The Granite Youth Symphony Orchestra, sponsored by Granite School District in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a unique organization made up of student musicians selected by audition from the district’s eight high schools.  The orchestra was organized in 1957 for the primary purpose of providing for its outstanding secondary music students the challenge of a greater opportunity for musical growth and accomplishment, to inspire and lead their classmates to greater musicianship and enjoyment through membership in their own school orchestras and bands, and to represent Granite School District in various civic and cultural functions while also stimulating community interest in music education.
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Many of the participating students study regularly with members of the world famous Utah Symphony Orchestra, and most perform as soloists and as members of small ensembles The group tours each summer, traveling to not only many cities in the west, but also to such places as Washington D.C. to perform in the Kennedy Center, New York City to perform in Carnegie Hall, and to Florida to perform at the International  Society of Music Educators’ Convention in Tampa.