Founded in 1924 by visionary violin teacher Mary V. Dodge, Portland Youth Philharmonic provides young musicians in Portland OR with a challenging opportunity to explore their creativity while receiving the highest quality musical education. The nation’s first youth orchestra, PYP has produced consistently inspiring performances and upheld a tradition of excellence since its first public concert in February 1925. Alumni of this organization can be found around the world in professional orchestras, teaching music at every level, and promoting music education as an important life skill that benefits individuals in any career path.

Today, our organization is comprised of four large and two small performing groups, open by audition to young players, ages 9-23. Ensembles include: Portland Youth Philharmonic and Camerata PYP chamber orchestra conducted by Musical Director David Hattner; Conservatory Orchestra led by Lawrence Johnson; Wind Ensemble directed by Giancarlo Castro D’Addona; String Ensemble conducted by Inés Voglar Belgique; and Percussion Ensemble coached by Gordon Rencher. All PYP musicians receive regular coaching from Oregon Symphony musicians and weekly music theory lessons led by local composer, violist, and PYP alumnus Kenji Bunch. Need-based tuition assistance is available to every musician who passes an audition.PYP offers many free and low-cost community programs serving thousands of students annually. PYP’s free Children’s Concerts introduce orchestral music to elementary and middle school students, the Peer Mentor program pairs veteran PYP musicians with regional beginners for private lessons, and PYP’s Middle School Coaching Project selects professional teaching artists to partner with band directors at middle schools in under-resourced communities to provide small group coaching for students needing extra help. Learn more about PYP’s programs and upcoming events at www.portlandyouthphil.org

Albums

First Symphonies – Premiere Recordings

Release Date: December 13, 2024
Catalog Number: NV6691
21st Century
Orchestral
Orchestra
The Portland Youth Philharmonic debuts two new symphonies by acclaimed contemporary composers Lera Auerbach and Polina Nazaykinskaya on FIRST SYMPHONIES - PREMIERE RECORDINGS. Nazaykinskaya’s first symphony, April Song, exposes the tenacity of the human spirit, rich winter melodies blooming into the rumblings of a welcome spring storm as the overarching narrative depicts a triumphant rise from the ashes, defining the human experience. Defining and redefining is likewise no stranger to Auerbach, who encompasses both of these in Chimera, a symphony echoing themes and particularly adored motifs from her ballet The Little Mermaid. Chimera is a complex grafting of one idea onto the next, inspirations from Greek mythologies imposed onto a distinctly transformative sound. “Redefines” falls short of proper description. Auerbach reinvents, readjusts, rebuilds, and renews an entirely new musical existence.

Ikarus Among the Stars

Release Date: May 26, 2023
Catalog Number: NV6521
21st Century
Chamber
Clarinet
Piano
String Quartet
There are many composers who intertwine eclectic influences into one coherent picture, but few people do it as ambitiously and convincingly as New York City based composer Debra Kaye. On IKARUS AMONG THE STARS, she vibrantly explores themes both real and surreal, perpetual and fleeting, nonchalant, and profound. Kaye's sources of inspiration are unnumbered; it seems there is nothing which she cannot turn into a composition. The works presented (two of them multiple award winners) draw their inspiration from Spanish poetry, real-life tragedy, and from the pieces of fellow contemporary composers. All of these sources are woven together by Kaye's measured choice of tonality, and the resulting tapestry is remarkable.

Tomáš Svoboda: Premiere Recordings

Release Date: January 13, 2023
Catalog Number: NV6490
21st Century
Orchestral
Orchestra
Navona Records and the Portland Youth Philharmonic are proud to present TOMÁŠ SVOBODA: PREMIERE RECORDINGS, an album bringing four works from composer Tomáš Svoboda to life. Since 1924, the Portland Youth Philharmonic has provided young musicians in Portland OR with a challenging opportunity to explore their creativity while receiving the highest quality musical education. Through this album, the ensemble further upholds their mission statement with these dexterous works including two premiere recordings, Svoboda’s Folk Concertino for 7 instruments and Variations for Violin and String Orchestra.