The new program, expected to begin in 2021 post COVID-19 restrictions, will see public school students receive free violins and free violin tuition in a bid to boost music education in the community and spark interest in orchestral instruments and participation in group music making.

SYO Manager Ryley Gillen said the more individuals and businesses in the community that get behind this initiative will mean the more schools the SYO can engage.

"Music education is such an important tool for children. From being the most complex cognitive activity the brain can undertake music education helps children to learn how to read earlier and develop comprehension skills earlier and enhance their social skills when learning in a group of peers." Ryley said.

"More importantly than all of this is that it allows children an avenue for expressing themselves as individuals.

"Post the 2019-2020 bushfires and coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic this kind of individual healing and recovery will be vital for the community.

"At SYO we firmly believe music has an important role in healing and bringing the community together."

Already the SYO has two schools signed up for the program with a hundred students enlisted and have engaged two highly qualified violinists to come to the region to teach.

Their program launched on Facebook and via their newsletter earlier in June 9 and has already seen individual monetary donations as well as receiving ten violins which will go to students.

The SYO is seeking funds for the cost of increasing their storeroom of instruments and resources like music and text books as well as offsetting the financial hardships the organisation faces after having to cancel their annual music camp for the first time in 20 years and not being able to hold any public concerts to raise funds.

Go to www.shoalhavenyouthorchestra.com.au/sponsors to make tax deductible donations.

Ryley can be contacted on manager@shoalhavenyouthorchestra.com.au for more information.