The YSO founder and music director is Imant Raminsh of Coldstream, a distinguished composer who has been honored with many awards both here and abroad. Raminsh has been providing dedicated leadership to the YSO since 1989. This fall (2010), the YSO welcomes Dennis Colpitts as co-music director. Dennis brings a wealth of experience as teacher, conductor, and professional musician within the school and local community here in the Okanagan and previously in the Lower Mainland. The musicians have also had the privilege to be led on occasion by Rosemary Thomson, conductor of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra.

The Youth Symphony of the Okanagan gives young musicians the opportunity to experience the joy of learning to play and perform classical music with other young musicians. In addition, they may have the chance to submit and conduct their own compositions.

Approximate age range is from 12 to 25 years with additional adult players invited to fill in gaps for the concert weekend.
Many of these young musicians have been studying music from a young age and are performing at advanced levels on their respective instruments.

They meet for approximately 10 full-day rehearsals on Saturdays, beginning in early October and culminating in their spring weekend of concerts in Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton. Rehearsals take place in Vernon and Kelowna.

The YSO has been an important stepping stone for many musicians raised in the Okanagan Valley who have gone on to play with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, and other professional orchestras in Canada and beyond. Many students have completed or are currently pursuing post-secondary degrees or full-time careers in music education or performance.