CELEBRATE MEI-ANN CHEN!

Posted on April 11, 2018

6.23.2004 - PYP and then Music Director Mei-Ann Chen performing Tchaikovsky’s Sérénade Mélancolique, with guest soloist Portland Junior Symphony alumna Marylou Speaker Churchill in New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall.

Marylou played in PJS from 1956-64 and was Concertmaster from 61-64. She served as Principal Second violin of the Boston Symphony for 23 years, and was a member of that orchestra for 30 years.... Read More ›

Remembering Ernestine Oringdulph

Posted on October 13, 2017

1979 - PYP and then Musical Director Jacob Avshalomov visiting the Great Buddha in Kamakura while on tour in Japan

Portland Youth Philharmonic would not be here today without the dedicated individuals who helped build it and support it over the decades. Ernestine Oringdulph was one of those people. She was a tireless board member and dedicated parent of musicians in... Read More ›

PYP Spotlight: Phoebus

Posted on August 3, 2017

Recent PYP alumni Phoebus Tsai participated in the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra‘s summer youth orchestra camp, under the leadership of former PYP Musical Director Mei-Ann Chen. Phoebus and NTSO performed in Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Taipei.

The National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1945 and is the oldest symphony orchestra in Taiwan. The orchestra focuses on “exquisite,” “popular,” “classical,” and “creative” performances, promoting music to the general public to achieve a... Read More ›

Season 93 Graduating Seniors

Posted on June 22, 2017

PYP is proud of all of our more than three dozen graduating seniors. Thanks to those who shared their plans for next year with us.

Grant Thomas, PYP cello

Grant will be attending Westmont College to study cellular and molecular biology.

Grant has achieved 3rd place as a senior in district cross country race, 2nd place in fiction... Read More ›

Season 93 Winter Concert Soloist Roger Kaza

Posted on February 21, 2017

PJS alumnus (1968-74) Roger Kaza returns to Portland to perform a piece by Peter Schickele with PYP at the Winter Concert on Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Roger Kaza is principal horn of the Saint Louis Symphony and teaches at the Chautauqua... Read More ›

Celebrating PYP in the Community: School Music Educators

Posted on December 8, 2016

Huw and a few PYP musicians accept a haka challenge, a tradition from the Māori people of New Zealand, while on tour in 2000.  From left to right: Ryan Capps; Phil Scamahorn; Huw Edwards; Logan Coale; Ashley Alexander; Alvin Schultz.

We are proud of all our alums, and on the occasion of school winter concert time around the region, want to... Read More ›