Founded in 1993, Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO) has emerged as the premier training orchestra of Orange County. Under the artistic direction and guidance of Pacific Symphony’s renowned music director, Carl St.Clair, PSYO is quickly being recognized as one of the most outstanding youth orchestras in the country.

 

Representing 29 schools in the SoCal region, PYSO offers performance opportunities to instrumentalists in grades 9-12 and is one of four Youth Ensembles programs offered by Pacific Symphony. PSYO provides members with a high quality and innovative artistic experience and strives to encourage musical and personal growth through the art of performance. Each season students enjoy an interaction with Maestro Carl St.Clair, as well as regular interactions with guest artists and professional musicians of Pacific Symphony. Students also engage in an annual weekend retreat and are offered free and discounted tickets to Pacific Symphony performances throughout the season.

 

During the season PSYO presents a 3-concert series, generously sponsored by individual donors. Members also participate in a Side-by-Side performance with Pacific Symphony, where students perform in concert with their professional counterparts as part of Pacific Symphony’s Family Musical Mornings. Performances take place at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The final performance of each season features the winner(s) of the annual concerto competition, for which auditions are exclusive to current PSYO members.

The season starts in August and ends in May each year. Members are selected through annual auditions.