The nationally acclaimed Philadelphia Youth Orchestra organization is holding auditions for the 2016-2017 concert season that will recruit student musicians for five of its program ensembles. They will be held on various dates between May 28 and June 11, 2016. (See schedule below.) There are opportunities for young musicians beginning at age six and going up to age 21. The ensembles are the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO), which ranges in age from 14 to 21 year olds, Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra (PYAO) ages 12 to 18 and the newly formed Philadelphia Young Musicians Orchestra (PYMO) for students who are 10 to 17. In addition, there is Bravo Brass for students aged 12 to 21 and two age groups for Philadelphia Region Youth String Music (PRYSM) that range from age six to 14. Auditions are open to string, wind, brass, percussion and harp students.
There is great potential for PYO student musicians, many of whom have been selected for national youth orchestra experiences and scholarship opportunities. Alumni of PYO have gone on to great successes in the field of music and in other industries. As one example, there are 12 alumni who are members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. A student in PYO is fortunate to study under the direction of the finest conductors in the region, to rehearse and perform with peers who are serious students of classical music and to perform in the most prestigious concert halls in the Philadelphia area including Verizon Hall and Perelman Theater in the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The inclusion of PYO on a student’s resume is another great advantage as college recruiters are always impressed by the type of discipline necessary for serious music students.
Louis Scaglione, President and Music Director of Philadelphia Youth Orchestra organization, is very proud of the students associated with his music organization. He said, “It is clear that students who are selected for our ensemble programs are motivated individuals who understand the importance of the disciplines of hard work, commitment and pursuit of excellence in all that they do. This is vital and important preparation for their future, whether it’s for their current academic studies or their future careers.”
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The 2016-2017 PYO May and June audition schedule and locations are as follows:
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) – ages 14-21
Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra (PYAO) – ages 12-18
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Philadelphia Young Musicians Orchestra (PYMO) – ages 10-17
Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Keyboard
Saturday, May 28, June 4 and June 11, 2016 – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 12, 2016 – 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Saint Patrick Hall, Twentieth & Locust Streets - Philadelphia, PA 19103
Contact: Colleen Hood, General Manager
Phone: 215 545 0502
Email: info@pyos.org
Bravo Bass – ages 12 – 21
Brass and Percussion
Monday, June 6, 2016 – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Saint Patrick Hall, Twentieth & Locust Streets - Philadelphia, PA 19103
Contact: Colleen Hood, General Manager
Phone: 215 545 0502
Email: info@pyos.org
PRYSM & PRYSM Young Artists – ages 6 – 14
Friday, June 10, 2016 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Bryn Mawr College, 101 North Merion Avenue - Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Contact: Colleen Hood, General Manager
Phone: 215 545 0502
Email: info@pyos.org
Since 1939, more than 4,000 music students have participated in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra organization prior to attending the country’s leading colleges, universities, and conservatories. PYO students can also be found performing in many honors orchestras, such as the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America and the All-Eastern Honors Orchestra. Alumni go on to perform with professional orchestras, such as The Philadelphia Orchestra and many others on both national and international levels. Additionally, they are leaders in the fields of business, technology, medicine, law, and more.
Auditions will be adjudicated by esteemed PYO faculty members. For more information about the audition process and requirements, visit pyos.org/audition or call 215.545.0502. Advanced registration is required.
About The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Organization
Now in its 76th year, the renowned Philadelphia Youth Orchestra organization, led by President and Music Director, Maestro Louis Scaglione, is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected community music education and youth orchestra performance programs, providing talented young musicians from across the tri-state area with exceptional musical training. Students go on to excel in many diverse fields, and it is with pride that Philadelphia Youth Orchestra notes that many members of the prestigious Philadelphia Orchestra are alumni. The organization is comprised of five independent program ensembles designed to meet specific needs and experience levels of students selected through a competitive audition process. The anchor group is the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO), conducted by President and Music Director Louis Scaglione, featuring 125 gifted instrumentalists who range in age from 14-21. Young musicians 12-18 years old are featured in PYO’s companion ensemble, the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra, which is led by Director and Conductor Maestra Rosalind Erwin, who is Music Director and Conductor of Drexel University Orchestra. Bravo Brass, directed by Curtis Institute Dean of Faculty and Students, Paul Bryan, is an all brass ensemble for promising middle and high-school instrumentalists. PRYSM (Philadelphia Region Youth String Music) and PRYSM Young Artists ensembles provide string large ensemble and sectional master class instruction for beginning and intermediate musicians ages 6-14. The director and conductor of PRYSM is Gloria DePasquale, cellist with The Philadelphia Orchestra, and conductor of PRSYM Young Artists is Jessica Villante. Tune Up Philly (TUP) is PYO’s engagement program, directed by Paul Smith, that focuses on the creating and inspiring true community by providing children in underserved communities with invaluable opportunities to learn and perform a differentiated orchestral music curriculum. www.pyos.org.
About Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO)
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, one of the most well-recognized youth orchestras in the nation, provides the region's most advanced instrumental music students with unparalleled training and performance opportunities under the direction of Maestro Louis Scaglione, one of the leading youth orchestra conductors in the country. In addition to the opportunity to showcase their talents through high-profile radio broadcasts and live performances, members learn character-building life skills and supplement their collegiate and conservatory applications, making them strong candidates for acceptance into the most prestigious universities and conservatories around the world. Philadelphia Youth Orchestra trains tomorrow’s leaders.
About Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra (PYAO)
Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra prepares students through a sophisticated repertoire and rigorous intellectual and musical discipline. PYAO further provides the opportunity to work with highly regarded Conductor Rosalind Erwin, who is also Music Director and Conductor of the Drexel University Orchestra, as well as other experienced professional musicians and teachers; to rehearse a standard orchestral repertoire at a professional level; and to perform in high-profile professional venues throughout the greater Philadelphia region.
About Philadelphia Young Musicians Orchestra (PYMO)
Philadelphia Young Musicians Orchestra (PYMO), a new and expanded educational offering of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) organization, is a beginning- to intermediate-level full symphonic orchestra that provides most students with their first introduction to large orchestral playing directed and conducted by Kenny Bean. While its players matriculate from PRYSM, Tune Up Philly, or other string orchestra programs after several years of string ensemble experience, PYMO is often the first full orchestral playing experience for many wind, brass, and percussion students. Through a challenging repertoire including both arrangements and original masterworks, students are challenged to hone their talents for listening, blending, balancing, and making music within the full orchestral context. Principal players are also encouraged to develop leadership skills, and less-experienced players learn from their peers and PYO's acclaimed professional faculty. PYMO prepares its members for participation in Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra — and, eventually, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra.
About BRAVO BRASS
Bravo Brass, founded in 1997 and having joined PYO organization in 2003, is the brass ensemble program of Philadelphia Youth Orchestra led by Director and Conductor Paul Bryan, who is also Dean of Students and Faculty at The Curtis Institute of Music. The only year-round brass ensemble in the Philadelphia area and one of only three in the country, Bravo Brass offers the highest level of individual and ensemble training and performance opportunities for the most accomplished young brass musicians in the area.
About PRYSM
Philadelphia Region Youth String Music offers unparalleled, personalized instruction, mentorship, and educational support for the region's beginning to intermediate string students, under the direction of the highly respected Philadelphia Orchestra cellist Gloria dePasquale, with performance opportunities alongside faculty and in ensemble concerts with musicians from The Philadelphia Orchestra.
