NEXT EVENT - Follow this link for information on our fundraising dinner plus concert "PYSO Encore!" at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall Ballroom on June 2, 2013.

Founded in 1945 and affiliated with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra since 1962, the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra continues to rehearse and perform at its home base of Heinz Hall.

For over 67 years, PYSO alumni have gone on to prominent musical careers, with many of them winning positions in major symphony orchestras throughout the world.

PYSO undertakes an international concert every three years and recent tours included Italy (2011), China (2008) and Central Europe (2005). The next tour is in 2014 when the musicians will undertake a concert tour of Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. In 2012, PYSO mounted a very successful fundraising campaign to raise money for its Instrument Acquisition Fund, which allowed us to purchase a much needed Bass Drum, Harp, Contrabassoon and Orchestral Chimes. On October 20, the renowned Pittsburgh Piano Trio featuring PSO cellist Mikhail Istomin and PSO violinist Jennifer Orchard performed a concert at RODEF SHALOM to benefit PYSO’s Instrument Fund.

The 2012-2013 season is working out to be an extraordinary year.  In addition to including our ever popular and free Heinz Hall concerts, PYSO performed a special concert in September on the prestigious Tiffany Concert Series to benefit the Allegheny Historic Preservation Society, and will perform with instrumental and choral ensembles from Carnegie Mellon University and Duquesne University under the direction of PSO Music Director Manfred Honeck at Heinz Hall in April 2013.

PYSO continues to work hard on increasing the number of small ensemble performances in various outreach locations that will broaden our reach and help bring classical music to underserved audiences. Watch for our string quartets, woodwind groups, and brass groups in places like Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh Children’s Museum, Children’s Hospital, PPG Wintergarden, and more.

Thank you to all those individuals that contribute to PYSO. Your support of this organization is part of what makes our programs so vibrant and strong. Without the generosity of concerned individuals like you, our 2012-13 season would not be possible.

We look forward to seeing you at our concerts this year.
Craig Johnson, PYSO Executive Director

P.S. – Read more about PYSO’s history and origins on Wikipedia and see a slide show with audio on YouTube.

ALUMNI
PYSO alumni, please visit our Alumni page to see if your name is on the list.

KUDOS
Visit Kudos to see the accomplishments and awards of current and former PYSO members.

PARTNERS OF PYSO
Prime Stage Theater
Advanced Chamber Music Seminar

DONATE to PYSO
You can donate online or you can mail a personal check at any time in any amount to PYSO, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.