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MISSION

The mission of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra is:
   To teach and inspire excellence through orchestral training
   To perform in premier venues
   To cultivate audiences for classical music

FACTS

The Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra:

• Was founded in 1946 for the purpose of providing educational opportunities and the finest orchestral training for young musicians in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area
• Is an independent youth orchestra in all governing, administrative and financial matters
• Has enjoyed an affiliation with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra since 1962
• Rehearses each week from September until May at its home, Heinz Hall
• Is currently comprised of approximately 85 musicians, ages 14-21
• Accepts members through highly competitive auditions
• Is conducted by the Assistant Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
• Is coached by members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
• Presents concerts at Heinz Hall, Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, Carnegie Music Hall and various outreach locations
• Is broadcast annually on WQED-FM
• Has won awards in national and international competition and was selected as one of the top six youth orchestras in the United States to participate in the 2002 National Youth Orchestra Festival
• During the European Tour of 2005, PYSO was selected as the first American orchestra and also the first youth orchestra to ever perform at the prestigious Smetanova Festival in the Czech Republic - also was selected as the one and only youth orchestra to perform at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Germany in the year 2005
  

Now in his second season as Music Director of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Meyer has already reinvigorated the orchestra, enlivened its impact on the community, and brought a distinctive flair for innovative programming to audiences of all ages.  As Resident Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, he conducts over 40 performances a year, including subscription, pops, community, and education concerts.  This season he will lead the orchestra in the world premiere of Richard Danielpour’s Pastime, based on the lives of the great American ballplayers Jackie Robinson, Josh Gibson, and Henry Aaron.
 
In 2004, Mr. Meyer led the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony in a special performance at the first ever National Performing Arts Convention and conducted the orchestra on its first international tour in fifteen years to Vienna, Prague, Leipzig and Budapest in 2005. Last season he led the Youth Symphony in the world premiere of David Stock's Clarinet Concerto with soloist Richard Stoltzman and led the orchestra on tour in Washington, D.C.     

More biographical information on PYSO Music Director Daniel Meyer

PYSO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John Gisleson- President
Kim Jackson - Vice President
Timothy M. Slevin - Secretary
Melanie LaSota - Treasurer
Mary Lois Bartolomucci
Lawrence D. Breck
Nancy Lee Cochran
James Cunningham
Frances DeBroff
Deborah Dick
Jerry A. Gindele
Natalie Taaffe Hoffman
Patricia Prattis Jennings
Carole Kamin
Robert F. Milspaw
Anita Potocar
Suzanne Cafferty Ross
Ann M. Shiry
Steven Silberman
Elizabeth Simpson
Rachel Tabachnick
Antoinette Tuma
Susan Haggerson Utech
Gerald J. Voros
Peggy Smyrnes Williams
Michael Zeglinski

Emeritus Directors
Mrs. James P. Kinard
Robert A. Walsh

Advisory Board
Mrs. Marjorie C. Greenberger
Gary P. Hunt
John M. McElroy
Dr. Michael L. Nieland
Sylvia Robinson
Mrs. Eric W. Springer
Harry A. Thompson, II

Administrative & Artistic Staff Board
Daniel Meyer - Music Director
Craig W. Johnson - Executive Director
Eve Goodman - Program Coordinator, Personnel Manager & Librarian

PYSO PARENTS' ASSOCIATION

The PYSO Parents' Association (PYSOPA) is a volunteer support organization that assists in promoting activities and projects to benefit the orchestra members. Activities include providing meals on concert days, student yearbook, orchestra photo, CD recording, and helping with fundraisers.

2007-08 Officers:
Laura Campbell, President
Valeria McCarthy, Vice President
Nancy Mozeik, Secretary
Essi Efthimiou, Treasurer

WORKS PERFORMED

PYSO strives to perform works from a variety of sources, from traditional favorites to new contemporaries, celebrating the diversity of symphonic musical scores and performances. Click here for a sample of works we've performed.