It is the purpose of the Portland Youth Philharmonic Association to maintain the finest possible youth orchestras in order to inspire and educate young people through performing symphonic music and to provide a cultural asset for the community.
The Portland Youth Philharmonic Association supports two full symphony orchestras, a chamber orchestra, a wind ensemble and one string orchestra. Each group is made up of outstanding young musicians chosen by open auditions each spring and early fall who are seated solely according to ability. They range in age from 7 to 23, come from communities across the region, and represent over 100 different schools. Membership demands their commitment to an intensive schedule of rehearsals and the performance of a repertoire that closely parallels that of major professional orchestras.
Portland Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (PYP)
Membership in PYP is reserved for outstanding players whose technical level is highly advanced, who show strong musicality and musicianship, and who are capable of the discipline necessary to perform in one of this country's premier youth orchestras. The Philharmonic presents four season concerts, Children's Concerts, and Community Concerts. Musicians also give private lessons to young instrumentalists as part of a nationally recognized Peer Mentor Program. PYP has taken eight national and international concert tours -- to Europe, Canada, Asia, and, Australia and New Zealand, and most recently to the East Coast and Carnegie Hall.
Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra (PYCO)
PYCO performs unabridged masterpieces by great composers at a highly proficient level, therefore applicants should be well-advanced in their own instrumental performance. Weekly rehearsals include a rigorous course in music theory and literacy led by a professional staff of music educators. PYCO performs in the Portland Center for The Performing Arts two times each season and also in Community Concerts, Children's Concerts, and mini-tours throughout the season.
Portland Youth Wind Ensemble (PYWE)
PYWE is a mixed-level wind ensemble geared toward students who have had a great deal of performing opportunities as well as intermediate musicians with moderate performance experience. This ensemble provides more playing time for winds, brass, and percussion players and is open to all members of PYP, PYCO, and other young musicians. Weekly rehearsals and music theory classes stress performance; building solid, fundamental rhythmic and wind ensemble skills; and improving sight-reading abilities. PYWE performs in the Portland Center for The Performing Arts two times each season as well as a school mini-tour.
Young String Ensemble (YSE)
YSE is an intermediate-level string ensemble geared toward students who have not had a great deal of experience performing in an ensemble setting. Weekly rehearsals and music theory classes stress performance; building solid, fundamental rhythmic and orchestral skills; and improving sight-reading abilities. YSE performs in the Portland Center for The Performing Arts two times each season as well as a mini-tour and lobby concerts throughout the season.
Camerata PYP
(formerly known as The Chamber Orchestra of the Portland Youth Philharmonic). Camerata PYP performances take place in the more intimate setting of the Wieden+Kennedy building in the Pearl District and feature an engaging mixture of traditional and modern programming. Participation in Camerata PYP is above and beyond the rehearsals and performances required of musicians' respective PYP ensembles. Camerata PYP musicians are therefore not only outstanding players whose technical level is highly advanced and who show strong musicality and musicianship, but also demonstrate the discipline necessary to learn, explore and perform challenging contemporary repertoire in addition to their existing commitments.
