PYPO's 2026 International Tour location will be announced at our final concert on April 13th! Get tickets here.
School Year Ensembles
begin. grow. love. learn. achieve.
PYPO’s five school-year ensembles provide a rigorous and inspiring orchestral learning community for more than 225 beginning to pre-professional string, woodwind, brass, and percussion students each year. With five ensembles geared towards musicians of all ability levels, there is a place for you at PYPO!
​​Our ensembles offer a place to grow your passion for music through weekly Saturday rehearsals, performances in inspiring venues, regular sectional coachings with professional musicians, social activities, and leadership opportunities. Click on an ensemble below to learn more about it! They are listed in order from beginning to advanced.
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Overture Strings
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Overture Band
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Intermezzo Strings
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Intermezzo Band
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Philharmonic Orchestra
OVERTURE ENSEMBLES
For Developing Musicians
Overture Ensembles provide developing musicians the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of their instrument while working in a string orchestra or band setting. Students work on technical and ensemble skills while playing both classical and contemporary music.​
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Our Overture ensembles are led by expert directors Mr. Kevin Varga (Overture Band) and Ms. Christina Crivelli (Overture Strings), who both have rich experience working with this age group. Along with receiving guidance from our incredible music faculty, students are also mentored by students from our Intermezzo and Philharmonic ensembles.​ If you're ready to up your playing in a fun and engaging environment, this group is for you!
Eligibility:
Elementary and Middle School students with one or more years of playing experience
Rehearsals:
9:00-10:00am on Saturdays, October through April at Carlynton Junior/Senior High School
Performances:
Overture students perform in two concerts per season and take part in PYPO’s annual festivals
Tuition:
Full Season Tuition: $400.00 (find information on financial assistance here)
No audition is required to join Overture Ensembles.
INTERMEZZO ENSEMBLES
For Intermediate Musicians
PYPO’s Intermezzo Ensembles are for musicians who have mastered the foundational skills of their instrument and are ready for a new challenge. Intermezzo is an opportunity for musicians to increase time and experience with their instrument before progressing to our Philharmonic Orchestra.
Students rehearse and perform as a string and band ensemble separately for the first portion of the season, and then combine to make the PYPO Intermezzo Full Orchestra in the Spring. Intermezzo Band is led by Dr. Scott DiTullio, and Intermezzo Strings is led by Ms. Erika Pierce.
Eligibility:
Intermezzo musicians are typically middle school and high school students, with at least two years of playing experience. Auditions are required to join this ensemble, which can be scheduled on our audition page.
Rehearsals:
10:30-12:30pm on Saturdays, September through April at Carlynton Junior/Senior High School
Performances:
Intermezzo musicians perform in three concerts each season.
Tuition:
Full Season Tuition: $600.00 (find information on financial assistance here)
Auditions are required to join Intermezzo Ensembles.
PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
For Advanced Musicians
The Philharmonic Orchestra is our most advanced ensemble. Philharmonic students work on challenging repertoire to advance their playing abilities, develop leadership skills, and make lifelong friendships in a full orchestra setting. Philharmonic students can also participate in our annual Concerto Competition and Student Conductor Competition.
The Philharmonic rehearses under the direction of PYPO Music Director, Patrick Forsyth, and receives instrument-specific coachings by professional musicians multiple times each year.
Eligibility:
Philharmonic musicians are typically high school students with 4+ years of playing experience. Auditions are required to join this ensemble, which can be scheduled on our audition page.
Rehearsals:
10:00-1:00pm on Saturdays, September through April at Carlynton Junior/Senior High School
Performances:
Philharmonic musicians perform in three concerts each season.
Tuition:
Full Season Tuition: $700.00 (find information on financial assistance here)
Auditions are required to join Philharmonic Orchestra.