The Greater Miami Youth Symphony has served the youth and community of Miami-Dade County since the 1950's. Approximately 250 students, ages 5-18, from many diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and communities, meet weekly in orchestra rehearsals, chamber groups, and beginning instrumental classes. GMYS meets the needs of many disadvantaged Miami-Dade youth by providing scholarships so that no child is turned away for financial reasons. In the 2005-06 season, GMYS also began to offer an outreach PreStarter String Classes, free beginning string instrument instruction and instruments at three sites in Miami-Dade (Homestead, Kendall, Kendale Lakes), in order to expand the impact that GMYS has in the community and on music education in Miami-Dade. GMYS has also successfully increased the number of students in each of the three orchestras, thus increasing the number of students served by GMYS approximately 67%. The performance level of each orchestra has also increased in the 2005-06 season due to the dedication of the Music and Administrative Staff and volunteer Board and parents. The GMYS is a 501 @(3) not-for-profit organization. The support provided by several grants, corporate and private donations, as well as the time of teachers, parents, relatives, friends, and volunteers combined, make The Greater Miami Youth Symphony "A Total Community Project."