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Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles

Pacific Symphony Youth Orchesta cello players

Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles (PSYE)...

Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles (PSYE) is one of the largest pre-professional musical training programs in the nation, nurturing and inspiring young musicians in grades 6 through 12. PSYE provides members with high-caliber and innovative artistic experiences, fostering musical development, personal growth and lifelong learning through the art of classical performance.

The program is comprised of four performing ensembles (Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings and Pacific Symphony Youth Concert Band), all of which are united by the artistic vision of Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair. Each ensemble focuses on advancing student musicianship in a nurturing environment through professional repertoire and unique performance experiences. Students enjoy clinics with Music Director St.Clair, regular coaching sessions with Pacific Symphony professional musicians, and interactions with world-renowned guest artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Cho-Liang Lin, Narong Prangcharoen, Derrick Skye and many more.

Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore, conductor, performing Paul Basler's Carnival (July 2017)

Pacific Symphony Youth Ensemble musicians

Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles primarily perform in the world-class Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa and in various community venues across Orange County. These well-received performances are free to the public, are often "sold" out and touch the lives of thousands of Southern California residents.

Membership in PSYE is determined by an annual audition process, attracting an astonishing 585 candidates for the 2022-23 season. The 285 students who are current members of the Youth Ensembles program represent over 85 school music programs in and around Orange County. Most if not all of PSYE’s graduates pursue higher education, attending such notable institutions as The Juilliard School, Johns Hopkins University/Peabody Institute, Harvard University, Brown University, Stanford University, UCLA and many more.

The Ensembles

Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings is led by Music Director Dr. Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen and provides string musicians in grades 6 through 9 with quality string training and performance instruction.
Pacific Symphony Youth Concert Band is led by Music Director Angela Woo and provides woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians in grades 6 through 9 with intensive concert band training and performance development.
Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble is led by Music Director Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore and provides wind and percussion musicians in grades 9 through 12 the opportunity to refine their skills in an innovative, and technically advanced wind symphony environment.
Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra is led by Music Director and Pacific Symphony Assistant Conductor Dr. Jacob Sustaita and provides 100+ string, wind and percussion musicians in grades 9 through 12 with intense orchestral training.

Learn More

General Program Information
PSYE Auditions
PSYE Season Programming
PSYE Board and Staff
Young Composer Project

For more information about PSYE, please contact our office at psye@pacificsymphony.org.

Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble percussion

Artistic Staff

Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen, Music Director, Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings
Jacob Sustaita, Music Director, Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra and Assistant Conductor, Pacific Symphony
Gregory X. Whitmore, Music Director, Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble
Angela Woo, Music Director, Pacific Symphony Youth Concert Band
Carl St.Clair, Artistic Advisor