The Jackson Symphony values its role in our community and strives to serve others however we can.

The Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra is a vibrant full-sized symphony orchestra of young talented musicians from the Jackson area.

The Jackson Symphony Youth 
Orchestra was founded in 1991 by 
The Jackson Symphony’s principal 
violist, Margaret Thomas. The Youth 
Orchestra’s current director is Grace 
Shaw, a leading violinist and conductor
in The Jackson Symphony, who herself
was a member of the youth orchestra. The ensemble provides excellent performance opportunities for these young musicians by preparing them to master a wide variety of orchestral literature. Members are expected to maintain a high level of commitment to the ensemble and frequently receive additional professional sectional training and coaching from musicians of The Jackson Symphony. The youth orchestra performs regularly each season with The Jackson Symphony orchestra musicians in side-by-side concerts. Many of our former students have gone on to be professional musicians and educators, and many more are supporters and contributors to the music and fine arts environments in their communities. 

Conductor Peter Shannon has always had a strong desire to connect music and healing. For over a decade he has developed and shepherded programs at hospitals, cancer institutes and hospice settings and has continued this work in Jackson at the Kirkland Cancer Center. Together with Dr. Jacqueline Huntly, MD, board certified in preventive medicine and a Fellow in Integrative Medicine, he has created a series of workshops for musicians and healthcare professionals. In 2018, hosted by cardiologist Dr. Sandra Dee, their program “Nurturing the Inner Healer” premiered in Jackson. 

                                                                                      His production of The Magic Flute was                                                                                                 tailored originally for sick children, but later                                                                                             was modified to include individuals of all                                                                                               ages with cognitive and developmental                                                                                                 challenges. The program has been a                                                                                                     hugely successful collaboration with                                                                                                       Dr. Mark Simmons and the music                                                                                                           students at UTM, fostering the                                                                                                           healing connection that can arise                                                                                                     between musicians and patients.