PORTLAND YOUTH PHILHARMONIC HOLDS AUDITIONS IN AUGUST 2019 AHEAD OF 96TH SEASON
Posted on August 6, 2019
PORTLAND, OR – Since 1924, Portland Youth Philharmonic has been committed to inspiring young musicians throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington, while also providing the highest quality music education possible. The orchestra has a long tradition of excellence in education and performance dating back to its first concert in 1925.
Today, there are nearly 300 musicians from over 100 schools in five ensembles: the Portland Youth Philharmonic, PYP’s Conservatory Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Young String Ensemble, and their new Percussion Ensemble. PYP will hold auditions for all of its ensembles at its office in Southwest Portland throughout August. Local, young musicians are invited to discover the world’s greatest music and make lifelong friends in one of the country’s top youth orchestra programs. PYP offers financial aid and tuition assistance. No musician will ever be turned away for lack of ability to pay.
“PYP is actually the reason I started playing the bass,” says 17-year-old Vegas Harmon, who recently graduated from Portland Youth Philharmonic and David Douglas High School in Southeast Portland. “I originally played violin, but for financial reasons had to stop. My parents saw that PYP was offering a free bass class and figured that it would be cheaper to rent an instrument and do that than to try to find another violin teacher.”
Hundreds of other aspiring young musicians like Vegas have gotten their start with Portland Youth Philharmonic. The organization offers rigorous orchestral training, and the chance to perform repertoire that closely parallels that of many professional orchestras. PYP musicians benefit from regular coaching by Oregon Symphony musicians, annual solo competitions, and a comprehensive music theory curriculum led by local composer (and PYP alumnus) Kenji Bunch. The orchestra’s music education is overseen by PYP’s professional conducting faculty comprised of Musical Director David Hattner, prominent French horn player and teacher Lawrence Johnson, and Inés Voglar Belgique, the Oregon Symphony’s Assistant Principal Second Violin.
Auditions last about 10 minutes and are heard by the PYP conducting staff only. A list of requirements, tips on what to prepare, as well as an online application can be found at www.portlandyouthphil.org/auditions.
PYP believes that great music education should be accessible to every child. PYP provides need-based tuition assistance, as well as financial support for private lessons, instrumental rental, concert attire, and other expenses as needed. No musician will ever be turned away for lack of ability to pay. In 2018-2019, 82 musicians (29% of enrolled musicians) received nearly $35,000 in aid. Full details about financial aid can be found under the Audition section of the PYP website.