The
Peninsula Youth Orchestra is located in San Mateo County, in the
mid-peninsula region of the San Francisco Bay area. PYO
serves over 450 musicians from the elementary grades through High
School with a Senior Orchestra, three Preparatory Orchestras,
two Flute Ensembles, and several string and chamber ensembles. The
orchestras and ensembles meet weekly, and all musicians study the
traditional orchestral repertoire with an emphasis on contemporary
literature and works by American composers. Musicians audition to join
the organization, and are placed at the appropriate level.
Orchestras: The Peninsula Youth Orchestra is conducted by Mitchell Sardou Klein. PYO section coaches are Randall Weiss, violin; Patricia Whaley, viola; Janet Witharm, 'cello; Chris Crews, bass; Michael Corner, woodwinds; Don Couch, brass; and Matt Germano, percussion. PYO members are eligible to compete in the annual Concerto Competition in which two to four winners perform with the PYO during the course of the season.
The Sinfonia Musica, Orchestra Nova, and Young Artists Preparatory Orchestras are directed by Sara Salsbury with the assistance of Jordan Webster (woodwind specialist), Don Couch (brass specialist), and Matt Germano (percussion ensemble).
The Peninsula Youth Orchestra and the Preparatory orchestras regularly perform works commissioned by and composed for the PYO, by PYO Composer-In-Residence Ron Miller, and other contemporary composers.
Tours: The Peninsula Youth Orchestra was awarded the prestigious ASCAP Award for "Adventurous Programming of American Music on Foreign Tours" for their highly successful Japan Tour during June, 1999. The second international tour, to New Zealand and Australia in the summer of 2001, culminated with performances in the world-famous Sydney Opera House as part of the invitational Australian International Music Festival. The PYO was awarded "Showcase Status" by the festival. In the summer of 2003, the PYO participated in the European Youth Orchestra Festival in Northern Italy! In 2005, the PYO performed in Northern Spain and Southern France, and in 2007, the PYO performed in Vienna, Budapest, and Prague. In 2009, the PYO visited Paris, Normandy, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In 2011, the PYO visited Bristol, Bath, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and London, England. The 2013 PYO tour will be to Germany.
The Peninsula Young Artists (PYA) orchestra began touring in 2004, with a performance in Carnegie Hall. In 2006, the PYA played in Salzburg and Vienna, and in 2008, the PYA spent ten days in China. In 2010, PYA performed at Disney Hall in Los Angeles. In 2012, PYA visited Ireland!
Chamber Music: As an outgrowth of its successful summer camp chamber music programs, PYO now offers chamber music during the regular season. Musicians currently enrolled in the PYO orchestras may also enroll in chamber music (reduced fee) and musicians may audition for and join just the chamber music program for an annual fee. Large chamber ensembles now include the Debut Strings and Chamber Strings, conducted by Sara Salsbury, and the Chamber Flutes and Con Brio Flutes, led by Sasha Launer.
Collaborative Events: PYO groups participate in a number of collaborative events each season, including the Bay Of Hope Concert in Davies Hall in January, and the annual "Save the Music" festival in Belmont.
Orchestras: The Peninsula Youth Orchestra is conducted by Mitchell Sardou Klein. PYO section coaches are Randall Weiss, violin; Patricia Whaley, viola; Janet Witharm, 'cello; Chris Crews, bass; Michael Corner, woodwinds; Don Couch, brass; and Matt Germano, percussion. PYO members are eligible to compete in the annual Concerto Competition in which two to four winners perform with the PYO during the course of the season.
The Sinfonia Musica, Orchestra Nova, and Young Artists Preparatory Orchestras are directed by Sara Salsbury with the assistance of Jordan Webster (woodwind specialist), Don Couch (brass specialist), and Matt Germano (percussion ensemble).
The Peninsula Youth Orchestra and the Preparatory orchestras regularly perform works commissioned by and composed for the PYO, by PYO Composer-In-Residence Ron Miller, and other contemporary composers.
Tours: The Peninsula Youth Orchestra was awarded the prestigious ASCAP Award for "Adventurous Programming of American Music on Foreign Tours" for their highly successful Japan Tour during June, 1999. The second international tour, to New Zealand and Australia in the summer of 2001, culminated with performances in the world-famous Sydney Opera House as part of the invitational Australian International Music Festival. The PYO was awarded "Showcase Status" by the festival. In the summer of 2003, the PYO participated in the European Youth Orchestra Festival in Northern Italy! In 2005, the PYO performed in Northern Spain and Southern France, and in 2007, the PYO performed in Vienna, Budapest, and Prague. In 2009, the PYO visited Paris, Normandy, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In 2011, the PYO visited Bristol, Bath, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and London, England. The 2013 PYO tour will be to Germany.
The Peninsula Young Artists (PYA) orchestra began touring in 2004, with a performance in Carnegie Hall. In 2006, the PYA played in Salzburg and Vienna, and in 2008, the PYA spent ten days in China. In 2010, PYA performed at Disney Hall in Los Angeles. In 2012, PYA visited Ireland!
Chamber Music: As an outgrowth of its successful summer camp chamber music programs, PYO now offers chamber music during the regular season. Musicians currently enrolled in the PYO orchestras may also enroll in chamber music (reduced fee) and musicians may audition for and join just the chamber music program for an annual fee. Large chamber ensembles now include the Debut Strings and Chamber Strings, conducted by Sara Salsbury, and the Chamber Flutes and Con Brio Flutes, led by Sasha Launer.
Collaborative Events: PYO groups participate in a number of collaborative events each season, including the Bay Of Hope Concert in Davies Hall in January, and the annual "Save the Music" festival in Belmont.