The lobby of CTCA (City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta) in Georgia was recently filled with the sound of youth musicians. As patients and caregivers waited for treatment and medical staff moved through their busy routines, the atmosphere in the hospital quietly but noticeably changed. The performers were members of the youth orchestra Giving Tree Youth Chamber Orchestra (GYCO).
GYCO began in 2022 as a volunteer music service project and was officially established in 2023 as a nonprofit organization, Greater Youth Collaborative Opus. The youth-led community orchestra is built on the core values of “learning and giving.” Rather than stopping at musical training, students are encouraged to share their talents with the community and grow through service.
To date, 52 students have participated in GYCO’s volunteer program, performing more than 60 outreach concerts since 2023 at hospitals, senior centers, homeless shelters, and disability support facilities across Georgia. Instead of performing only in concert halls, GYCO brings live music directly to communities where access to the arts is limited. The students rehearse three times a month and perform at least once monthly, and they plan to continue expanding their outreach programs throughout hospitals and local communities.
Each performance is carefully prepared for its audience. Programs for patients, families, and hospital staff focus on music that conveys hope and comfort, while senior center performances are based on song requests from residents themselves. With guidance from parent volunteer music advisors, the repertoire is arranged to suit each venue. Through this process, students transform their musical training into a meaningful gift for others.
GYCO is fully student-led. The organization’s student president, Jooeon Kim (12th grade), has served as student leader for three years, overseeing concert scheduling, program planning, and communication with hospitals and community organizations. He plays a central role in coordinating every stage of performance preparation.
Following a recent performance at CTCA, GYCO conducted an interview with Suzanne Barrett, a member of the hospital’s media team. The interview, led by student president Jooeon Kim, highlighted the impact of GYCO’s hospital performances and their significance for patients and staff.
Hospital representatives praised GYCO’s regular visits, stating, “The youth orchestra brings a powerful warmth into the hospital environment. For patients and families going through difficult times, the music offers a moment of comfort and hope. For our staff, it is a meaningful reminder of why community-centered care matters.”
They added that GYCO’s performances transform the hospital lobby from a simple passageway into a space where people pause, connect, and experience reflection and healing.
Hospital officials also noted that GYCO’s concerts carry a special depth compared to traditional hospital music events. Because the young musicians perform purely for the purpose of giving, their sincerity and energy resonate strongly, encouraging patients and visitors to stop, listen, and even engage in conversation.
In addition to the students, many parent volunteers actively support GYCO’s mission. Parents contribute their professional skills, assist with logistics and operations, and participate in every stage of concert preparation. By practicing the values of “learning and giving” alongside their children, they model a spirit of service that helps nurture compassionate future leaders.
“Working with GYCO shows how hospitals can truly connect with their communities,” a hospital representative said. “Healing is not only the work of medical professionals—it is something that the entire community helps create together.”
Through music, learning, and service, GYCO continues to bring warmth and inspiration to hospitals and communities across Georgia. Their “Bringing Music to the Community” program is creating moments of healing—one performance at a time.
