Established in 1950 as an all-city string ensemble and morphing through the decades into the Kiwanis Youth Orchestra, the Fresno Junior Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Fresno Youth Philharmonic, today’s Youth Orchestras of Fresno now include the Youth Chamber Orchestra, the Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. With a dedicated professional staff and a host of volunteers, this nonprofit arts group each year selects and trains some 260 participants of diverse ages and backgrounds from counties throughout California’s Central Valley. The Youth Orchestras also offer an El-Sistema-inspired free afterschool Accent on Access Violin Program.