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Pay no attention to the site behind the curtain
  • Home
  • Our Program
    • Youth Symphony
    • Concert Orchestra
    • Preparatory Orchestra
    • Dolce String Ensemble
    • Percussion Ensemble
    • Jr. Jazz Orchestra
    • Sr. Jazz Orchestra
    • Suzuki School of Music
    • Summer Jazz Ensembles
  • Join YMI
    • Audition Information
    • Application
  • About
    • Overview
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Concerts and Events
    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Careers
  • Support
    • Moonlight Serenades
    • Donate
    • Shop to Support
    • Program Advertising
  • Suzuki School of Music
    • About Suzuki
    • Suzuki Fees and Schedule
    • Suzuki Staff
    • Suzuki Handbook
    • Pre-Twinkle Class
    • Suzuki FAQ
    • Contact Suzuki
  • Members
    • Absences
    • Resource Links
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Handbook

About Youth Music Illinois

Youth Music Illinois (then called the Central Illinois Youth Symphony) was founded in 1965 by a group of music educators as a way to showcase the best players in the Peoria District 150 high school orchestras. Since then, it's grown to include two string ensembles, two full orchestras, two jazz ensembles, a percussion ensemble, and a Suzuki School of Music. No longer serving only Peoria, our students come from 30 communities in Central Illinois - often from as far away as Bloomington or Galesburg. Alumni from Youth Music Illinois have gone on to become musicians in some of the nation's top orchestras, but also work in a whole host of other career paths all over the world. Some even return to direct ensembles and teach Suzuki lessons at YMI!  Our mission is to mentor area youth to develop a repertoire of skills for both music and life through the power of live performance, and as such, we have formal concerts at the end of each semester, as well as smaller, more informal concerts throughout the year.

​We are thrilled to be able to offer the programs that we do, and hope that the founders would be proud of the way we carry on their legacy to serve student musicians in Central Illinois. 

Dolce String Ensemble

An idea first ensemble experience, where students learn orchestra etiquette, note reading, and counting

Preparatory String Orchestra

Focus on ensemble leadership, technical and expressive skills, and vibrato. 

Concert Orchestra


Full orchestra that focuses on consistent control of instruments and introduction of classical repertoire. 

Youth Symphony

Full orchestra designed for advanced players. 

Jr. Jazz Orchestra

Performs jazz repertoire, focusing on improv, jazz theory, and ear training.

Sr. Jazz Orchestra

Advanced jazz ensemble that performs challenging music.

Percussion Ensemble

Mallet and battery ensembles that perform standard percussion literature. 
It is our goal that all hard-working and talented young musicians are able to participate in our programs. As such, we offer tuition assistance and remission for families that qualify based on the Income Eligibility Guidelines for the USDA's Child Nutrition Programs.
Lidia Riley ~ Executive Director
​
execdir@youthmusicillinois.org 
David Commanday ~ Music Director dcommanday@youthmusicillinois.org

Laura Otto~Director, Suzuki School of Music
SuzukiDirector@ciys.org
Youth Music Illinois
3601 North Sheridan Road
Peoria, Illinois 61604 
  • Home
  • Our Program
    • Youth Symphony
    • Concert Orchestra
    • Preparatory Orchestra
    • Dolce String Ensemble
    • Percussion Ensemble
    • Jr. Jazz Orchestra
    • Sr. Jazz Orchestra
    • Suzuki School of Music
    • Summer Jazz Ensembles
  • Join YMI
    • Audition Information
    • Application
  • About
    • Overview
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Concerts and Events
    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Careers
  • Support
    • Moonlight Serenades
    • Donate
    • Shop to Support
    • Program Advertising
  • Suzuki School of Music
    • About Suzuki
    • Suzuki Fees and Schedule
    • Suzuki Staff
    • Suzuki Handbook
    • Pre-Twinkle Class
    • Suzuki FAQ
    • Contact Suzuki
  • Members
    • Absences
    • Resource Links
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Handbook