When most children are at home from school for the evening, the students of the Youth Symphony Orchestras of East Central Indiana are starting their rehearsals.

The YSOECI offers several levels of classes from Suzuki-based violin classes that teach children between ages 5 and 6, to the Youth Symphony Orchestra, which teaches advanced musicians of varying ages.

Caitlin Carter is a 12-year-old violist for the Youth Symphony Orchestra, the only orchestra in the YSOECI that has two-hour rehearsals.

“Playing an instrument is really important because it can open up a door for opportunities for different people,” Carter said.

For Carter, who moved to Muncie last year from Nebraska, the YSOECI has given her a place to practice her craft and to learn multiple instruments.

Her favorite aspect about joining the YSOECI, however, is the community of friends that she has found.

“They can relate to you when you’re busy, and you need to do homework. Juggling all of that works out with orchestra. They understand what you’re going through,” she said.

The YSOECI was created in 1964 and has experienced a lot of growth since then, but its impact on students has remained consistent.

For example, Tiffany Arnold, Carter’s teacher and the executive director of YSOECI, took violin lessons from the organization when she was in elementary school and it was composed of only one orchestra.

“The program has changed a lot,” Arnold said. “Now we have five different levels of instruction, and we also have two satellite programs.”

Arnold also said the YSOECI has around four times the number of students that were enrolled during her time as a student and they are constantly growing.

“The Youth Symphony has a mission to reach all children in Muncie, Delaware County and surrounding areas,” Arnold said.

Arnold teaches the Suzuki-based classes and has a private studio where she teaches students as young as 2-years-old to play the violin.

Similar to how YSOECI is open to youth of all ages, it is also open to youth of all different backgrounds.

“We’re open to different people, and we’re welcoming. We want to open the door for opportunities to different people. Just for people to experience YSOECI and what we do. It’s quite amazing to see us [perform],” Carter said.

According to Arnold, professional musicians are always thinking of and preparing for their performances. These performances also are achievements for the students, and they are opportunities to raise money for the organization and their students.

These funds can also go towards students from lower-income homes who want to join and participate in the organization.

“We offer financial assistance, and so if anyone is interested in playing, who is a youth, we would love to help them learn to play, so they should contact us,” Arnold said.

Their next performance is 3 p.m., Nov. 17, at Ball State University’s Sursa Performance Hall. It is a silent auction to raise funds for the YSOECI, but the performance is free.

Orchestra rehearsals are on Mondays at the Hargreaves Building at Ball State University.

Cheyenne Taylor is a reporter for a Ball State University arts journalism class.