Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestras

Audition Information
Auditions for 2009-2010 Season

Contact
Jessica Calandra, Music Program Manager
Jessica.Calandra@tbpac.org
813.222.6456

Katrina Crosby, Music Administrative Supervisor
Katrina.Crosby@tbpac.org
813.222.1273

PCYO MISSION & HISTORY
The mission of Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra is to provide young people in the Tampa Bay Area the opportunity to achieve a high level of musical advancement through a curriculum that focuses on instrumental pedagogy and performance technique. PCYO is comprised of two full symphony orchestras, two strings orchestras, wind ensemble, and a chamber music program.  All of which rehearse at the Patel Conservatory and perform at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. PCYO is committed to the goal that all who participate in its ensembles will eventually obtain the highest level of mastery required to qualify for placement in the most advanced orchestra, Youth Symphony.  The Youth Symphony actively pursues the performance of both traditional and contemporary repertoire, has twice appeared by invitation in Carnegie Hall, is regularly reviewed in area media, and has to date performed the world-premieres of four major orchestral works produced through the PCYO Commissioning Project. PCYO; formerly identified as the Tampa Bay Youth
Orchestra, was founded in 1982 by Beverly Lauring, the University of South Florida, and the Florida Orchestra. When the Patel Conservatory at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center was constructed in 2004, Tampa Bay Youth Orchestra and Patel Conservatory partnered to develop the pre-professional track program that is now being established as one of the leading youth orchestras in the region, now known as The Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra.

YOUTH SYMPHONY
The Youth Symphony consists of highly advanced string, wind, and percussion performers who desire to experience intensive musical growth through the rehearsal and performance of professional-level orchestral repertoire.  String players who have mastered proper position, play with accurate intonation and resonant tone, shift accurately into all positions, and play with refined bow control and vibrato, are eligible for this orchestra. The Youth Symphony, a full symphony orchestra, performs standard orchestral literature and comprises 90 of the most experienced and talented musicians in the Tampa Bay area. The Youth Symphony is comprised of ninety of the most talented musicians in a seven-county area including and surrounding Tampa Bay. Musicians generally range from grades 8 through college level and typically have 5 to 10 years experience. The Youth Symphony actively
pursues the performance of both traditional and contemporary repertoire, has twice appeared by invitation in Carnegie Hall, is regularly reviewed in area media, and has to date performed the world-premieres of four major orchestral works produced through the PCYO Commissioning Project.

JUNIOR PHILHARMONIC
The Junior Philharmonic is a full orchestra program designed for advanced string, wind, and percussion players. String players who qualify are learning to master bow control, vibrato, and shifting into higher positions. Students at the Suzuki Book Level III-IV or a comparable level, who have mastered proper position, and play with accurate intonation and resonant tone, are eligible for this orchestra. The Junior Philharmonic is a full symphony orchestra comprised of approximately 90 students who generally range from grades 4 to 12. These students are advanced musicians
who have strong sight-reading skills and typically have 4 to 8 years of experience.

STRING SINFONIA
The String Sinfonia is a string orchestra (violin, viola, cello, bass) that is designed for students who have had limited orchestral experience and who are working on mastering their reading ability. Students at the Suzuki Book Level II or a comparable level, who have mastered proper position, and who play with accurate intonation are eligible for this orchestra. String Sinfonia includes approximately 60 intermediate students who exhibit the ability to sight read well. They generally range from grades 2 to 12 and have 2 to 6 years of experience.

CONCERT STRINGS
The Concert Strings is a string orchestra (violin, viola, cello, bass) that is designed for beginning string students with limited reading experience. Students at the Suzuki Book Level I or a comparable level who have mastered proper position for their instrument are eligible for this orchestra. This group performs twice during the year to develop poise and performance skills. Concert Strings includes approximately 35 string students in grades 2 to 8.

The Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra is funded in part by The ACMP Foundation, Beverly Lauring, Eleanor M. Beyer Foundation, Ray and Nancy Murray and TECO Energy Foundation.

Events, dates, times, performers and prices subject to change without notice.
© 2009 Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center