As one of the world’s top youth orchestra programs, the PYO Music Institute offers unparalleled opportunities for exceptional music students from ages 6­-21. Under the direction of Maestro Louis Scaglione and guidance from prestigious and nationally recognized faculty, students from the greater Delaware Valley region receive superior technical, musical, and performance instruction.

Learn more about the audition process and frequently asked questions for each of our program divisions below.


Philadelphia Youth Orchestra

Ages 15-21
Rehearsals on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Auditions open to: strings, woodwind, brass, piano, harp, and percussion

PYO Auditions
Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra (PYAO)

Ages 13-18
Rehearsals on Sundays from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Auditions open to: strings, woodwind, brass, piano, harp, and percussion

PYAO Auditions
Young Musicians Debut Orchestra (YMDO)

Ages 11-17
Rehearsals on Saturdays from 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Auditions open to: strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion

YMDO Auditions
Bravo Brass

Ages 12-21
Rehearsals on Mondays from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Auditions open to: French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba

Bravo Brass Auditions
Prysm Strings

Ages 6-14
Rehearsals on Fridays from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Auditions open to: violin, viola, cello, and double bass

Prysm Strings Auditions
Pizzicato Players

Ages 12-21
Rehearsals on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Auditions open to: guitar, mandolin, and harp

Pizzicato Players Auditions
Philadelphia Youth Symphonic Band

Ages 13 –18
Rehearsals take place on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Auditions are open to student woodwind, brass, percussion, piano, harp, and double bass players.

Philadelphia Youth Symphonic Band Auditions
Philadelphia Youth Jazz Orchestra

Ages 15-21
Rehearsals take place on Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Auditions are open to student wind (saxophone), brass (trumpet, trombone, tuba), and rhythm section (drum set, vibraphone, guitar, piano, bass) players.

Philadelphia Youth Jazz Orchestra Auditions

Saturday morning rehearsals with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra were the highlight of my junior high and high school years. The ability to perform orchestral masterpieces with top Philadelphia student musicians….was the foundation of my successful career in music.”

Elizabeth Starr Masoudnia
English Horn,­ The Philadelphia Orchestra
PYO member from 1974-­1980

Being a member of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra not only taught me important orchestral skills, but more importantly it taught me life skills. It prepared me for my life today as a professional musician. Every Saturday as a high school student, PYO was an affirming experience. It was motivating and reassuring to be around other students who were as obsessed with music as I was.”

Kerri Ryan
Assistant Principal Viola,­ The Philadelphia Orchestra
PYO member from 1989-1993

PYO was the first real orchestral experience that I ever had. I will never forget my first rehearsal. I never could have imagined the kind of sound and excitement that playing in a symphonic orchestra would give me. To this day, I still LOVE being enveloped by the sound of the orchestra and participating in the process.

Richard Amoroso
Violin,­ The Philadelphia Orchestra
PYO member from 1985-1987

PYO had a huge impact of my life. It is one of the most important ensemble experiences in my early years as a musician. The conductor then was Joe Primavera who demanded a very high level of the students. We found out what we really had to do to play in an orchestra. If Joe was happy with you, you could play for anyone.

Mark Gigliotti
Co-Principal Bassoon,­ The Philadelphia Orchestra
PYO member from 1972-1975