ALUMNI UPDATE: GEORGE REINMILLER

Posted on October 20, 2020

SINGING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC By George Reinmiller (PJS 1952-1959)

I am doing well, especially under the circumstances with this darn virus and the smoke we have experienced recently from wildfires. Now that the air has cleared, however, I can’t complain. My little office building is in the heart of downtown Portland, and I own a condominium kitty corner across the street. As a... Read More ›

ALUMNI UPDATE: KATE DAVIS

Posted on October 20, 2020

FULL CIRCLE by Kate Davis (PYCO 2003-2005, PYP 2005-2009)

I’m a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist currently based in Brooklyn, NY. I grew up in Oregon and spent my formative years playing violin and bass in PYCO and PYP. It was an experience that deeply impacted my relationship with music, community, and my aesthetics— having been exposed to so many incredible orchestral works during such an... Read More ›

THE PORTLAND JUNIOR SYMPHONY EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE

Posted on October 20, 2020

By Vlasta Becvar Barber (PJS 1939-1943)

Why is part of my estate earmarked for the PYP? To paraphrase an English poet: “Let me count the ways” and add a little bit of personal history.

Once upon a time long ago, but not very far away, a baby was born in a village in Oregon. Her parents were Czech immigrants who had come to... Read More ›

CAN YOU HELP IDENTIFY THIS PHOTO?

Posted on October 20, 2020

This photo of the Portland Junior Symphony in the 1940s hangs in the PYP office.

Do you know what year it was taken? Can you identify anyone in the picture? Please share any memories this photo sparks for you in the comments below of by contacting our Alumni Relations Manager Kristan Knapp: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 503.223.5939.

Click “Read more” to see a larger... Read More ›

MUSIC IS A FAMILY AFFAIR!

Posted on October 19, 2020

Pictured above is the Givens family.

By Lori Givens (Prep 1987-1988, PYP 1988-1993) and Nathan Givens (PYP 1997-1998)

We’re the Givens family! We are both violists. Lori graduated from Indiana School of Music in Music Performance, and Nathan graduated from Portland State University in Music Performance. We own a music school, Concert School of Music, and a violin shop, Quartet Violin Shop. The... Read More ›

PYP WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER MICHAEL LEE

Posted on October 19, 2020

Michael Lee joined the PYP Board of Directors as the third alumni representative and the youngest current member, in September 2020. Other alumni on the Board include Gesell Brook (PYP 1965) and Larry Baldridge (PYP 1967).

LESSONS LEARNED by Michael J. Lee (PYCO 2003-2004, PYP 2004-2007)

I believe I represent the majority of PYP alumni in that I did not go on to... Read More ›