Being just twenty years old, the Joven Orquesta de Gran Canaria (Youth Orchestra of Gran Canaria) is one of the pioneers of youth orchestras in Spain; its origin, in the frame of the Fundación Canaria Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria, dates back to 1989, when the Academy of the Fundación Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria was created. At first, Francisco Guerrero, performer and well-known pedagogue, arranger and orchestrator and instructor for musical ensembles, was the responsible for the youth orchestra. During the first years, a number of concerts were offered, travelling to other islands in the Canary archipelago, participating in TV programmes and even playing for the zarzuela Bohemios. 

Between 1994 and 1995, the JOGC was conducted by violinist Juan Sanabras. From 1998 and until now, Zdzislaw Tytlak is their principal conductor. Over last years, he has carried symphonic music almost everywhere in Gran Canaria, participating in the cycle “Gran Canaria en concierto” of the Foundation OFGC. In June 2008, the Joven Orquesta de Gran Canaria performed as part of the commemoratives events for the European Music Day in the Auditorio Nacional of Madrid. In February 2010, the JOGC and the Choirs of the OFGC offered a benefit concert for Haiti.

The Joven Orquesta de Gran Canaria is founder member of the Spanish Association of Youth Orchestras (AEJO) and, as the rest of the young orchestras of this association, it plays an important role in pre-professional instruction. Dozens of young musicians who have played in this orchestra are now professionals (as members of the Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria or other orchestras in Spain or abroad) teachers in Conservatories and Music Schools, conductor of music bands, etc.