About us

Our mission & vision

The Decatur Youth Symphony transforms lives through music by providing students the opportunity to learn and perform music, impacting the culture of our community.

Mission

Vision

The Decatur Youth Symphony will:

  • provide young musicians with the benefits of character development and life lessons provided through team experience

  • strive to ensure that every qualified student will have the opportunity to participate in our programs, regardless of financial need

  • reach out to underserved students by collaborating with other organizations to provide instrumental instruction that develops musical talent, fosters self esteem, enhances academic performance and promotes good citizenship

  • perform at a quality level at all public performances that will make them a source of civic pride for the community and inspiration for their peers

  • expose our community to live music and foster an awareness of and appreciation for many forms of music

Meet our staff
Meet our staff

Our history

  • Spring 1998

    Kay Grubbs, music teacher at Woodmeade Elementary School, piloted a program in which 3rd grade students received class violin lessons through the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

  • Fall 1998

    Jeanne Payne, supervisor of elementary school curriculum for Decatur City Schools, received funding from the Sexton Foundation and Raymon Baker to extend the violin program to all 3rd grade students in the City of Decatur.

  • 2003

    Stan Belsky, local business man, and mayor Lynn Fowler established The Decatur Youth Symphony as a division of Parks and Recreation with Tommy Davis as orchestra director.

  • 2009

    Tommy Davis, conductor of the Decatur Youth Symphony, established a Percussion Ensemble in partnership with Decatur Youth Services.

  • 2011

    Jacob Frank became conductor of Decatur Youth Symphony.

  • 2012

    “Breakfast With the Classics,” a before-school program, began at Woodmeade Elementary.

  • 2015

    Aaron Plunkett, percussion instructor, formed the World Percussion Ensemble at Boys and Girls Club, and in 2016 added Woodmeade Elementary.

  • 2016

    Decatur Youth Symphony assumed administration of the “3rd grade Violin Program”, moving it to the 2nd grade.

  • 2018

    Decatur Youth Symphony reached 12 orchestras/ensembles and an enrollment of over 300. Our outreach program expanded to Austinville, Cedar Ridge, Walter Jackson, and in the fall of 2018 added guitar at Eastwood. The future growth of the arts in Decatur has no limits. The story of Decatur Youth Symphony is being written as every note is played.

  • 2019

    COVID struck our community. While most organizations had to move to virtual programming, Decatur Youth Symphony was able to continue orchestra rehearsals and private lessons. School and percussion programs were suspended for that school year.

  • 2025

    Our programs not only returned to post-COVID levels but surpassed them! We added several talented staff members, expanded both string and percussion outreach classes, resumed the 3rd grade violin program, and grew in our beginner classes and orchestras. We excitedly look toward the future as we seek to transform the lives of students through music.

Board of Directors

  • Stevi Price, President

  • Kay Grubbs, Vice President 

  • Rebekah McLaughlin, Second Vice President

  • Emily Reischman, Treasurer 

  • Sarah K. Smith, Co-treasurer

  • Emily Davis, Secretary

  • Angie Whittington

  • Beth Weinbaum

  • Matt Rouse

  • Richard McCann

  • Suraya Cannon 

  • Sue Mitchell

  • Jennifer Bunnell 

  • Charles Langham 

  • Tim Lovelace 

  • Jessica Clark