The RYO, which was founded in 1990, is a member of the Community Arts Council of Richmond and is a registered non-profit society and charity. A Board of Directors oversees its operation. It has three sections, the Senior Orchestra, Intermediate Ensemble and Junior Strings. The Senior Orchestra is under the direction or Mr. Spencer Bach. The Intermediate String Ensemble is under the direction of Ms. Idara Mizutani and the Junior String Music Director is Mr. Wai Mizutani. Both Ms. Idara and Wai Mizutani also instruct the Senior Orchestra as Strings Sectional Instructors.

The goals of the RYO Society is to provide opportunities for young musicians and students.

• to learn, perform and appreciate music in an orchestral setting.

• to encourage and promote musical activities of the students.

• and to maintain a high quality of concert performances and involvement of the students in the community.

In addition, the Orchestra strives to let its students have fun in the musical setting while they work as a team to develop their musical abilities.

The Orchestra is open to dedicated musicians between the ages of six and twenty five, who play any orchestra instrument, and is not restricted to the residents of Richmond. New members are required to audition for placement in the orchestra. The auditions are normally held in mid-June and in early September at the start of the orchestra season, and at other times by prior arrangement. Successful applicants have typically played their instruments for at least two years under the guidance of a private music teacher.