The Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestras (PYSO) consists of six ensembles for musicians of all levels.

Students must audition into the Prelude Strings, String Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphony, and Philharmonic. These five ensembles serve students in grades 6-12

Our All City Orchestra strings ensemble is only eligible to students in the Pasadena Unified School District in the grades 3-6 who are enrolled in their school music program.

PYSO Philharmonic

David Cubek, Conductor

Previously known as the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra (PYMO), the PYSO Philharmonic is our premier orchestra, comprised of the most advanced string, wind, and percussion players, and performs major symphonic works, the most difficult repertoire of the ensembles. Most musicians are in grades 9-12.

The Philharmonic rehearses on Sunday nights from 6pm-8:30pm at Pasadena City College unless otherwise noted.
For the 2019-2020 season, the Philharmonic and Symphony will be touring Vienna. More information can be found here
PYSO Symphony

Jack Taylor, Conductor

The PYSO Symphony is an advanced-intermediate symphony orchestra, comprised of string, wind (including saxophone), and percussion players, that builds on a solid foundation of musicianship to expand students’ technical and rehearsal skills and includes intense orchestral training. Musicians are typically in grades 7-10 and repertoire includes classical works as well as arrangements.

The Symphony rehearses on Tuesday nights from 5:15pm-7:30pm at Pasadena High School unless otherwise noted.

For the 2019-2020 season, the Philharmonic and Symphony will be touring Vienna. More information can be found here.

PYSO String Orchestra

Pin Chen, Conductor 

The String Orchestra is an all-strings ensemble that provides intermediate to advanced violin, viola, cello, and string bass students a unique musical opportunity to experience vital musical growth, perform orchestral arrangements, and develop ensemble playing and technical skills. Musicians are typically in grades 6-9.

 

The String Orchestra provides a strong foundation for future orchestral playing experiences.

For specific pieces, the PYSO Wind Ensemble and String Orchestra will combine for rehearsal and performances, giving musicians the opportunity to perform within a full symphony setting. Students participating in String Orchestra have ensemble experience, musical style and expression, along with experience in vibrato and shifting.

The String Orchestra rehearses on Tuesday nights from 5:15pm-7:15pm at Pasadena High School unless otherwise noted.
PYSO Wind Ensemble

Gary Yearick, Conductor

The PYSO Wind Ensemble is an intermediate to advanced winds ensemble for wind, brass, and percussion musicians that explores fun and challenging repertoire. This ensemble serves musicians by further developing their individual technical and ensemble skills that include scales, dynamics and articulation studies. Ensemble skills include matching intonation between sections and ensemble, blend and balance as it relates to wind ensemble repertoire.  Most students are in grades 6-9.

 

For specific pieces, the PYSO Wind Ensemble and String Orchestra will combine for rehearsal and performances, giving musicians the opportunity to perform within a full symphony setting.

 

The Wind Ensemble rehearses on Tuesday nights from 5:15pm-7:15pm at Pasadena High School unless otherwise noted.
Prelude Strings

Kyle Smith, Conductor

Prelude Strings is an intermediate-beginning level all-strings ensemble to develop technical and foundational skills. This group stresses listening and teamwork skills, and provides a strong foundation for future orchestral playing experiences.  Most students are in grades 6-7 and have been playing for at least two years or have completed the All City Orchestra program.
Prelude Strings rehearses on Tuesday nights from 5:15pm-6:15pm at Pasadena High School unless otherwise noted.
PYSO All City Orchestra

Melinda Rice, Conductor

The All City Orchestra is an education initiative launched by the Pasadena Symphony Association in 2012 for students of the Pasadena Unified School District. The program provides small group and full ensemble instruction for students in partnership with school district faculty. This tuition-free ensemble is only eligible for PUSD students in the 3rd to 6th grades enrolled in their school music programs.

Currently, the ACO rehearses at two schools in the PUSD – Field Elementary (on Tuesdays)  and Jackson Elementary (on Mondays). All students benefit from instruction by individual section coaches: Erin Barnes, Kris Rahamad, April Guthrie, and Ryan Baird.

If your child is eligible, please contact Alex Chu for more information or to sign up!