Impact Across the Community
Each year, more than 800 students enter PYO Music Institute ensembles with the dream of growing as musicians and citizens. Many come from families who could not otherwise afford this caliber of music education. PYOMI’s Sponsored Chair Program opens doors to talented musicians—incentivizing music excellence—providing a pathway for students to move to the highest level of our myriad of program divisions, all while preparing young people for college, careers, and lifelong engagement with the arts.
This season, the sponsored chair program initiative has launched with the PYO Music Institute’s flagship Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, where every principal, associate principal, assistant principal, and section leader carries great responsibility, visibility, and prestige. Your support will affirm the excellence of these students while providing Philadelphia Youth Orchestra students with the life-changing opportunity to study, rehearse, and perform at the highest level without financial burden.
Sponsored Chair Program supporters will provide the scaffolding to transform lives and strengthen communities. With recognition before an annual live audience of over 8,000 and social media and website exposure to a growing virtual community of over 12,000, your impact will resonate on the stage and far beyond.
How to Support SCP
- Select your Chair: Select a specific chair in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra on a first-come, first-served basis. Prestigious positions include Concertmaster, Principal Strings, and Section Leaders across winds, brass, percussion, harp, and keyboard.
- Make your Gift: Your gift sponsors the chair position for 5-years.
- Receive Recognition: Your sustaining sponsorship gift will be acknowledged in all concert program books, credited below the name of the student they support, and on PYOMI social media channels.
Example:
Contrabass
William Smith, Principal
Timothy Dilenschneider Chair
What our Donors think about the program
Sponsor a Chair“As former PYO parents, we saw how transformative PYOMI was for our child—both as a young musician and in building his sense of character. When we thought about how to best honor Tim’s journey and success, sponsoring a chair for PYO’s Double Bassists felt like the perfect choice. The process was easy and thoughtfully guided by the team at PYO.”
— Kathy and Frank Dilenschneider, PYO Alumni Parents and 5-year Sponsored Chair Donors for the Timothy Dilenschneider Chair, Contrabass
Select from the list below and give today, or contact Salvator Parillo by emailing sparillo@pyomusic.org or calling 215.545.0502 ext. 5 for more information.
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Sponsored Chairs
Endowed Music Dir. & Conductor (coming in FY27): $1,500,000
Concertmaster*: $25,000
Associate Concertmaster: $15,000
Assistant Concertmaster: $12,500
Principal 2nd Violin: $25,000
Associate Principal 2nd Violin: $15,000
Assistant Principal 2nd Violin: $12,500
Principal Viola: $25,000
Associate Principal Viola: $15,000
Assistant Principal Viola: $12,500
Principal Violoncello: $25,000
Associate Principal Violoncello: $15,000
Assistant Principal Violincello: $12,500
Principal Contrabass*: $25,000
Associate Principal Contrabass: $15,000
Assistant Principal Contrabass: $12,500
Flute/Piccolo Section Leader: $25,000
Oboe/English Horn Section Leader: $25,000
Clarinet Section Leader: $25,000
Bassoon Section Leader: $25,000
Horn Section Leader: $25,000
Trumpet Section Leader: $25,000
Trombone Section Leader: $25,000
Tuba Section Leader: $25,000
Percussion Section Leader: $25,000
Harp Section Leader: $25,000
Piano/Keyboard Section Leader: $25,000
*Sponsored through 2030