The GYSO has been honored with the Academy of Athens Award, in recognition of its work and exceptional achievements. The orchestra’s work has been recognized internationally as well, with its selection as a member of the European Federation of National Youth Orchestras (EFNYO), where it is the only representative from Greece.
In November 2024, the GYSO made its historic debut at the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage of Carnegie Hall, in New York City. The most notable performances of the orchestra include its two concerts at the Konzerthaus Berlin, as part of the international Young Euro Classic festival. It is also the first orchestra to be invited by the Hellenic Parliament to perform at the Parliament Mansion, as part of the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament of CoE member states, in October 2021. The concert was broadcast live via tv-channels and web to all the European Parliaments.
Among the significant moments of the GYSO were also its performances in the halls of Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, as well as the collaboration with the Athens & Epidaurus Festival, where musicians of the orchestra participated in concerts in Athens and Ravenna, performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, under the baton of conductor Riccardo Muti. In July 2023, the GYSO was honoured to receive an invitation by HE the President of the Hellenic Republic to present a concert at the Presidential Mansion, as part of the celebration of the 49th anniversary of the Restoration of Democracy in Greece.
With education as its key focus, the GYSO organizes outreach activities, including open rehearsals, seminars, and workshops, aiming to engage young audiences with symphonic music. Furthermore, it is the first orchestra in Greece to use virtual reality technology through the innovative ELSON VR project, offering the audience an unprecedented experience of viewing classical music concerts.
The work of the GYSO is supported by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, which is its Founding Donor, the Hellenic Parliament, the Bank of Greece, The Hellenic Initiative, AEGEAS, Bodossaki Foundation, and Aegean Airlines, as the orchestra’s Official Air Carrier Sponsor.
Since 2020, the GYSO is an Orchestra in Residence at Megaron – the Athens Concert Hall.
