Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles (PSYE)
Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles (PSYE) is one of the largest and most prestigious pre-professional music training programs in the nation, nurturing and inspiring exceptional young musicians in grades 6 through 12. PSYE provides its members with advanced, innovative artistic experiences that cultivate musical excellence, personal growth, and lifelong engagement with the art of symphonic performance.
Now under the creative leadership of Alexander Shelley, Pacific Symphony’s Artistic and Music Director Designate, PSYE continues to build upon the rich legacy established by Music Director Laureate Carl St.Clair, who originally envisioned the program as an integral part of Pacific Symphony’s educational mission. Together, their vision reflects a shared commitment to inspiring the next generation of artists and audiences.
Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra - SCL Festival 2023
Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore, conductor, performing Paul Basler's Carnival (July 2017)
Pacific Symphony Youth Ensemble Musicians
Comprising four performing ensembles—Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings, and Pacific Symphony Youth Concert Band—PSYE offers students the opportunity to develop their artistry through professional repertoire, world-class coaching, and unique performance experiences.
Members benefit from engaging conversations and mentorship with Maestros Shelley and St.Clair, receive regular coaching from Pacific Symphony musicians, and collaborate with renowned guest artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Cho-Liang Lin, Narong Prangcharoen, Derrick Skye, and Glenn Dicterow, among many others.
The Youth Ensembles perform regularly at the acclaimed Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, CA, as well as at venues throughout the region. These free, community-focused performances are warmly received each season, touching the lives of thousands of Southern California residents.
Membership in PSYE is determined through annual auditions held each spring, drawing more than 700 applicants each year. The 335 students currently participating represent over 75 schools across Orange County and beyond. Graduates of the program go on to study at leading institutions including Juilliard, Johns Hopkins University/Peabody Institute, UCLA, University of Michigan, Stanford, USC, Brown, Vanderbilt, Yale, and many more.
The Ensembles
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra is led by Music Director and Pacific Symphony Assistant Conductor Pola Benke and provides 100+ string, wind and percussion musicians in grades 9 through 12 with intense orchestral training.
For more information about PSYE, please contact our office at psye@pacificsymphony.org.