Focused, determined, and well-rehearsed, these musicians master some of the most well-know classical works.

“You go there and there are people who want to play music and it's really shaped how I view music,” says Nathaniel Plass, an alto saxophone player and senior at Cadott High School.

They do this all while they're still mastering algebra and the ACTs.

“People are amazed they're only 7 through 12th graders,” says Director Peter Haberman. “The word youth just describes their age, not the ability.”

In its 30th year, the Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony offers kids a chance to expand their musical ability outside of their school programs.

“It takes a good musician to be here. There's a lot of challenge,” says Haberman. “If you're excited about that, then this is the right place for you.”

Those some of the musicians say they're not sure if they will go into music professionally, they say the youth symphony has given them a lifetime of music appreciation.

“The goal isn't to have music majors, but to have people that appreciate music,” says Haberman.

But others, like harpist Kate Van de Loo, as well as Plass, say it's sparked the passion in them to one day go pro.

“At this point, I’m planning on studying in college. I'm preparing for auditions right now, and we'll see where it goes after this,” says Van de Loo, a senior at Eau Claire Memorial High School.

“I’m either going to have a major in music education or a minor in it after college,” says Plass.

And these kids say their shared passion for the music is what will keep them making beautiful harmonies for the next generation to come.

The Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony's concert will be next Sunday, December 12, at 2 pm in Gantner hall on the UW-Eau Claire campus.

The group will be holding auditions for its spring semester in January. Visit www.cvyouthsymphony.org for more information.