Philadelphia Youth Orchestra's Bravo Brass Presents PREMIER BRASS Tonight

The young musicians of Bravo Brass, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra's brass ensemble, are poised to inspire concertgoers with an exciting upcoming performance entitled "Premier Brass." This special event will take place at Saint Mark's Church, 1625 Locust Street, Philadelphia, tonight, March 14, 2015, at 7:30 p.m.

Conductor Paul Bryan will lead the ensemble-comprised of gifted students age 12-21-as they perform compositions commissioned and/or premiered by the ensemble over the past 18 years. Bravo Brass will also be joined by bass trombone soloist Barry McCommon in Jamie Wehr's A Very Barry Fantasy. A member of the genre-bending Nu Directions Chamber Brass, McCommon is known in some circles as the tuxedo-clad bass trombonist of The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia while in others as an artist backing the likes of R&B/funk luminaries Herbie Hancock and Patti LaBelle.

Bryan says this performance is sure to delight audience members of all ages. "This is a wonderful family-friendly opportunity for concertgoers to enjoy our talented young musicians as they present a sophisticated musical lineup," he explains.

General admission tickets are available for $15. For more information, visit pyos.org or call 215.545.0502.

Bravo Brass, founded in 1997, is the brass ensemble program of Philadelphia Youth Orchestra led by Director and Conductor Paul Bryan. The only year-round brass ensemble in the Philadelphia area and one of only three in the country, Bravo Brass offers the highest level of individual and ensemble training and performance opportunities for the most accomplished young brass musicians in the area.

Founded in 1939, The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) organization, under the executive and music directorship of Louis Scaglione, is proud to celebrate its 75th Anniversary season. One of the nation's oldest youth orchestral and college preparatory music education institutions for gifted and talented students, the PYO is recognized throughout America for its outstanding musicianship.

The PYO, based in the tri-state region, affords its students unique opportunities to perform with the most talented, professional musicians in the area. Under the guidance of a prestigious faculty that includes members of The Philadelphia Orchestra, students grow as individuals with a keen sense of discipline and positive social interaction that prepares them for many aspects of living a successful life and provides them an impressive college preparatory credential.

The organization's flagship ensemble, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO), provides the most talented students with advanced orchestral training and performance opportunities throughout the concert season. There are three PYO companion ensembles that include the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra (PYAO), formed in 1996; Bravo Brass, added to the program in 2003; and Philadelphia Region Youth String Music (PRYSM) created in 2007. Young musicians (ages 6-21) are selected by competitive audition and have represented the United States on five continents. PYO offers classical musical performances throughout the Greater Philadelphia region each year. In addition, the organization is a frontrunner in supporting musical education for children from Philadelphia's most vulnerable and under-resourced neighborhoods through the organization's outreach program, Tune Up Philly. For additional information and upcoming events, visit www.pyos.org.