One study involved 90 boys from ages 6 to 15.  half of them were in the school orchestra and the other half had no musical training.  The music students retained more words in a verbal memory test than the non-music students.  While participating in a musical group, a young person learns to work with his fellow musicians, to accept making mistakes and moving on, to develop sympath for another person having trouble learning the music and have a wider appreciation of cultures from around the world.
To quote music professor Martha Nusbaum, ''a musical education cultivates human beings rather than producing useful machines''.  Music can increase self-esteem, develop creative thinking, problem solving and communication skills.
The Hernando Youth Orchestra Inc., a non-profit Florida Corporation, was formed in the summer of 2007. We aim to meet the needs of the community by providing an orchestra for young people and help find music scholarships for youth who cannot afford an instrument and/or lessons to participate.
 
Membership is open to anyone under the age of 18 provided they have some level of proficiency on their chosen instrument. In order to encourage all to participate no audition is required for the main orchestra. String players desiring more advanced work have the opportunity to play in a string quartet which does require an audition.
 
Since it's foundation, the HYO has performed fourteen free concerts, including two for the city of Brooksville, Christmas concerts at the Hernando county's Band shell and three for the Hernando Fine Art Council including two for  "Art in the Park".
 
The orchestra is funded by grants, community organizations and individual sponsors.
 
The orchestra meets most saturday mornings at 11:00 am for rehearsal.
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Conductor: Roland Hanneman a/k/a John St.John
Assistant Conductor, Allan Breithaupt
 
Executive Director: Annevirginia Clements
Director: Roland Hanneman a/k/a John St.John
Director: Robert Barnes / George Rubis
Photos from our October 8, 2011 Brooksville Woman's Club Concert (Click photos to enlarge).