The Pinellas Youth Symphony is an organization founded in 1958 by music educators to promote the music development in our community. Our students benefit from a qualified professional staff with a challenge to train talented young musicians in the finest techniques of orchestral and ensemble performance.

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Learn more at www.pysmusic.org

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MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Pinellas Youth Symphony, Inc. is to:

• Offer the community a program for the youth of Pinellas County that will support and enhance the music education of the individual through participation in a challenging group setting.
   

• Encourage children to focus their extracurricular energy on a positive activity that will nurture appreciation for the arts.
   

• Provide students with an environment that will support the development of positive self-esteem and self-discipline and promote the spirit of cooperation through an orchestral experience.

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The Pinellas Youth Symphony

The Pinellas Youth Symphony, our flagship orchestra, is comprised of advanced string, wind, and percussion musicians, many of whom are top student musicians from throughout Pinellas County. The musicians of this orchestra perform major orchestral selections in 5 concerts, including the Annual Wallace Gause Concert, Holiday, Spring and Finale Concerts. 

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Seniors in this orchestra are invited to participate in the annual concerto competition. Dr. Susan Robinson, who has had extensive experience teaching and conducting student musicians (both nationally and internationally), is the Conductor for this orchestra. Members rehearse for two hours each week at Ruth Eckerd Hall. At various times throughout the season, they participate in sectional classes, coached by professional musicians from the area's professional orchestras. The Pinellas Youth Symphony performs in the area’s finest concert halls, including Murray Studio at Ruth Eckerd Hall, the Mahaffey Theater, the Palladium Theater, and the St. Petersburg College Music Center. 

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Serenade Strings

The Serenade Strings Orchestra is comprised of advanced string students from throughout Pinellas County and surrounding counties. The orchestra meets weekly for two hours to learn and perform music selected from the vast string repertoire. Mr. Lei Liu, Second Assistant Concertmaster of The Florida Orchestra, conducts this ensemble. Assisting Mr. Liu at times are musicians from the area's orchestras. The Serenade Strings perform five or six concerts during the year.

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Pinellas Youth Philharmonic

The Pinellas Youth Philharmonic is comprised of intermediate to advanced string, wind, and percussion students. The orchestra rehearses for two hours on Sunday afternoons from 2:30-4:30 under the direction of Dr. Susan Robinson. Professional musicians also provide sectionals at various times throughout the season. This orchestra presents at least two concerts each year. 

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Symphonic Strings

This ensemble is offered to advanced beginner and early-intermediate level string musicians. In many instances this is the first opportunity for string students to play in a large string ensemble. Professional musicians also teach sectional classes to Symphonic Strings at various times throughout the season. This ensemble performs in two concerts per season.

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Funding

Approximately 35% of the funding of PYS comes from tuition paid by the students. In an effort to make this opportunity affordable for the majority of students, 65% of the funding must come from other sources, such as grants and contributions. The PYS program contributes towards the making of fine young citizens. Music gives children something special and interesting to do with their time, and rewards that will stay with them throughout their lifetime.

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The Pinellas Youth Symphony, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) Not-for-Profit Corporation and all gifts made to PYS are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free 1-800-435-7352. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.