Mini-Grant Spotlight: Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra
To continue our mini-grant spotlight, today we are highlighting the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra which was one of the four recipients of our $500 mini-grants. The Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra (PYCO) was founded in 2006 by current Artistic Director, Pablo Ardiles. Formerly the Pittsburgh Youth Chamber Orchestra, PYCO began as a chamber orchestra comprised of 18 students and has since expanded to a full symphonic orchestra with additional ensembles and programs, serving 200 young musicians and their families. The Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra offers opportunities for string, woodwind, brass, percussion, and harp players in grades 4 to 12. Their young musicians are fully committed to the highest degree of musical beauty in their performance of the classical, alternative, and contemporary music repertoire for chamber ensembles, chamber orchestra, band, and symphonic orchestra.
Their winning picture was taken during their finale concert for this season “Suite Sixteen” which took place in May. Their musicians performed a special arrangement of “Crocodile Rock” with all 130+ students and they took this picture after their rehearsal. The kids had a great time and the younger students felt honored to play next to the older students!
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Stay tuned to learn about the other two mini-grant recipients over the next few weeks.
