show.

Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and there is no admission charge.

The music will be provided by Salty's resident brunch piano-man and emcee Victor Janusz.

A press release about the event explains:
Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras (SYSO) provides life-changing musical experiences for talented students in the Pacific Northwest, regardless of their financial resources. Since its founding in 1942, SYSO has been the leading provider of high-level music education in the region. The 1,500 students (ages 7 to 23 in its four academic-year orchestras) receive direct music instruction and offer classical music performances to around 15,000 Puget Sound-area audience members.

SYSO also offers free music instruction in area public schools through "SYSO in the Schools." This program incorporates the Endangered Instruments Program (EIP), begun in 1990 to address the scarcity of players of "endangered" orchestral instruments. The EIP has since been emulated across the U.S. and internationally. In 2008, SYSO was chosen for an Excellence Award from The Wallace Foundation and put its four-year $500,000 grant to work in support of a partnership with Seattle Public Schools (SPS) based on an expanded version of EIP called "SYSO in the Schools." The SPS/SYSO partnership has been an unqualified success, with SPS seeing a significant growth in access to and participation in instrumental music programs for underserved students in the diverse southwest sector of the school district.

SYSO’s 2012-2013 SYSO season honors seventy years of high-caliber orchestral music by tripling the amount of concerts it normally presents. The unprecedented nine-concert season offers expanded opportunities to hear talented young musicians perform across Seattle. Under the baton of Music Director Stephen Rogers Radcliffe, programming includes colorful repertoire from the classical and romantic eras performed in November, January and May. Then a gala concert on April 28 showcases the top-level Youth Symphony along with its three training orchestras in celebration of SYSO’s 70th Anniversary. SYSO further expands its reach through a partnership with Seattle Opera presenting three world premiere performances on February 10, April 20 and August 3, 2013 of “Our Earth,” a young audience’s opera cycle commissioned in conjunction with the Opera’s signature production of Wagner’s “The Ring.” SYSO also continues its multi-year collaboration with Pacific Northwest Ballet accompanying the performances of the PNB School’s Professional Division dancers for A Day of Dance on June 15, 2013.

Salty's monthly "Tuesday Tune-Ups" support local non-profit organizations in their efforts to raise money for a worthy cause. Keep an eye out for our upcoming "Tuesday Tune-Up's":

Coming up next on November 13: WestSide Baby (WestSide Baby)