Yamhill County, OR – Yamhill Enrichment Society, a non-profit offering music and literacy enrichment programs to Yamhill County youth, is excited to announce the launch of the JOY Youth Orchestra for students in Yamhill County. This program aims to provide an accessible platform for young musicians to grow their talents, collaborate with peers from across the county, and experience the transformative power of music education.

“We believe that music is a way to communicate with and connect with people across all walks of life,” said Amy Brunner, JOY Program Director. “This orchestra program will not only enrich the lives of the students but will also bring the community together through the shared experience of music.”

Starting in September 2025, the JOY Youth Orchestra will offer structured rehearsals and performance opportunities for students in grades 4 through 12 with two or more years of experience on their instrument. This is an opportunity designed to nurture students’ musical abilities, teamwork skills, and passion for the arts. Participation in the program will be by audition and is open to students in Yamhill County with a range of string, wind, and percussion instrument experience.

“We are thrilled to offer this opportunity for young people in Yamhill County to discover and hone their musical talents,” said Alyssa Johnson, Executive Director of YES. “The JOY program was launched in 2017 at Edwards Elementary with a dream of one day offering a countywide youth orchestra. We are excited to be able to put that dream into reality. Music education is a powerful tool for building confidence, discipline, and creativity, and our goal is to make it accessible to all students in the area. Whether they are beginners or experienced musicians, we want every child to feel welcomed and empowered to participate.”

YES, founded by Susan Sokol Blosser in 2017, began the JOY program by providing weekly in-school violin instruction to every kindergartner at Edwards Elementary School in Newberg, Oregon, as part of their music education curriculum. Since then, the program has grown annually, expanding to include more grade levels, schools, and instruments. Today, JOY serves over 970 children across nine schools in Yamhill County. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum, skilled teaching artists, and instruments for both in-school and after-school programs. The K-1 program is offered free of charge to schools and parents, while a small tuition is charged for after-school programs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Alyssa Johnson Executive Director

Yamhill Enrichment Society Phone: 503-883-9654

Email:alyssa@yamhillenrichmentsociety.org