Pasadena Youth Symphony Brings Home the Gold

On June 30, the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra (PYSO) joined three other West Coast youth orchestras at Carnegie Hall’s 2005 New York Orchestra Festival in Isaac Stern Auditorium. By evening’s end, despite being the youngest musicians participating in the event - PYSO is an orchestra of middle-school aged musicians - PYSO took center stage, earning a coveted gold rating.

“It was stunning,” said Orchestra Manager Jean Severson. “It was like watching a movie-of-the-week about ‘The Little Orchestra That Could.’

Actually, even before it finished performing, PYSO had proven that it could hold its own that evening.

“One of the works PYSO performed was ‘Inchon’ by R.W. Smith,” said Severson. “After we finished, there was dead silence for 10 to 12 seconds. Then the audience erupted with a standing ovation, and we still had one more piece to perform. The kids’ faces looked like it was Christmas; they were overwhelmed to receive such a warm reception.”

“I could not have been more proud of this group of musicians,” said Music Director and conductor Jack Taylor. “Our kids acted and played like pros throughout the entire tour.”

Taylor is alluding to the fact that PYSO’s Carnegie Hall week-long tour included a stop in Boston for some sightseeing, master classes and a performance at the city’s Fanueil Hall.

Families with musicians in grades six through nine who are interested in learning more about PYSO. can contact Severson at 626-793-7172, ext. 23 or e-mail jseverson@pasadenasymphony.org.

Auditions for the 2005-2006 Season will take place on Sept. 10 and 11. Students who audition must be involved in their school music programs and studying with private teachers.

Based upon auditions, musicians will then be placed in either PYSO or the allstring ensemble Prelude Strings. Both PYSO and Prelude Strings rehearse weekly on Tuesday evenings.