About Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra

Founded in 1993, Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO) has emerged as one of the top training orchestras in the region. Under the artistic guidance of Pacific Symphony’s renowned music director Carl St.Clair, PSYO is recognized as one of the most outstanding youth orchestras in the country.

Representing over 26 schools in the SoCal region, PSYO offers performance opportunities to instrumentalists in grades 9-12 and is one of four youth ensembles offered by Pacific Symphony’s Youth Ensembles program. PSYO provides members with advanced and innovative artistic experiences and encourages musical and personal growth through the art of performance. Each season students enjoy regular interactions with Maestro Carl St.Clair, with guest artists and composers, and with the 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. PSYO also enjoys periodic international tours, including to Bulgaria in 2011, to China in 2016, and to the Czech Republic and Austria in 2023.

Each season PSYO presents a three concert series at the renowned Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Members also participate in periodic side-by-side performances with Pacific Symphony, where students rehearse and perform in concert with their professional counterparts. Additionally, PSYO’s Spring concerts each season feature the winner(s) of the annual concerto competition auditions, open to all current PSYO members.

Weekly rehearsals are held at UC Irvine between September and May each season and members are selected through annual auditions.