The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) and Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS) will form an alliance that shares resources but keeps the two organizations independent. Amir Kats, GTCYS artistic director, said his group will move its office from Minneapolis to the SPCO Center in downtown St. Paul in June.
GTCYS, established in 1972, serves about 600 students each year with educational programs and about 20 performances. Kats said those operations -- including fall and spring festivals at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis -- will continue, unaffected by the move.
GTCYS and the SPCO already collaborate. SPCO musicians coach students in the "Saturday Special" program, and Artistic Partners Roberto Abbado and Nicholas McGegan have guest-conducted for the group. The SPCO also has offered low-priced and free tickets to GTCYS families.
Sarah Lutman, president of the SPCO, said the partnership allows her organization to mentor GTCYS on fundraising and management strategies. "A stronger GTCYS is good for the SPCO," Lutman said. "The SPCO Center is a big place and we can accommodate their staff and library."
GTCYS has offices in the Hennepin Center for the Arts in downtown Minneapolis. It has an annual budget of about $570,000. SPCO operates on expenses of roughly $11 million annually.
Graydon Royce • 612-673-7299
