Welcome to our New Alumni, Class of 2020

Posted on May 29, 2020

The end of a season is always both exciting and sad. After working hard all year, musicians bid farewell to their friends and head off to Interlochen, Tanglewood, or other summer adventures. This year is particularly bittersweet because the pandemic has interrupted everyone’s plans. This is especially true for our 28 graduating seniors. Not only did they miss out on their... Read More ›

VOICES FROM PYP’S PAST

Posted on May 29, 2020

This review from the Portland Junior Symphony’s second season, was written by Aaron Avshalomov, father of Mr. A (Musical Director 1954-1994). It is the earliest example of a reviewer comparing a performance by PJS musicians to professional orchestras…a tradition of excellence that continues to this day. Daniel Avshalomov, Mr. A’s younger son, who is now violist with the celebrated American String... Read More ›

REMEMBERING MARIE DIETZ IMEL WILTSHIRE

Posted on May 29, 2020

Marie Dietz was the eldest of five daughters of Klara and Charles E. Dietz, Oregon Symphony French horn player, PJS coach and college professor. Marie followed in her father’s footsteps to become a dedicated French horn player. She attended Ockley Green School and Jefferson High School before entering University of Portland, and ultimately completing her undergraduate degree in music at Marylhurst... Read More ›

REMEMBERING DORIS ANN LODER

Posted on May 29, 2020

DORIS ANN LODER (nee McCain) Passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at the age of 89.

Doris was an accomplished violinist and violist. She began playing violin with the Portland Junior Symphony and the Oregon City High School Orchestra in 1942. She won a full music scholarship to Willamette University where she played First Chair and was regularly invited to... Read More ›

REMEMBERING MARY CHARLOTTE BROWN BRAWLEY

Posted on May 29, 2020

(PJS 1956 - 1962)

PYP has received word that alumna Mary Charlotte Brown Brawley passed away on January 17, 2020, from complications related to dementia. Mary Charlotte was a violist, but she loved to tell the tale of how she volunteered to learn a mandolin part for Mr. A’s composition Phases of the Great Land (Nov 22, 1958). She was an avid... Read More ›

A LIFETIME OF PRICELESS INSPIRATION

Posted on May 29, 2020

By Dr. William Spady (PJS 1953-1957)

In February this year, I celebrated my 80th birthday. It was also the 66th anniversary of being in the Portland Junior Symphony when Mr. A. conducted his ‘audition’ concert. As you all know, he won the job! That concert was also a real landmark event because Robert Mann, a famous PJS alum, returned to Portland to... Read More ›