Our Mission Statement
Reaching and Inspiring Youth through Music: To enrich the current and future lives of Conejo Valley youth, of all ages, aspirations and levels, through a unique musical experience, while also developing key life skills in a setting of mutual respect, learning and fun.
History of CVYO
The Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra was founded in 1961 by Betty Bowen, at California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California. Since 1961, changes in public school funding and philosophy, regarding music education, have changed dramatically. Very few schools now offer an orchestra as part of their music curriculum.
Our program continues to develop and enhance the music education of local students and to provide symphonic orchestral music experience as a supplement to music education in the schools. We collaborate with like organizations such as the Conejo Civic Ballet, the Los Robles Children’s Choir and the Moorpark College Jazz Ensemble to promote performing arts for young people and present performance opportunities which are generally not available to music students in our community. Over the years, many of our students have gone on to pursue music career goals at some of the premier music schools in the country.
In addition to our long-time support from CLU, CVYO has now also forged a new relationship with Westminster Presbyterian Church in Westlake Village, California. The Church graciously provides its beautiful facilities to CVYO for our rehearsals and meetings. Through the generous support of WPC we have been able to accommodate the significant growth that has occurred in the organization over the past few years. CVYO now enrolls over 250 students within our orchestral programs. Students range in age from 5 to 21, representing communities from Ventura and Los Angeles counties. There are currently 3 levels available: Conejo Valley Youth Strings, Conejo Valley Preparatory Youth Orchestra and Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra. The orchestras rehearse weekly from September through June.
