CYS had its beginnings in 1955 when Greenville music-lover Miss Rita May Baker founded what she called, “The Little Symphony.” The start of group of young musicians supported by the Crescent Music Club and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. The group expanded each year both in numbers and performances. In 1976 the Crescent Youth symphony became Carolina Youth Symphony, an independent, non-profit regional youth orchestra

The staff currently consists of four conductors: Professor Simón Gollo, Music Director and Conductor of the CYS Symphony Orchestra (the “SO”), James Kilgus, Conductor of the CYS Concert Orchestra (the “CO”), Ginger Greer, Conductor of the CYS Repertory Orchestra (the “RO”), and Ashley Rhoden, conductor of the Preparatory String Orchestra (the "PSO"). The conductors are supported and led by administrative staff Lee Elmore, Executive Director, and Bev Bresette, Assistant Director. Additionally, there are interns, support staff, sectional coaches, approximately 200-225 member musicians, a supportive Board of Directors along with active parental support.

CYS returned to Carnegie Hall for an 8th performance in 2023. For more than 20 seasons the CYS has opened the season with a weekend at summer camp. The weekend at camp has become vital part of the CYS experience, offering the students a chance to become acquainted and develop friendships, since CYS musicians come from over 70 schools, 35 cities and 2 states.