Youth Orchestra

MCYO Ensembles

The symphony orchestra is a special kind of ensemble. It is truly amazing what so many different kinds of instruments and people can create together. The literature of the symphony is prolific with a long standing tradition. We strive to keep that tradition alive by providing young musicians an opportunity to learn and master these great works of art, but this is merely a portion of what we do. A diverse and multifaceted arts education gives students skills to be open minded, empathetic, innovative, and discerning members of society. Through performing arts we foster environments where students can learn and grow graciously. Collaborative arts teaches us how to make mistakes, acknowledge them, and correct them in a team environment. We learn how to do better in collaboration with those around us. We look forward to the bright, beautiful future that these students will create.

MCYO Events

We are performing three concerts this season, all at Kamiakin High School (600 N Arthur St, Kennewick, WA 99336)

November 20, 2023

February 29, 2024   6:30PM

June 3, 2024

MCYO History

In 2015, after several years of hiatus, the Youth Symphony was revived under the direction of Adrienne Fletcher. The MCYO is now an established audition only program that performs high level orchestral repertoire. The MCYO has grown to include two ensembles: Youth Symphony and Cadet Strings. It performs three main-stage concerts a season, and collaborates with other local youth performing groups. We provide a unique, educational symphony experience for students from all over the Tri-Cities who are interested in pursuing music in an extracurricular setting.

Youth Music Director


Adrienne Fletcher currently serves as the Music Director of the Mid-Columbia Youth Orchestras and the Assistant Conductor of the Mid-Columbia Symphony. She is also the Music Director for the Ellensburg High School Winter Musical and a recurring Music Director for Valley Musical Theatre. She has previously served as Assistant Conductor for Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Guest Conductor for Yakima Youth Symphony Orchestra, Assistant Conductor for Central Washington University Symphony Orchestra and Opera Production, and Guest Conductor for the Kittitas Valley Youth Orchestra.

Fletcher remains active as a performing musician. As a harpist, she has played with several ensembles including the Olympia Symphony, Tacoma Concert Band, and Tacoma Opera. She has most recently played for Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra and CWU Symphony Orchestra. Last year, she joined CWU Wind Ensemble to record the music of Alan Hovahness for Naxos Music Library. She works frequently as a vocal coach and collaborative pianist in central Washington state. She has worked with the Suzuki Association of Washington State as an accompanist at their annual festival at CWU and she collaborates frequently with the CWU voice department as a pianist and répétiteur. She is an enthusiast for opera repertoire and is an active opera coach. Her most recent credits include CWU’s production of Die Fledermaus and Gianni Schicchi and Valley Musical Theatre’s production of Amahl and the Night Visitors.

Fletcher holds a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting and Vocal Performance/Pedagogy from Central Washington University and a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree in Harp from Pacific Lutheran University. Her primary teachers have been Dr. Nikolas Caoile, Dr. Edwin Powell, and Dr. Jeffery Bell-Hanson. A native of Forest Grove, Oregon, Adrienne Fletcher currently resides in Richland, Washington. She also enjoys reading books, watching films, and sipping a good cup of coffee.