The students of the PYO Music Institute (PYO) organization demonstrate, once again, how talented they are! Six of the nine finalists of the 2019 School District of Philadelphia’s All-City Concerto Competition are current PYO members, including the first place winner, Marquise Bradley. The School District of Philadelphia’s All-City Music Program, consisting of a full symphonic orchestra, concert band, and choir, is audition based and includes the top performing student musicians within The School District of Philadelphia.
Louis Scaglione, President and Music Director of the PYO Music Institute (PYO) organization, was delighted PYO students were well represented in this year’s competition. He said, “The experience garnered by students participating in PYO and the School District of Philadelphia’s All-City Music Programs prepare them for tremendous levels of success throughout their careers, whether in music or other fields. The level of seriousness our students bring to their instruments continues to inspire me. I offer sincere congratulations to all of this year’s participants and to First Place Winner Marquise Bradley.”
Marquise Bradley is a clarinetist in PYO, a senior at the Creative and Performing Arts High School (CAPA) and resides in North Philadelphia. Bradley was also recently accepted into The Philadelphia Orchestra’s All City Fellowship program and is an artist of the Primavera Fund and the Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth (PMAY).
Here is a list of all PYO students who competed with all of these students receiving honors. They participate in various PYO organization ensembles — either the PYO Music Institute (PYO) or Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra (PYAO).
RUNNERS-UP
2nd PLACE:
Greg Padilla, bass, PYO, 12th grade at Creative and Performing Arts High School, lives in Northeast Philadelphia
3rd PLACE:
Daniel Kim, cello, PYO, 12th grade at Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School, lives in Center City
FINALISTS:
Semaj Murphy, violin, PYAO, 10th grade at Girard Academic Music Program, lives in Northwest Philadelphia
Malinda Voell, flute, PYO 12th grade, Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, lives in Northeast Philadelphia
HONORABLE MENTION:
Louis Dong, violin, PYAO, 10th grade at Creative and Performing Arts High School, lives in North Philadelphia
About the School District of Philadelphia’s All-City Program:
For over 70 years, the School District of Philadelphia’s All-City Program has been dedicated to opening doors and broadening educational and vocational horizons for music students in Philadelphia. Its alumni include musicians in orchestras around the country, including The Philadelphia Orchestra. The School District of Philadelphia’s All-City Orchestra is under the music direction of Joseph Conyers, Assistant Principal Bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
About PYO Music Institute: Now in its 79th year of training tomorrow’s leaders, the renowned PYO Music Institute organization is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected community music education and youth orchestra performance programs, providing talented young musicians from across the tri-state area with exceptional musical training. Students go on to excel in many diverse fields, and it is with pride that PYO Music Institute notes that many members of the prestigious Philadelphia Orchestra are alumni. For more information, please visit www.pyos.org.