Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra Presents 2016-2017 Season Opening Concert

The musically gifted students (age 12 to 18) of the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra (PYAO) will perform their first concert of the 2016-2017 season on Sunday, December 18, 2016, at 3 p.m. The concert will take place at Temple Performing Arts Center located at 1837 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA. Conducted by Maestra Rosalind Erwin, PYAO is an ensemble of the prestigious Philadelphia Youth Orchestra.

The repertoire for the concert includes excerpts of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite, Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 and Wagner's Overture to Rienzi, Smetana's The Moldau from Má Vlast.

The selection of music includes some new additions to the repertoire as well old favorites. Maestra Erwin shared her pride in the students, "It is personally rewarding to conduct these talented young musicians who are so dedicated to the music. This program will showcase their talent and will provide a wonderful opportunity for families to share the joy of music this holiday season."

Tickets for the PYAO Concert are $15 general admission and can be purchased at the door. For more information, call 215-545-0502 or visit www.pyos.org.

About Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra (PYAO)

Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra, PYO's companion orchestra, prepares younger classical music students through a sophisticated repertoire and rigorous intellectual and musical discipline. PYAO further provides the opportunity to work with a highly experienced professional conductor, musicians, and teachers; to rehearse a standard orchestral repertoire at a professional level; and to perform in high-profile professional venues throughout the greater Philadelphia region. For nearly 20 years, PYAO has raised funds through performances to support organizations from throughout the region, including Reach Out and Read at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Youth Work Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia. PYAO, conducted by Rosalind Erwin, was established in 1996 under a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts.

About the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra:

Now in its 77th year, training tomorrow's leaders, 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 six 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 120 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. Philadelphia Young Musicians Orchestra (PYMO), directed by Maestro Kenneth Bean, is a beginning to intermediate-level full symphonic orchestra that provides most students with their first introduction to large orchestral playing featuring students age 10-17 years old. 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 PRYSM Young Artists is Andrea Weber. Tune Up Philly (TUP) is PYO's engagement program, directed by Paul Smith, that focuses on creating and inspiring true community by providing children in under-resourced communities with invaluable opportunities to learn and perform a differentiated orchestral music curriculum. www.pyos.org.