When I reflect on some of my happiest memories during late adolescence / early adulthood, many of them were performing music. And in performing music, COS holds a very special place in my heart.

It's been about ten years since I've performed with COS, but I will never forget that night we performed at Carnegie Hall. The feeling of self-actualization attained through performing the beautiful music we refined and practiced after months of rehearsal and years of practice. It was truly a magical experience and I remember distinctly feeling like if life had ended that same night, it would have been a fulfilling life well-lived.

Children's Orchestra Society provides a safe and welcoming home to young musicians, free of judgment and pressure and committed purely to nurture talent and provide these musicians with the same platform and magical opportunities that I had experienced. For many of us, these are cherished moments that will provide warmth and perspective for the rest of our lives.

The COS is a great organization and deserves recognition as one of the most outstanding nonprofit music programs for the youth in the Metropolitan area. I had the privilege of performing as a soloist in their annual Discovery Gala Concert at Alice Tully Hall, and the students are nothing short of a joy and inspiration to work with. Maestro Dadap and Dr. Ma are immensely positive influences, and they instill a real sense of musicianship and responsibility in the students. Not only does COS strive for musical excellence in all of their classes and performances, but they also teach the students about leadership and what it means for an individual to be an integral part of their community. Making beautiful music and empowering students to be better citizens - what more could you ask for? They are awesome, and will continue to do great things!

Performance is what COS is all about, because the faculty at COS truly believe in the power of music to communicate. There is a lot of pleasure in learning an instrument, but for a student to become a musician she needs to learn performance as well. COS provides that venue, along with discipline, support and camaraderie that foster a rich experience. COS is a great tradition!

COS has been the ultimate experience thus far! Everyone associated with the COS community is extremely supportive, friendly, and great. This is where students, family, and friends come together and enjoy working together. Not only does COS provide an extraordinary musical experience (working with amazing faculty and performances at Lincoln Center), but it also provides a second home. I love spending my time at COS and wish I could go back in time to relive it again!!!

My daughter is a student at COS and I can say that our experience has been wonderful. It is not only the excellence in teaching that have have impressed us, but rather the family atmosphere in this organization and the dedication of the teaching staff and executives to make a profound impact in our children developing on them a love for music. In addition, COS is dedicated to help children at all levels, especially those with financial needs, learn the language of music. This is really a wonderful place for young children to learn how to play the instrument of their choice, for those already playing to develop their skills and those advance players to sharpen their skills.

I absolutely loved my time playing with COS! I made lots of wonderful friends and have the bragging rights to say that I've played at Lincoln Center! The Children's Orchestra Society is run by organized, dedicated, caring people, and I was extremely fortunate to have been served by Yeou-Cheng, Michael, and their music teachers :)

COS is the home of music. Kids, parents and teachers work together with a goal for the best for our kids. There is a healthy environment,it is so heartfelt that it touches friendships. For our second year sending our kids to COS, we deeply feel that we are sending them to a caring family and long time friends every Saturday. Teachers care for their improvement and share their accomplishments in the classroom, they are very supportive as a group. They all surround a community that teaches the kids the value of caring for others. COS has a buddy club,teams of older and experienced musicians celebrate the younger kids birthdays,show them around each level of the orchestra,gather to celebrate holiday or parties. Their caring taught my kids of their friendships and gave them a path to follow. The Parent’s Association is incredible, their involvement touched my heart. Organized by moms & dads, everyone has so much energy and enthusiasm for this music school. Everyone supports the school and helps out with running fundraisers and getting together to support this music school. It's like we all share together and build this school together. Everyone there is doing it because their hearts are in it. Deep in our hearts, we know we have come to the right place.

The Childrens Orchestra Society (COS) is a wonderful organization that truly teaches children the language of Music. It is selflessly directed by Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma and Michael Dadap along with a dedicated faculty and staff. COS provided my children with unparalleled opportunities to devlop as musicians and as people. The COS approach is multi-faceted with learning provided both in an orchestra setting and private instrumental instruction as well as musicianship classes. Both of my children were inspired to continue serious study of music in college after COS. Another important aspect of COS is camarderie both among students and among the parents and with faculty and staff. It's really like a family where many lasting friendships occur. My children were also provided with amazing opportunities of performing with top professionals at Carnegie Hall and other notable venues even in other US cities and abroad. Despite difficult economic times and a tight budger COS is always ready to help with scholarship assistance for those who could not otherwise participate. COS is a top-notch organization that should be gerously supported for the outstanding services that it so skillfully provides. My family will always cherish the relationship we've had with COS for more than a decade.

My daughter started learning to play the violin at age 2 with Yeou-cheng Ma at COS. At the beginning of time, I didn't expect she could learn the violin play. However, Yeou-cheng Ma managed my daugher to read music notes and play the violin after a month! Now she is so proud of herself with the violin and her age is 3. Dr. Ma is specially good to teach the violin and music language to very young children with big love for child.

