PYP Ensembles
PYP offers a family of ensembles designed to meet students where they are and help them grow into the musicians they are capable of becoming.
From first orchestral experiences to advanced pre-professional performance, each ensemble provides challenge, inspiration, and community.
Students join at the level that fits them best, and many grow through multiple ensembles during their time at PYP.
Our core ensembles include:
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Portland Youth String Ensemble
A first full orchestral experience for developing string players. -
Portland Youth Wind Ensemble
For advancing woodwind, brass, and percussion students ready for greater musical challenge. -
Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra
A full symphonic experience for high school musicians preparing for advanced performance. -
Portland Youth Philharmonic
Our flagship orchestra, performing major repertoire at the highest level.
Each ensemble builds toward the next, offering increasing levels of challenge, opportunity, and artistic growth.
Portland Youth String Ensemble (PYSE)
Where young string players build their first orchestral foundation.
Conducted by Inés Voglar Belgique
The Portland Youth String Ensemble is designed for developing string players ready for their first full orchestra experience. Students build strong fundamentals, improve sight reading, and gain confidence performing with others.
PYSE musicians perform on major stages, including appearances alongside PYP’s advanced ensembles at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Typical student: Around 6th grade
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 5:30–8:00 PM (September–May)
Portland Youth Wind Ensemble (PYWE)
Where wind, brass, and percussion students grow into confident ensemble musicians.
Conducted by Giancarlo Castro D’Addona
The Portland Youth Wind Ensemble is designed for intermediate wind, brass, and percussion students ready for greater musical challenge and performance opportunities. Students strengthen ensemble skills, improve sight reading, and build confidence performing in a full wind ensemble.
PYWE musicians perform multiple concerts each season, including appearances at major regional venues and outreach performances in local schools.
Typical student: Around 8th grade
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 5:30–9:00 PM (September–May)
Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra (PYCO)
Where advanced high school musicians perform major symphonic repertoire.
Conducted by Ken Selden
The Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra is a full symphonic ensemble for students ready to take the next step in their musical growth. Musicians refine ensemble precision, deepen their musical understanding, and build the confidence required for advanced performance.
PYCO performs multiple concerts each season, including appearances at major regional venues and Children’s Concerts at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Typical student: Around 9th grade
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 5:30–9:00 PM (September–May)
Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP)
Our flagship orchestra, where exceptional young musicians perform at the highest level.
Conducted by David Hattner
Portland Youth Philharmonic is the premier ensemble for advanced high school musicians ready to perform major orchestral repertoire. Students refine their artistry, develop professional-level ensemble skills, and perform in one of the nation’s most respected youth orchestras.
PYP presents four annual concerts at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Children’s Concerts for young audiences, and performances throughout the community. Musicians also serve as mentors to younger students through PYP’s nationally recognized Peer Mentor Program.
The orchestra has toured extensively, including performances at Carnegie Hall and international tours across Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Typical student: Around 11th grade
Rehearsals (September–May):
Mondays
4:45–6:10 PM – Wind, Brass, and Percussion sectionals
6:30–9:00 PM – Full orchestra rehearsal
Saturdays
3:30–6:00 PM – String sectionals
Now that you’ve explored our ensembles, discover where your musical journey can begin.
- 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 Ken SeldenOur 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