PYSO
is making some exciting changes in 2007-2008!
As of next season, PYSO will have three separate
ensembles:
The Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra
The PYSO Chamber Ensemble
The PYSO Wind Ensemble
Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra
The Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra has been training tomorrow’s
classical musicians since 1972. Celebrating its 35th year in
2007-2008, PYSO is considered among the best youth orchestras in the
Southland. This exceptional ensemble is comprised of talented middle
school students from grades six through nine who receive advanced
instruction and challenging music opportunities through a rigorous
program that emphasizes ensemble playing and includes a minimum of
three concerts a year.
Throughout its 35-year history, PYSO has
distinguished itself through numerous competitions and performances.
The talented ensemble garnered awards for Best All-Around Performance
and Best Radio Broadcast for its appearance in 1989 at the
International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna. The PYSO musicians
were the youngest ever invited to participate in the festival. This
accomplishment led to an invitation to play at Carnegie Hall in May
1991, marking that venerable institution’s centennial. In June 1995,
the group traveled “down under” for a performance at the Sydney Opera
House in Australia. In April 1997, PYSO brought home the Festival
Honor Award for Best Concert Performance at the National Adjudicators
Invitation in Washington D.C. In June of 2005, PYSO again had the
honor to perform at Carnegie Hall and was awarded a coveted Gold
Rating for their efforts. Plans are currently underway for tour to
Vienna, Austria in July of 2008.
PYSO Chamber Orchestra (formerly “Prelude Strings Orchestra”)
The PYSO Chamber Orchestra is an exciting all-string ensemble, lead by
talented co-conductors Anna Lim and Ria Kubota. This ensemble provides
a unique musical opportunity for string players, grades 6-9, to
experience vital musical growth and perform orchestral arrangements
within a tight ensemble.
The Chamber Orchestra offers a broad repertoire and strong appeal to
musicians. The ensemble performs several concerts during the course of
the year and occasionally partners with the newly-formed PYSO Wind
Ensemble to enjoy a full symphonic experience. The group will also
enjoy regular coaching sessions with professional musicians. One of
the highlights of the season is a 3-day music retreat to the UCLA
Conference Center in Lake Arrowhead, which includes performing a
concert for the entire Arrowhead community. Attendance at the retreat
is required of all Chamber Orchestra members.
The PYSO Wind Ensemble is a newly-formed group that will
consist of woodwind, brass and percussion players in grades 6 – 9. The
group will perform several concerts during the course of the year, and
will occasionally partner with the PYSO Chamber Orchestra to enjoy a
full symphonic experience. Members will enjoy regular coaching
sessions with professional musicians. One of the highlights of the
season is a 3-day music retreat to the UCLA Conference Center in Lake
Arrowhead, which includes performing a concert for the entire
Arrowhead community. Attendance at the retreat is required of all Wind
Ensemble members.
THE CONDUCTORS
Jack Taylor, Music Director of the Pasadena Youth
Symphony Orchestra (PYSO), has won rave reviews for his
performance both in the classroom and at the podium since he first
embarked upon his musical career.
Accolades and awards he has received include: Teacher of the Year (Oak
Avenue Intermediate School); the Honorary Service Award (Temple City
PTA); the Very Special Person Award (Monrovia/ Duarte PTA); Department
Honors in Music Education (USC); the Distinguished Service Award
(Freelancers Drum and Bugle Corp); the Pasadena City College Award /Audre
L. Stong Leadership to Band and Community; the Tournament of Roses
Award for Outstanding Ability and Contribution; the Pasadena Junior
Philharmonic Orchestra Award; and the John Philip Sousa Band Award.
Taylor’s association with PYSO began over 20 years ago, when he joined
the orchestra as a violinist. “My time spent in PYSO inspired me to
stay with music the rest of my life,” says Taylor. “As Music Director,
my goal for PYSO is for every child in the orchestra to have as
rewarding an experience as I did.”
After studying violin and trombone throughout high
school, Taylor attended the University of Southern California, where
he received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education and Southern
Oregon University, where he earned his Master’s Degree.
Taylor has conducted numerous bands and orchestras throughout Southern
California. Currently, he serves as Music Director at Oak Avenue
Intermediate School and at Bellis Music Camp, and as Assistant
Director of the Lancer Marching Band at Pasadena City College. For a
change of pace, Taylor also serves as Choir Director at Valley
Community Church in El Monte.
In the 2004-2005 season – Taylor’s first season as
Music Director of PYSO – he lead the orchestra in a triumphant concert
at Carnegie Hall, which yielded them a prestigious Gold Rating from
the adjudicating panel.
Ria Kubota, co-conductor of Prelude Strings is currently in her
5th year with the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra. Mrs. Kubota
attended the University of Southern California receiving a Bachelor of
Music in Music Education in 1998, and a Master of Music Education in
2004. While at USC she was fortunate to study percussion under Dale
Anderson, as well as perform with the USC Trojan Marching Band. Mrs.
Kubota has been seen performing in the Trojan Marching Band with
Fleetwood Mac, as well as under the baton of composer John Williams at
the premiere of his 1996 Olympic Theme “Summon the Heroes.” She
conducts orchestra and teaches a wide variety of music to her
enthusiastic students at Polytechnic School.
Anna Lim, co-conductor of Prelude Strings, began her musical
career as a violinist. Her studies began at the Colburn School of
Performing Arts where she worked extensively with Margaret Shimizu.
This led her to the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she
earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance under the
tutelage of Hichiro Ohyama. Today, Ms. Lim is Director of Instrumental
Music at San Gabriel Christian School. A Suzuki-trained violinist who
received Suzuki Teacher Training from such renowned instructors as
Michelle Higa, Lorraine Fink, Susan Kempter and Liz Arbus, Lim also
teaches both private and group classes at the Pasadena Conservatory of
Music. She has previously been a member of the faculty at the
University of Redlands, CSMA program, and coached and mentored a
number of young musicians throughout the San Gabriel Unified School
District.
NOTE: The PYSO Wind Ensemble conductor will be announced prior to
auditions in May.
