PYO Music Institute Celebrates 85 Years with Grand Opening Concert - PYO Music Institute

The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute (PYOMI) is thrilled to announce the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s (PYO) highly anticipated opening concert of the 2024-2025 season, set for Sunday, November 10th at 3:00 PM at the prestigious Marian Anderson Hall of The Kimmel Center. 

This milestone season opens with an unforgettable performance featuring a world premiere by Paul Frucht, In Tsyet, spotlighting Grammy and Emmy award-winning double bass soloist Ranaan Meyer. The program also includes several iconic American works: Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue featuring renowned pianist Peter Dugan, host of From the Top, and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. 

Louis Scaglione, President and Music Director of PYOMI, expressed his excitement: “As we launch our 85th anniversary season, we invite you to experience a concert filled with thrilling premieres and timeless classics. This opening performance not only showcases the incredible talent of our young musicians but also reflects the countless hours of practice, lessons, and ensemble rehearsals they have dedicated to this moment. Their commitment is a true testament to the discipline and creativity they are nurturing—qualities that will serve them throughout their lives.” 

The remarkable quality of PYO is evident in every performance, making it hard to believe you’re hearing a group of high school students. This extraordinary level of talent is a testament to the exceptional training and education provided by PYOMI. As we celebrate the transformative power of music, we invite everyone to join us in supporting the next generation of musicians as they continue to grow and inspire others. 

The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s opening concert promises to be a memorable experience for all. Tickets start at just $35 and can be purchased online at Ensemble Arts Philly

For more information on PYOMI’s 85th Anniversary Season, please refer to our Season Announcement

About the Guest Artists: 
 
Ranaan Meyer is a multi-Grammy winning, Emmy award winning, and Gold record Double Bassist most known as a founding member and performer with the string trio Time for Three, Founder and Artistic Director of Honeywell Arts Academy, and as a solo performing artist, composer and educator. In June 2022, Time for Three released an album entitled: “Letters for the Future” on Deutsche Grammophon recording with The Philadelphia Orchestra two concertos titled “Concerto 4-3” by Pulitzer Prize and Grammy award winner Jennifer Higdon and “Contact” by Pulitzer Prize winning composer Kevin Puts. Alongside Time for Three, Ranaan recorded and composed the film scoring for Robin Wright’s Focus Feature film: LAND, and co-produced and recorded on Love Renaissance: Summer Walker’s 2nd album. Tf3 has additionally performed around the world including Musik Verein, Czech Philharmonic, Schleswig Holstein Musik Festival, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Sydney Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, Night of the Proms Tour and is in demand across North America. Read more

Pianist Peter Dugan’s debut performances with Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony were described by the Los Angeles Times as “stunning” and by the SF Chronicle as “fearlessly athletic.” He is heard every week across America as the host of National Public Radio’s beloved program From the Top. Mr. Dugan has appeared as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician across North America and abroad. In 2020, he joined acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell for At Home With Music, a national PBS broadcast and live album release on Sony Classical. Since then, Mr. Dugan has continued his collaboration with Bell, touring internationally with recitals at London’s Wigmore Hall, Taipei’s National Theater and Concert Hall, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Read more.  

Paul Frucht is an American composer hailed for his “individual voice” and “poignant utterance” by Gramophone Magazine and “sense of lyricism, driving pulse, and great urgency” (WQXR).” His music has been commissioned and performed by the Minnesota Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Time For Three, among numerous other performing ensembles and organizations. Read more