In 2001, the Youth Enrichment Program was initiated.  It was comprised of two special free daytime concerts designed for students from Elementary through High School in the Norwalk-La Mirada School District.  Besides bringing orchestral music to the youth of the area, it provided an outstanding opportunity for young musicians from the District’s Honor Bands to perform compositions with the La Mirada Symphony Orchestra on stage for the events. Audience participation has since been extended as well to private and home schools.

Added in 2002 was the Blanche Nissim Memorial Fund Competition to select especially talented young musicians to perform solo at the youth concerts. Each Season the competition winners are awarded U.S. Savings Bonds and certificates of accomplishment as encouragement to continue to develop their exceptional talents. 

The Instrument Ensemble Visits to Schools Program was added in a concentrated effort to help enhance the music curriculum in the public and private schools in the area.  Orchestra musicians visit classrooms upon request to introduce various instruments and music forms to inspire the young audiences with the joys of music in their lives.

Aristotle said, “Music has the power of producing a certain effect on the moral character of the soul, and if it has the power to do this, it is clear that the young must be directed to music and must be educated in it.”