James A. Veith, a middle school string instrument teacher in the Middletown School system, founded the Middletown Youth Symphony (MYS) in 1970.  The program was designed to complement and supplement the instructional area of the school music program.  The orchestra provided an opportunity to master skills necessary for full orchestral experience.

Middletown Youth Symphony has experienced regional growth with talented young musicians from five counties comprising the full orchestra and chamber ensembles.

Lucy Firlie Ginther, A Faculty Associate at Wright State University, Ms. Ginther appears frequently as a clinician for orchestra festivals and string workshops in the tri-state area. She is also active as a violist, performing with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, as well as the ProMusica and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestras. Lucy enjoys collaboration with colleagues in chamber music settings such as the Jefferson Academy Chamber Music Series and the Grand Piano Chamber Music Series in Columbus and the College-Conservatory Faculty Artists Series in Cincinnati. She has been invited to perform solo recitals in such venues as the Xavier University Faculty Artists Series and the Miami University Guest Artist Recital Series. Previously, Ms. Ginther has held principal viola positions with the Ohio Chamber Orchestra, the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, the Oklahoma Symphony and the Orchestra de Mineria of Mexico City. Her teachers include Robert Vernon (principal violist, Cleveland Orchestra), Jeffrey K. Irvine (Cleveland Institute of Music) and Masao Kawasaki (Julliard and College-Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati).

Deborah Dornon is not a stranger to the Middletown Youth Symphony, having performed in the group as a student, and having several of her children play in the group as well. Deborah was the assistant director of the Centerville Youth Orchestra for 5 years and has served as Music Director of the Summer Youth Theatre for the past 3 years. She performs in the Summer Winds Woodwind Quintet, and the Southwest Ohio Symphonic Band. In addition to being member of the adult choir and handbell choir at First United Methodist Church, Deborah is director of the youth choir. She teaches private lessons on clarinet and enjoys playing sax in the Methodist church praise band when she can. Deborah earned a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Baldwin Wallace College. For twelve years, she served with her husband, Les, and her family in Nepal as medical missionaries. She and Les have 3 children and live in Middletown.