PYO Music Institute Students Recognized in All-City Concerto Competition - PYO Music Institute

The students of the PYO Music Institute (PYO) organization continue to stand out for their talent. All eight finalists, and the first place winner, of the 2018 School District of Philadelphia’s All-City Concerto Competition are current PYO members. 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.

First Place Winner, Young Young Wang, is a 17 year old cellist in PYO, a senior at the Creative and Performing Arts High school (CAPA), and resides in South Philadelphia. He will perform the first movement of Dvorak’s Cello Concerto at the All-City Concert on Thursday, March 15 at 7 p.m. in Verizon Hall of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

Louis Scaglione, President and Music Director of the PYO Music Institute (PYO) organization, was thrilled to learn that many PYO students were honored. He said, “We are always proud of the students in our PYO ensembles who participate in the School District of Philadelphia’s All-City Music Programs, and this year even more because the first place winner and all finalists are current members of the PYO organization. Our students are very dedicated to music and I am always impressed by their motivation to succeed. I congratulate all of this year’s participants and extend an extra salute to First Place Winner Young Young Wang.”

Here is a list of all students who competed with all of these students receiving honors. They participate in either the PYO Music Institute (PYO), Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra (PYAO), or Philadelphia Young Musicians Orchestra (PYMO).

FIRST PLACE WINNER
Young Young Wang, cello, 17, PYO, 12th grade at Creative and Performing Arts High School, lives in South Philadelphia

RUNNERS-UP

1st PLACE:
Nathan Kim, 17, Cello, PYO, 12th grade at Masterman, lives in North Philadelphia

2nd PLACE:
Akili Farrow, 18, PYO, Violin, 12th grade String Theory High School, lives in Southwest Philadelphia

3rd PLACE:
David Hiester, 17, PYO, Bassoon, 12th grade Central High School, lives in West Philadelphia /Univ. City

4TH PLACE:
Marquise Lindsey Bradley, clarinet, 17, PYO, 11th grade at Creative and Performing Arts High School, lives in North Philadelphia
Na-Zir McFadden, clarinet, 17, PYAO, 12th grade at Lincoln High School, lives in Northeast Philadelphia

HONORABLE MENTION (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER):
Malique Bennett, trombone, 17 years old, PYMO, 12th grade at Creative and Performing Arts High School, lives in South Philadelphia
Gregory Padilla, double bass, 17 years old, PYO, 11th grade at Creative and Performing Arts High School, lives in Northeast Philadelphia
Derrick Pondexter, violin, 18 years old, PYMO, 12th 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.