The Portland Youth Philharmonic Association supports two full symphony orchestras and one string orchestra for younger musicians. Each group is made up of outstanding young musicians chosen by open auditions each spring and early fall and seated solely according to ability. They range in age from 7 to 22, 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. Programs and services are intended to have an impact on access to music educational opportunities for musicians and audiences alike – by identifying and training talented young musicians and offering educational outreach programs for others.

For more information, call: (503)223-5939 or go to www.portlandyouthphil.org.

The PYP 2010-11 season performances are listed to the right.

America's First Youth Orchestra Opens 87th Season with Special Guest Jun Iwasaki

Portland, OR - (August 2, 2010) The Portland Youth Philharmonic and Conductor and Music Director David Hattner open Season 87: 2010-2011 with the Fall Concert on November 6, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. The highlight of the evening is Bernstein's Serenade for Violin, Harp, Percussion and Strings, featuring Jun Iwasaki, violin (Concertmaster of the Oregon Symphony). Also on the program is Ives' original take on "My Country 'tis of Thee," Variations on America and Hanson's dramatic Symphony No 3.

The Concert-at-Christmas on December 26, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall features all four PYP ensembles and an alumni orchestra. (Calling all PJS/PYP alumni: sign up and participate.) This year the Alumni Orchestra will perform Wagner's majestic Prelude to Die Meistersinger. PYP will begin with Chabrier's brilliantly orchestrated classic Joyeuse Marche. After a world premiere by PYP's own tuba player John Caughman, Lalo's alternately stormy and sunny overture will make its long overdue PYP debut.

The Winter Concert on March 5, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, will be a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the premiere of Petrushka by the Ballet Russe in Paris. The remainder of the program includes Brahms' Tragic Overture and a performance by the winner of PYP's annual Concerto Competition.

The Spring Concert, on May 15, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, PYP's first Sunday Matinee, a "Concert for Everyone." We begin with von Suppe's virtuoso overture, known to cartoon lovers everywhere. Also on the program: Aaron Avshalomov's Peking Hutungs and Hindemith's most popular orchestral work, Symphonic Metamorphosis.

In addition to a subscription series of concerts in the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, PYP provides: musical education and training to over 300 students in four ensembles; free concerts for over 10,000 school children in grades 3-8 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall each year; outreach concerts in schools and other community centers throughout Oregon and SW Washington serving thousands of people in the Pacific Northwest annually; and the Peer Mentor Program which pairs PYP musicians with middle school students for low-cost private music instruction. Members range in age from 7 to 22, are accepted by audition, and represent approximately 100 different schools.

Prices for season tickets begin at $47 for adults and $32 for seniors/students. Single tickets, which go on sale beginning October 1st, begin at $11 for seniors and students and $16 adults. For more information and to purchase season tickets, call PYP at 503-223-5939.