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 final concert experience, and saying “good-bye, good luck” to their friends in person, but they also have no idea what the fall will bring for their hopes of starting college. In this time of instability we can offer one definite assurance—every graduate is now, and will be forever, part of the PJS/PYP alumni family.

Although a few are still undecided, this year’s graduates plan to attend the following institutions of higher learning: Portland Community College, Portland State University, Berklee College of Music, University of Oregon, Central Washington University, University of Washington, Columbia University, Western Washington University, Stanford University, University of Arizona, Case Western Reserve University, University of Rochester, Eastman School of Music, Whitworth University, and Harvard University.

We welcome the Class of 2020 to their new role as alumni, and knowing what they have already achieved, we are confident that music will remain an important part of their lives, whether it is the foundation of their career path or is a treasured avocation.

On May 21st, PYP’s Orchestra Manager and Assistant personally delivered certificates signed by their conductors to every graduating senior, along with a red carnation and a special Friends of PYP sugar cookie.

To all of this season’s graduates we say, “Congratulations and please come back to play with us whenever you can.”

Congrats to 18-year-old PYP flutist Aaron!

He joined our organization in 2015 and also played in our Wind Ensemble and Conservatory Orchestra

Congrats to 18-year-old PYP clarinetist Gerald!

He joined our organization in 2014 and also played in our Wind Ensemble and Conservatory Orchestra.

Congrats to 18-year-old PYWE saxophone player Will!

He’s played in our Wind Ensemble since 2015.

Congrats to 18-year-old PYP and PYWE horn player Claire!

She joined our organization in 2016 and has played in our Wind Ensemble and Conservatory Orchestra.

Congrats to 17-year-old PYCO tuba player Danny!

He joined our Conservatory Orchestra in 2019.

Congrats to 18-year-old PYWE clarinetist Gabriel!

He joined our Wind Ensemble in 2019.

Congrats to 17-year-old PYP oboist Haley!

She joined our organization in 2015 and also played in our Wind Ensemble and Conservatory Orchestra.

Congrats to 17-year-old PYP clarinetist Robert!

He joined our organization in 2018 and also played in our Conservatory Orchestra.

Congrats to 18-year-old PYP violinist Max!

He joined our organization in 2011 as part of our Young String Ensemble, and played in our Conservatory Orchestra. He has also played horn in PYP.

Subsequently we received this comment from Terry Baber, pictured below with his daughter Paige, PYP’s Assistant Principal Trombone this past season:

“Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP) is a class act. Kevin and Amanda drove to all the seniors’ houses today all over the region to give them graduation certificates and a carnation. This meant a lot to Paige;…we, myself included, will miss the group a lot. Thanks so much for all the inspiration you have given our daughter these past 4 years. David, Larry, Kevin, Amanda and the rest of you are awesome.”