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PYO Music Institute’s President, CEO, and Music Director receives Italian state honor recognizing a 35-year career in music and teaching and his work strengthening ties between the United States and Italy.
Maestro Louis Scaglione, President, CEO, and Music Director of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute (PYO Music Institute), has been named a Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy (Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia). The honor was conferred by the President of the Italian Republic, upon the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, by decree given in Rome on May 29, 2026. The recognition comes during PYO Music Institute’s 87th season, which also marks Maestro Scaglione’s 30th anniversary leading the Institute.
Nico Frandi, Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia, presented the insignia of the Order to Maestro Scaglione at a ceremony at The Union League of Philadelphia on Tuesday, September 29. 2026. Joseph V. Del Raso, Chairman Emeritus of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), and the Honorable Frank Giordano, a member of the NIAF Board of Directors, attended the ceremony.
The Order of the Star of Italy was established in its current form by Law no. 13 of February 3, 2011, which renamed and updated the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, founded after World War II. The Order recognizes individuals who have rendered distinguished service in fostering friendly relations and cooperation between Italy and other countries and in strengthening ties with Italy.
The official justification for the honor cites Maestro Scaglione’s 35-year professional career in music and teaching, through which he has trained and educated thousands of students in a field where Italy holds a singular place. It also recognizes his service as Chairman of the Garibaldi Society, an organization dedicated to promoting awareness of Italian American heritage and strengthening cultural, educational, and economic ties between the United States and Italy. Maestro Scaglione also serves as a Cultural Ambassador for the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). In 2025, he marked the Foundation’s 50th anniversary by organizing and conducting a celebratory concert devoted entirely to Italian opera, performed by the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra at Marian Anderson Hall on November 23, 2025.
Nico Frandi, Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia, who presented the insignia to Maestro Scaglione, reflected on his contributions to music education and Italian-American cultural relations, as well as their personal friendship.
“I was particularly happy to award Maestro Scaglione with the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy. Maestro (Cavaliere) Scaglione has dedicated a 35-year professional career to music and teaching, training and educating thousands of students in an artistic field where Italy is the undisputed leader. His deep connection to Italian culture led him to serve as Chairman of the Garibaldi Society, an organization dedicated to promoting greater awareness of Italian-American heritage and strengthening cultural, educational, and economic ties between the United States and Italy. Maestro Scaglione also serves as a Cultural Ambassador for the National Italian American Foundation.
Last year, with a concert dedicated entirely to Italian opera – that I had the pleasure to attend and the honor to introduce at Kimmel – he marked the Foundation’s 50th anniversary. One year into my diplomatic mandate in the United States, I count Louis among my closest and esteemed friends. Congratulazioni Cavaliere!”
Maestro Scaglione has served PYO Music Institute since 1997, and the 2026–27 season, the Institute’s 87th, marks his 30th anniversary as its leader. Under his direction, PYO Music Institute serves over 1,000 students from 19 counties across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. He established the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s concert series at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and has led five international tours. In 2024, Musical America named him one of its Top 30 Professionals of the Year.
Italian repertoire remains part of the season ahead!
On February 28, 2027, Maestro Scaglione will lead the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra in Guiseppi Verdi’s Requiem at Marian Anderson Hall, with internationally acclaimed soloists and the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia.
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