I enjoyed working with the Children's Orchestra Society when I performed as a soloist with them at Lincoln Center. We played the Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations together. It is not an easy piece for orchestra, even professional orchestra, but the Children did a great job. They were very attentive throughout the rehearsals and were very focused. They were eager to learn and do their best. I believe that the Orchestra Society is doing a great job for these kids by giving them the gift of music. Wherever the paths will lead these kids to in life, they will take this experience with them which will help to do well. Hai-Ye Ni Principal cellist of Philadelphia Orchestra

While now I am a board member of the Children's Orchestra Society (COS), I previously was the president of the COS Parents' Association, where I was very actively involved helping COS with any of their concerts from getting food to feed the kids to fund raising to support their programs. So I am quite familar with COS. My daughter was a member for for 9 years. So as a parent, I got to know both Yeou-Cheng and Michael who run the program. COS is a wonderful music program that truly "teaches the language of music". It is a nurturing environment that provides orchestra, chamber music, musicianship. The kids learn musicianship in a small classroom setting which gives them foundation for understanding how music is put together. The chamber music groups help the kids develop and grow in their playing abilities and the orchestra gives the kids the chance to play orchestral pieces of the highest level (which challenge them and make them better players). The kids in the highest level orhestra have a chance to play at a world renowned concert halls like Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall. So they get exposure to playing at the highest level but in an environment that is supportive and caring. I would recommend kids of all levels of playing to join COS and see why I had my child in there from when she was in the youngest orchestra to when she performed in senior orchestra where they played works by the greatest composers.

In my two years plus of sending my children there I have been truly impressed with the atmosphere and staff at COS. They instill a love for music, while insisting on discipline - both personal and musical. They work with children at all levels of talent getting the best out of them. The dedication of teachers is outstanding. Children develop strong bonds during their time there, each serving as a posiive influence for the others - not only in music, but in general discipline, etc. My children will never forget the years that they spent there, and will take the experience with them wherever they go.

The Children's Orchestra Society (COS) offers its members the opportunity to learn orchestral instruments through private instruction. What makes this group different from other similar organizations is the offers children the opportunity to truly make music. Their orchestra's at all levels and chamber music perfrom with heart and soul. The children at all levels are excited and enthusiastic about communicating in the language of music. Each year they hope to progress to better group that will bring them more challenges, more performances and more experiences making music with each other. The COS was my first employer after I completed university, but long before this I was a member for 10 years. Leaving the group after years of working with Michael Dadap, Yeou Cheng Ma, their wonderful coaches, teachers and staff was definately not an easy thing. It seems that like myself many alumni return offering their services at concerts and often filling positions on staff.

The Children's Orchestra Society is a unique organization that brings children and teens of diverse backgrounds together to play classical music. It is a vibrant community of extraordinary people coming together around a shared interest. It was the first place I ever really felt a sense of belonging. The world needs more of this!

COS is an inspiring musical opportunity for young students, taking them from 4 -5 year olds in a kinder orchestra to high school students in a young symphonic ensemble that can play at Carnegie Hall or Alice Tully Hall and get rave reviews from the NY Times. The quality of the musicianship, the dedication of the teachers, staff and conductors, the interaction and socialization offered to a diverse group of children is a special experience that deserves support during these challenging times.

Our family has been involved with the Children's Orchestra Society for 12 years. My older son played violin & viola and my younger son, now currently involved, plays percussion. COS is a phenomenal organization run by Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma – Exec. Dir. & Micheal Dadap-Music Director & Conductor. The organization both encourages and challenges children to perform music at extraordinary levels. Both my children have learned and grown in their music education as a result of being a part of COS. The professional staff of music teachers is top shelf, working professionals who offer the best music education the area can offer. Their teachers’ attention to detail and personal interaction with students is outstanding. As a result, COS students consistently rank the highest and participate in All State, All County, the Long Island String Festival and numerous other music competitions. At COS, students have the opportunity to participate in orchestras, chamber groups, ensembles, master classes, recitals and also tours. COS has toured both nationally and internationally, another wonderful opportunity for students to not only grow as a musician, but bond as a member of renowned orchestra.

This is an outstanding organization run by highly talented and passionate people who serve to teach children the art of music. The children in COS (The Children's Orchestra Society) range in age from 3 to 18 years old. They attend COS to learn an instrument(s), and musicianship in a highly nurturing environment. COS fosters a love of learning. This provides the environment for the children to excel and develop their talents. Children not only grow musically, but they mature as a result of the on going manners of the leadership of the school. They are devoted to these children and set examples for them about what kind of adults they'd like to be. My daughter started with piano at age 4. She has since asked me to let her learn violin at age 6. Then, last year at age 7 she also wanted to learn viola. I am fortunate that she loves music, but it is her love for learning that has been cultivated at COS that has inspired her to want more. She has joined the orchestra and looks forward every week to playing and performing. She is sad when summer comes and orchestra is finished for the year. The organization is like our second family. I know where my child is, what she is doing, and I am there with her all the time. It is a learning place and a family place.

I am an alumni - COS '93 Children's Orchestra Society is a big, musical family; it is an organization that gives young musicians in New York City an opportunity to play music and make friends. From age 11 to 18, I happily attended rehearsals every Saturday evening, and have fond memories of our two to three hour rehearsals. Often our rehearsals would seem like a party, with classical music. To this day, I treasure my friendships with the members of the orchestra and their families. I am grateful to Michael and Yeou Cheng for nurturing us for so many years, and always providing us the best opportunities to perform and share our music. They are wonderful, generous, and always ready to help others.