1965
Ralph Matesky, music director of the Stockton Symphony and Doris Byron, assistant Concertmistress of the Stockton Symphony and string teacher at Edison High School, form an orchestra string ensemble for talented, school-age musicians.
1966
The orchestra adds on winds and percussion. Through the vision of Arthur J. Holton, Sr., Chairman of the division of Arts and Letters at San Joaquin Delta College, it becomes a community service activity of the College, in cooperation with the Stockton Symphony Association, Stockton Unified School District and San Joaquin County Office of Education.
1976
Kyung-Soo Won, music director and conductor of the Stockton Symphony and faculty at San Joaquin Delta College, takes the helm of the orchestra under its new name - Stockton Symphony Youth Orchestra.
1978
The orchestra is reorganized and named the Central Valley Youth Orchestra (CVYS). Parents and interested community members accept jurisdiction in cooperation with the Stockton Symphony Association. Ron Caviani, associate professor in composition, theory and orchestration at University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music, is selected as the conductor.
1992
Michael Allard, associate professor of Applied Music at University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music, becomes the orchestra's conductor.
1995
The orchestra performs at Carnegie Hall, NYC.
1997
CVYS becomes an independent, non-profit organization. During their nine-concert tour through Australia and New Zealand, the orchestra wins the gold medal at the International Music Festival in the Sydney Opera House.
2000
Thomas Derthick assumes the baton. Mr. Derthick has been a lecturer in bass at University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music since 1988. He is also principal bassist of the Cabrillo Music Festival and Sacramento Philharmonic. The orchestra performs to standing ovations at Carnegie Hall, NYC.
2003
CVYS returnes to Carnegie Hall and receives a five-minute standing ovation.
2018
University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music assumes full leadership of the orchestra.
2019
The orchestra is re-named the Pacific Youth Orchestra.
2021
Shane Kalbach, long-time music educator in Lincoln Unified School District, assumes the baton of the Pacific Youth Symphony.