PYP Ensembles
Since 1924, the Portland Youth Philharmonic has been known for a tradition of excellence in education and performance. Visit the “About” page to learn more about our 100-year-old history.
PYP supports two full symphony orchestras, a chamber orchestra, a wind ensemble, a string orchestra, and a percussion ensemble. Each group is made up of young musicians chosen by open auditions each spring and early fall. They range in age from 9 to 23, come from communities across the region, and represent over 100 different schools.
Membership demands their commitment to an intensive schedule of rehearsals and, for the Philharmonic Orchestra especially, the performance of a repertoire that closely parallels that of major professional orchestras.
All ensembles perform at the annual Concert-at-Christmas on December 26, held at the historic Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland.
Rehearsal location: Jackson Middle School (10625 SW 35th Avenue, Portland, OR 97219)
- Portland Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (PYP)
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Conducted by David HattnerMembership in the Philharmonic Orchestra is reserved for outstanding players whose technical level is highly advanced, who show strong musicality and musicianship, and who are capable of the discipline necessary to perform in one of this country’s premier youth orchestras. PYP performs four annual concerts at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, free Children’s Concerts for elementary and middle school students, and concerts throughout the community. Musicians also give private lessons to young instrumentalists as part of a nationally recognized Peer Mentor Program.
PYP has taken eight national and international concert tours - to Europe, Canada, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, to the East Coast and Carnegie Hall, and most recently, in 2014, to the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago. The orchestra will tour the East Coast again in March 2024 in celebration of its centennial season.
The average school grade of a student in PYP is 11th.
Rehearsal Schedule (September-May):
- Mondays:
4:45 PM-6:10 PM - Wind, Brass, Percussion Sectionals
6:30 PM-9:00 PM - Full Orchestra Rehearsal - Saturdays: 3:30 PM-6:00 PM - String Sectionals
- Mondays:
- Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra (PYCO)
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Conducted by Lawrence JohnsonOur Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra (PYCO) performs unabridged masterpieces by great composers at a highly proficient level; therefore, applicants should be well advanced in their own instrumental performance. Weekly rehearsals include a rigorous course in music theory and literacy led by a professional staff of music educators. PYCO has frequently performed at Skyview High School (Vancouver, WA) and George Fox University’s Bauman Auditorium (Newberg, OR), offering concerts three times each season as well as Children’s Concerts for elementary and middle school students at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
The average school grade of a student in PYCO is 9th.
Rehearsal Schedule (September-May): Tuesdays from 5:30 PM-9:00 PM
- Portland Youth Wind Ensemble (PYWE)
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Conducted by Giancarlo Castro D’AddonaThe Portland Youth Wind Ensemble (PYWE) is a mixed-level wind ensemble geared toward students who have had a great deal of performing opportunities as well as intermediate musicians with moderate performance experience. This ensemble provides more playing time for winds, brass, and percussion players and is open to young musicians as well as all members of PYP. Weekly rehearsals and music theory classes stress performance; building solid, fundamental rhythmic and wind ensemble skills; and improving sight-reading abilities. PYWE has frequently performed at Skyview High School (Vancouver, WA) and Bauman Auditorium at George Fox University (Newberg, OR), giving three concert each season as well as perform concerts in regional elementary and middle schools.
The average school grade of a student in PYWE is 8th.
Rehearsal Schedule (September-May): Wednesdays from 5:30 PM-9:00 PM
- Portland Youth String Ensemble (PYSE)
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Conducted by Inés Voglar BelgiqueFormerly known as the Young String Ensemble (YSE), the Portland Youth String Ensemble (PYSE) is an intermediate-level string ensemble geared toward students who have not had a great deal of experience performing in an ensemble setting. Weekly rehearsals and music theory classes stress performance; building solid, fundamental rhythmic and orchestral skills; and improving sight-reading abilities. PYSE performs on the main stage with other large ensembles, abbreviated concerts designed for children ages 3-8, and a concert in the lobby of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall prior to a Philharmonic Orchestra performance.
The average school grade of a student in PYSE is 6th.
Rehearsal Schedule (September-May): Wednesdays from 5:30 PM-8:00 PM
- Portland Youth Percussion Ensemble (PYPE)
Coached by Gordon Rencher
The Portland Youth Percussion Ensemble (PYPE) provides aspiring young percussionists with instruction from expert local professionals as well as performance opportunities as an ensemble and with PYWE. The ensemble was made possible by an endowment from the estate of the late beloved Portland teacher and percussionist Leo Lester Browne (1922–2017).
Rehearsal Schedule (September-May): Wednesdays from 5:30 PM-9:00 PM
- Camerata PYP
Conducted by David Hattner
Camerata PYP performs in more intimate settings around the region and features an engaging mixture of traditional and modern programming, including commissions of new music and collaborations with other professional music organizations. Participation in Camerata PYP is above and beyond the rehearsals and performances required of musicians by their respective large ensembles. Camerata PYP musicians are therefore not only outstanding players, whose technical level is highly advanced and who show strong musicality and musicianship, but also are individuals who demonstrate the discipline necessary to learn, explore, and perform challenging repertoire in addition to their existing commitments.
Rehearsal Schedule (September-May): Saturdays from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM