Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Names New Development Director - Kevin Gifford

Louis Scaglione, President and Music Director of Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO), is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Gifford as the new Development Director of Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. A Philadelphia-based arts administrator and fundraising professional, Gifford has had a life-long passion for orchestral music, education, and performance. Prior to joining PYO, Kevin Held development posts for various Philadelphia arts organizations including Opera Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Dancing Classrooms Philly, and the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra. Additionally, he assists multiple ensembles with production and event management including Tempesta Di Mare, Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, and Piffaro, The Renaissance Band.

The ideal selection for this position, Gifford has participated himself in youth orchestra programs. In high school, he was a member of Albany NY's Empire State Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorale as an oboist and tenor respectively. In 2010 and 2011, he served as a counselor, woodwind teacher, and chamber music coach for New York State Summer School of the Arts - School of Orchestral Studies in Saratoga Springs, a four-week intensive orchestral program for New York's most talented young musicians.

Gifford holds a Master of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University, focusing his thesis work on a study of Philadelphia performing arts organizations' individual giving programs. He has a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Certificate in Oboe Performance from the Crane School of Music-SUNY Potsdam where he studied with Dr. Anna Hendrickson.

Scaglione, who is celebrating 20 years with PYO this season, is thrilled to add Gifford to his staff. He said, "Kevin brings great strengths to PYO. At this point in the growth of our organization, he was the ideal selection for this position. His experience in fundraising and development in the non-profit cultural and performing arts sectors, as well as his involvement in youth orchestras and music education, make him uniquely suited for PYO."

About Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Organization:

Entering its 77th year, the renowned Philadelphia Youth Orchestra organization, led by President and Music Director, Maestro Louis Scaglione, is one of the nation's oldest and most respected community music education and youth orchestra performance programs, providing talented young musicians from across the tri-state area with exceptional musical training. Students go on to excel in many diverse fields, and it is with pride that Philadelphia Youth Orchestra notes that many members of the prestigious Philadelphia Orchestra are alumni. The organization is comprised of five independent program ensembles designed to meet specific needs and experience levels of students selected through a competitive audition process. The anchor group is the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO), conducted by President and Music Director Louis Scaglione, featuring 125 gifted instrumentalists who range in age from 14-21. Young musicians 12-18 years old are featured in PYO's companion ensemble, the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra, which is led by Director and Conductor Maestra Rosalind Erwin, who is Music Director and Conductor of Drexel University Orchestra. Bravo Brass, directed by Curtis Institute Dean of Faculty and Students, Paul Bryan, is an all brass ensemble for promising middle and high-school instrumentalists. PRYSM (Philadelphia Region Youth String Music) and PRYSM Young Artists ensembles provide string large ensemble and sectional master class instruction for beginning and intermediate musicians ages 6-14. The director and conductor of PRYSM is Gloria DePasquale, cellist with The Philadelphia Orchestra, and conductor of PRSYM Young Artists is Jessica Villante. Tune Up Philly (TUP) is PYO's engagement program, directed by Paul Smith, that focuses on the creating and inspiring true community by providing children in underserved communities with invaluable opportunities to learn and perform a differentiated orchestral music curriculum. www.pyos.org.