Efraín Amaya: Carousel for Cello Octet (World Premiere)

Posted on January 11, 2021

11.14.2020 - The world premiere of Efraín Amaya‘s Carousel, performed by the cellos of the Portland Youth Philharmonic and PYP’s Conservatory Orchestra.

This piece was commissioned by PYP as part of the Youth Orchestra Commissioning Initiative (YOCI). The initiative is a community built to connect youth orchestras and composers from across the country in order to create and share new music. Get to know... Read More ›

PYPFEST COMPOSER: EFRAÍN AMAYA

Posted on October 27, 2020

American conductor and composer Efraín Amaya was born in Venezuela, where he began his musical training. Continuing his studies in the United States, he earned two Bachelors of music degrees in composition and piano from Indiana University, and a Master’s degree in orchestral conducting from Rice University.

PYPFEST COMPOSER: POLINA NAZAYKINSKAYA

Posted on October 26, 2020

Born in Togliatti, Russia, Polina Nazaykinskaya has been studying music since the age of four, and composed her first large-scale work at 14. She went on to create music for both chamber and full orchestras, as well as art songs, film music, musical theater works, an opera, and, recently, her first symphony, April Song. In June 2018, The RIOULT Dance... Read More ›

PYPFEST COMPOSER: KEYLA OROZCO

Posted on October 26, 2020

Cuban born composer Keyla Orozco is as well a dedicated music educator who enjoys working with children and young pupils the most. Educational repertoire for piano beginners and for youth orchestras of different levels can be found within her diverse music catalogue. Her international career as a Composer has made her recipient of several awards such as the Guggenheim Fellowship,... Read More ›

PYPFEST COMPOSER: JEFF SCOTT

Posted on October 26, 2020

Jeff Scott, a native of Queens, NY, started the French horn at age 14, receiving an anonymous gift scholarship to go to the Brooklyn College Preparatory Division. An even greater gift came from his first teacher, Carolyn Clark, who taught the young Mr. Scott for free during his high school years, giving him the opportunity to study music when resources... Read More ›

FROM THE ARCHIVES: 1943 & 1951 CONCERT REVIEWS

Posted on October 22, 2020

Check out a 1943 review from the Oregon Journal of a PJS concert. It mentions the premiere performance of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings.