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Season opens November 22 at Marian Anderson Hall with Barber’s Violin Concerto and Saint-Saëns’ “Organ” Symphony, and includes Verdi’s Requiem, a new commission by Paul Frucht, and the launch of Prysm Strings – Center City
The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute (PYOMI), one of the oldest and most highly regarded youth orchestra organizations in the United States, today announced its 87th Concert Season. The season coincides with the 30th anniversary of Louis Scaglione’s leadership of the Institute. Scaglione, President, CEO & Music Director, has served PYOMI since 1997. The Institute serves over 1,000 students from 229 schools in 19 counties across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
From first ensemble experiences to pre-professional training, PYOMI ensembles will perform across the Greater Philadelphia region this season. Venues include Marian Anderson Hall and Perelman Theater at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Temple Performing Arts Center, Goodhart Hall at Bryn Mawr College, Centennial Hall at The Haverford School, the Katz JCC in Cherry Hill, the Philadelphia Film Society Center, the Please Touch Museum, and Chris’ Jazz Café.
“As I mark thirty years with the Institute, I am proud of the generations of young people who have grown through our programs and carried those experiences into the wider world,” said Maestro Louis Scaglione. “Through music, our students develop the discipline, collaboration, and leadership skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Whether they pursue careers in music or follow other professional paths, we are preparing tomorrow’s leaders.”
Some Season Highlights Include:
- Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) opens the season on November 22, 2026, at Marian Anderson Hall with Strauss’ Festival Prelude, Barber’s Violin Concerto with Michael Ludwig, former Associate Concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and Saint-Saëns’ “Organ Symphony” with Wanamaker Grand Court Organist Peter Richard Conte. On February 28, 2027, cellist Andrés Sánchez-Linares (PYO ‘13) performs Schumann’s Cello Concerto, followed by Verdi’s Requiem with the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia and soloists from the Academy of Vocal Arts. The season closes June 6, 2027, with a new work commissioned from composer Paul Frucht, Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy with David Kim, Concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1.
- Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra (PYAO) presents three programs at Perelman Theater beginning November 29, 2026, including Copland’s Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo, Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, and Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony. The winner of the 13th annual Young Artists Solo Competition will be featured at the 32nd Annual Festival Concert on May 16, 2027.
- Young Musicians Debut Orchestra (YMDO) serves as the Institute’s bridge into symphony orchestra playing, presenting three concerts at the Temple Performing Arts Center, including its 11th Annual Festival Concert on May 22, 2027.
- Bravo Brass enters a new chapter as longtime master class faculty members Anthony Prisk, Second Trumpet, and Ernesto Tovar Torres, Fourth Horn, both of The Philadelphia Orchestra, step into the role of Co-Directors.
- Philadelphia Youth Symphonic Band (PYSB), led by Director of Education Patrick Bailey, performs advanced wind band repertoire at Goodhart Hall, Bryn Mawr College, beginning with its Winter Concert on December 6, 2026.
- Philadelphia Youth Concert Band (PYCB) enters its third season under Dr. Harley Givler, with a Winter Concert on January 30, 2027, and its 3rd Annual Festival Concert on May 8, 2027.
- Philadelphia Youth Jazz Orchestra (PYJO) and Philadelphia Youth Jazz Ensemble (PYJE), directed by three-time GRAMMY nominee Justin Faulkner, perform at the Please Touch Museum, the Philadelphia Film Society Center, and Chris’ Jazz Café, and host the PYJO 2027 Jazz Festival at the Temple Performing Arts Center on May 1, 2027.
- Prysm Strings continues to grow, offering string orchestra training for students ages 6 to 15 on the Main Line, in New Jersey, and now in Center City with the inaugural season of Prysm Strings – Center City. Prysm Strings – Main Line marks its 20th Annual Festival Concert on April 18, 2027, and Prysm Strings – New Jersey performs repertoire ranging from Vivaldi and Bach to “Nessun dorma” and music from Ratatouille.
- Tune Up Philly – Orchestral Pathways Program provides free, after-school orchestral instruction to young musicians in neighborhoods across Philadelphia, with 232 students taking part last season.
On Friday, March 19, 2027, the Institute will honor Maestro Scaglione’s 30 years of leadership at its annual Gala at The Union League of Philadelphia, featuring performances by PYO and PYJO and a special appearance by David Kim. Last season, PYOMI provided over $190,000 in financial aid to 166 students, and no student is turned away for financial reasons.
Hear Philadelphia Youth Orchestra:
Watch this short snippet from Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s performance of Pines of Rome from March 15, 2026 at the Kimmel Center on YouTube:
Learn More about PYO Music Institute’s Season:
For the full 2026-2027 concert calendar, please visit pyomusic.org/events.
