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(August 29, 2022) – Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute (PYOMI), one of the nation’s oldest and most respected community music organizations, is pleased to announce the expansion of Prysm Strings to include Prysm Prep, designed to specifically teach beginning string students the fundamentals of music reading and ensemble playing. Due to the growth of Prysm Strings, now consisting of three levels (Prysm Prep, Prysm Strings Young Artists, and Prysm Strings), the program is moving to a larger rehearsal and performance venue in the newly constructed Parish House of Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr, PA.
A seasoned and pedagogically aligned professional faculty roster is a hallmark component of Prysm Strings, most of whom have been associated with the program since its inception in 2007. The program was co-founded by the late William dePasquale, Co-Concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and Gloria dePasquale, cellist (1977-2022) of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Gloria dePasquale shared her enthusiasm for this new addition and said, “I am thrilled to introduce the newest level of Prysm Strings, Prysm Prep—especially designed for beginning string players (violin, viola, cello, and bass), led by early childhood music specialist, Annie Barley-Givler. Along with Prysm Strings Young Artists, conducted by Andrea Weber, and Prysm Strings, the senior ensemble which I conduct, string students will now have a comprehensive and sequential pathway of learning, with each ensemble teaching and reinforcing skills needed to advance technically and musically. Prysm Strings boasts a faculty of more than a dozen experienced educators and performers who play side by side and perform weekly with the students, in addition to a similar number of string interns from PYOMI orchestras.”
This unique model offers many overlapping circles of mentorship, including side by side rehearsals and performances with each ensemble, developing the basics of leadership and mentorship in all students, as well as offering inspiration and professional guidance.
Prysm Strings, formerly PRYSM (Philadelphia Region Youth String Music), is a string music education program created in 2007 to offer a unique introduction and preparation for string students to acquire and build skills. Prysm Prep (beginning), Prysm Strings Young Artists (intermediate), and Prysm Strings (advanced) provide string ensemble and instrumental sectional rehearsals hosted in the Parish House of Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr. Graduates of Prysm Strings have matriculated successfully into other PYO Music Institute ensembles.
Prysm Prep, Prysm Strings Young Artists, and Prysm Strings rehearsals take place on Fridays from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., mid-September through mid-May, in the Parish House of Church of the Redeemer, 230 Pennswood Road, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010). Auditions will be held Friday, September 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information about Prysm Strings and specific auditions, please visit https://pyomusic.org/audition/prysm-strings/
