YOUTH ORCHESTRA
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Play orchestral music, learn, and have fun!
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Founded in 2013 and based in Franklin County, the PVS Youth Orchestra includes musicians from schools across the region, including Hampshire and Franklin counties and southern Vermont and New Hampshire. We are an ensemble of talented, hard-working elementary-, middle-, and high-school-age musicians. We have an orbiting team of dedicated family members, professional musicians, and educators, including Youth Orchestra Director Nell Wiener and Registrar Lily Ruderman.
The Youth Orchestra performs in an independent concert each semester, tours local schools in April, and plays alongside the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra in the annual Holiday Pops celebration.
REHEARSALS
Sunday Evenings, 5–7PM
Greenfield High School
21 Barr Avenue, Greenfield, MA
FALL CONCERT WITH
STRINGS FOR KIDS
Sunday, November 12, 2023 4PM
Greenfield High School
21 Barr Avenue, Greenfield, MA
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SPRING CONCERT WITH
TURNERS FALLS HIGH SCHOOL
Sunday, May 5, 2024 4PM
Turners Falls High School
222 Turnpike Rd, Montague, MA
AUDITIONS
​YO holds auditions for all orchestral instruments in May, August, September and November. Students with at least 3 years’ experience on their instrument are encouraged to audition!
There is a non-refundable $25 audition fee, which is deducted from the tuition cost when the student is accepted.
Questions? Contact Lily Ruderman, Registrar, at youth@pvso.org or ‪413-773-3664‬.
REHEARSAL INFORMATION
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Sunday Evenings, 5:00-7:00PM
Greenfield High School
21 Barr Avenue, Greenfield, MA
The rehearsal and concert schedule are below. Be sure to bring a pencil, your music, and a snack for the break!
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Notify us at youth@pvso.org or ‪413-773-3664‬ prior to any absence and include the reason for your absence. If there is no advance notification, that absence will be considered “unexcused.” In cases of illness or family emergencies when advance notice is not possible, please inform us as soon as possible.
TUITION & FEES
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We strive to ensure accessibility of our programs to all members of the community. Tuition for the PVS Youth Orchestra and YO Chamber Ensembles is now offered on a sliding scale.
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SUSTAINABLE: $175/semester $350/year. This is the per-student cost to sustain this program.
ACCESSIBLE: $150/semester $300/year. This is discounted tuition to support access to music for all.
EQUITABLE: $200/semester $400/year. Help us keep PVS programs accessible to all.
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To explore additional financial support options, contact us at youth@pvso.org or (413) 773-3664.
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WHAT'S IT LIKE PLAYING IN THE PVSYO?
Here are a few of the musicians to tell you all about it!
RECENT CONCERT RECORDINGS
CHAMBER MUSIC ​
The Pioneer Valley Symphony Youth Orchestra Chamber Ensemble provides additional performance and musical opportunities to students ready for a more rigorous commitment. Chamber Ensemble is led by a professional coach and rehearses weekly.
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Chamber Ensemble has performed at Youth Orchestra concerts, community outreach concerts, and at Pioneer Valley Symphony events.
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For more information about the PVSYO Chamber Ensemble email youth@pvso.org.
Chris Johnson, Orchestra Parent
“We are so thankful that there is this chance to get to know other young musicians in our community and for the privilege of playing under a professional conductor.”
Nick Bagley, Orchestra Parent
“If you have a young musician in your household, visit the orchestra on a Saturday afternoon to observe first-hand the comraderie and the music!”