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, Hannah Smeltz, 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, 4–6PM
Greenfield High School
21 Barr Avenue, Greenfield, MA
FALL CONCERT WITH
STRINGS FOR KIDS
Sunday, November 9, 2025 4PM
Greenfield High School
21 Barr Avenue, Greenfield, MA
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SPRING COLLAB CONCERT
April 2026, Date/Time TBD
AUDITIONS
Auditions for Fall 2025 will take place
in May & August.
Currently scheduled times:
Saturday, May 17 & 24 from 9AM - 1PM
Friday, May 30 & June 6 from 3PM - 5 PM
Church of Saints James and Andrew
8 Church St. Greenfield, MA
Register for a 15-minute slot at the link below:
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.
Please note that the first two rehearsals of each semester are OPEN to interested students. Please notify us if you plan to attend so we can have music prepared. New students will be asked to schedule an audition following their first rehearsal.
Questions? Contact Lily Ruderman, Registrar, at youth@pvso.org or ‪413-773-3664‬.
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 is now offered on a sliding scale.
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Tuition information for 2025-2026 coming soon!
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No student is turned away for lack of funds.
To explore additional financial support options, contact us at youth@pvso.org or (413) 773-3664.
PVSYO 2025-26
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
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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 will be led by Cecilia Berger weekly on Wednesdays for an hour between 4:30-6:30 in Downtown Greenfield. Exact time TBD, depending on the number of interested students.
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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!”