A Passion for Music

A Passion For Music
Produced by: Karen Smyles

The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra is the tri-state region’s premier youth orchestra organization for gifted, young, classical musicians, and one of the oldest and most highly regarded youth orchestra organiza­tions in the United States. For 77 years, the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra organization has been providing professional-caliber musical experiences to young instrumental­ists, while thrilling discriminating audiences in the Greater Philadelphia region and across the globe.

The organization has six programs: Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO), Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra (PYAO), Philadelphia Young Musicians Orchestra (PYMO), Bravo Brass, Philadelphia Region Youth String Music (PRYSM), and Tune Up Philly, an El Sistema inspired program.

Ranging in age from 6 to 21 years, the musicians of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra organization are selected by competitive audition and come from a 70-plus-mile radius of Philadelphia encompassing nearly 20 counties within Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Through advanced orchestra repertoire, students are challenged to perform at pro­fessional levels, to strive for advanced musi­cianship, and to achieve superior technical, musical, and personal application.

Friday Arts sits down with Louis Scaglione, President and Music Director, at The Kimmel Center for a behind the scenes look at why this program has been so successful. We talk with conductors from all divisions and meet a few young rising stars in the music world.