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About the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO)

Focusing on music education, the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO) program serves the community by providing performance opportunities to young instrumentalists from throughout Orange County. The Youth Orchestra is one of the primary education programs of the Pacific Symphony. It is one of three Youth Ensembles programs offered by the Pacific Symphony. All members are required to participate in their school music programs. Led by new Music Director Maxim Eshkenazy (who also serves as the Assistant Conductor of the Pacific Symphony) the program also benefits from the artistic vision of Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair, who acts as the artistic advisor for all activities. Weekly Sunday afternoon rehearsals are held in the Music Department of the University of California, Irvine. The 2009-10 season Youth Orchestra represents over 45 different schools from all across Orange County and beyond, and consists of 107 students who were selected through annual auditions held in the late spring.

The Youth Orchestra presents a popular three concert subscription series of performances at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in addition to other community concerts. Members of the orchestra benefit from coaching sessions with professional musicians of the Pacific Symphony as well as rehearsing and performing 'side-by-side' with their professional colleagues on a Family Musical Mornings Series concert each season. In addition, students receive free tickets to Pacific Symphony concerts and exclusive access to Pacific Symphony rehearsals together with opportunities to meet guest artists.

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Highlights

Having its debut season in 1993, the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra has emerged as the premier training orchestra of Orange County. Under the artistic direction and guidance of the Pacific Symphony's renowned Music Director, Carl St.Clair, the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra is quickly being recognized as one of the most outstanding youth orchestras in our country. This tradition of excellence encompasses a variety of elements:

• In-depth study of challenging orchestral repertoire
• Direction by a professional conductor
• Coaching by Carl St.Clair
• Coaching by Pacific Symphony musicians
• Performances in the world renowned Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
• Weekend retreat at Palomar Retreat Center in San Diego, CA
• Exposure to nationally recognized soloists
• Annual Concerto Competition
• Workshops and master classes
• Chamber ensemble training and performance opportunities
• Ticket vouchers to Pacific Symphony concerts

PSYO members participate in an innovative and unique training program designed to develop talents and prepare young, advanced musicians for the multi-faceted careers of tomorrow

History

Formed in 1993, PSYO is celebrating its 17th season! Previous conductors have included Edward Cumming (1993-1996) currently music director of the Hartford (Connecticut) Symphony Orchestra, Elizabeth Stoyanovich (1996-1999) currently music director of the Bremerton Symphony Association (Washington) and The Butte Symphony Association (Montana), and Mark Mandarano (1999-2002) currently principal guest conductor of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, and Michael Hall (2002-2008), who now serves as music director of the Southwest Florida Symphony.

The 2003-2004 season saw the establishment of the PSYO Board of Directors, led by Hans Imhof, who served as Chair of the PSYO Board from 2003-2008. In 2007, the PSYO Board of Directors became the Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles (PSYE) Board of Directors. In 2008-2009, former Chair of the Pacific Symphony Board John Stahr served as Chair of the PSYE Board of Directors, taking the place of Hans Imhof. The Board Chair for the current season is Elizabeth Stahr.

In 2007, Pacific Symphony saw the establishment of two new Youth Ensembles; Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble (PSYWE) and Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings (PSSS). Together, PSSS, PSYWE, and PSYO form the Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles (PSYE). In 2007, the PSYO Board of Directors became the Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles (PSYE) Board of Directors.

Staff