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 ›

SEASON 96 SENIORS SPOTLIGHT

Posted on June 26, 2020

Congratulations to our 2020 graduating class! We’d like to spotlight some of our seniors who shared their plans for next year with us.

Claire Nelson, Horn

18-year-old Mountain View High School senior Claire joined our organization in 2016, and has played horn in PYP, our Wind Ensemble, and our Woodwind Quintet.

What are your plans for next year? Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, majoring in... Read More ›

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 ›