A significant part of the SSO's mission involves offering a high quality youth orchestra and chamber music program to foster the love of the art-form of classical music in our young people.

These programs are operated under the direction of Bonnie Murray, an accomplished violin instructor.

To encourage the broadest participation possible, the SSO Youth Program offers both a youth orchestra and chamber ensembles. The Youth Orchestra gives emerging string students (Suzuki Book 2-4) an ensemble experience with a variety of musical styles including standard string orchestra repertoire. This year the orchestra will spend approximately half of each rehearsal split into two groups, as determined by ability and experience, to maximize the rehearsal and performance experience of all participants.

The Chamber Ensemble Program organizes students into small groups, based on their ability level, age, and schedules. The Youth Program is a collaboration between the Steamboat Springs School District and the Steamboat Springs Orchestra, and is funded in part by a grant from the Steamboat Springs Education Fund.