About CALOS

CALOS Youth Orchestra is proud to be entering its 6th season of operation. Formerly known as the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra, the organization comprises young instrumentalists from St. John’s and surrounding communities on the Northeast Avalon including the Clarenville area. With participants ranging in age from 11 to 25, CALOS is the largest and foremost training program for young orchestral instrumentalists in the province. Led by Artistic Director Grant Etchegary, CALOS offers three sequentially structured orchestras, the String Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Combined Junior Orchestra and Senior Orchestra. We also offer five beginner programs in oboe, bassoon, french horn, viola, and double bass. CALOS provides both high-quality and accessible orchestra and ensemble experiences. The organization also provides public, educational, and outreach performance opportunities for its membership.

Our Mission

The mission of CALOS Youth Orchestras is to encourage and develop the musical and social abilities of young people who have the desire and potential to play and participate in accessible, high-quality orchestra and ensemble programs.

Our Logo

Our logo symbolizes the expansion of sound waves as they move away from the stage where the orchestra plays. Lines from the central point in negative space bounce back and forth rippling outwards to represent the way music reaches out to all of us. The shapes created also mimic the crashing waves of the sea in bright colours to show how talented individuals can work together for one resounding purpose. The contrasting colours represent the diverse nature of our organization in terms of age, ethnicity, and opportunity. In Latin, “CALOS” means “to celebrate”. In Greek, “CALOS” is used to describe someone who is beautiful, an outward sign of the inward good, noble, and possessing honourable character. A person with “CALOS” is good, worthy, honourable, noble, and seen to be so.

Our History

The CALOS (Kai’-lohs) Youth Orchestra was originally formed in the late 1960s by a group of enthusiastic young musicians, conducted by Gordon Bartlett. Marjorie Doyle, a well-known author and broadcaster led the charge in gathering the necessary personnel and leadership to create an opportunity for young musicians to play orchestral music. The orchestra operated as part of the MUN Extension Service, maintained a vibrant place within the music education culture of St. John’s, and was supported by numerous service, religious and academic institutions.

The orchestra continued to function under the auspices of the CALOS name until the 1980s when, under the direction of Peter Gardner, the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra was formed.

Throughout its history, NSYO/CALOS has worked to develop the musical talent of young instrumental musicians in our province and produce leaders in the global music community. Since its existence, NSYO has shared the joy and discipline of orchestral music-making with over 500 young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Many of our alumni have gone to play with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and other professional orchestras and ensembles across the continent and around the world. Some of the NSYO’s well-known performing alumni are Mark Fewer (violin, St. Lawrence String Quartet), Sean Rice (clarinet, National Arts Centre Orchestra), Heather Tuach (cello, Fitzwilliam String Quartet), Lynn Kuo (violin, assistant concertmaster of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra), Rafael Hoekman (cello, Calgary Philharmonic), Jennie Press (violin, Vancouver Symphony), Romano DiNillo (percussionist, WICKED The Musical), Joshua Ward and Romesh Thavanthan (Hey Rosetta!), Andrew Dale (The Once), Kellie Walsh (Artistic Director, Lady Cove Women’s Choir & Shallaway) and Heather Kao (Concertmaster of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra).  Even those who have not followed a career in music have been enriched by the musical, cultural, and social experiences that playing in a youth orchestra offers.

In 2019, the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra rebranded as CALOS Youth Orchestras, and renewed our connection with Memorial University School of Music. CALOS acknowledges a legacy of musical excellence at a time when instrumental music in Newfoundland and Labrador was in its infancy and recognizes the contributions of outstanding instrumental educators like Gordon Bartlett and Dr. Peter Gardner in building the orchestra. In collaboration with the MUN School of Music, we look forward to providing young musicians with a place to experience the wonderful world of orchestral music-making.