Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles (PSYE)
Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles (PSYE) is one of the largest pre-professional musical training programs in the nation, nurturing and inspiring young musicians in grades 6 through 12. PSYE provides members with advanced and innovative artistic experiences, fostering musical development, personal growth and lifelong learning through the art of classical performance.
The PSYE program is comprised of four performing ensembles (Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings and Pacific Symphony Youth Concert Band), all of which are united by the artistic vision of Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair. Each ensemble focuses on advancing student musicianship in a nurturing environment through professional repertoire and unique performance experiences. Students enjoy clinics with Maestro St.Clair, regular coaching sessions with Pacific Symphony professional musicians, and interactions with world-renowned guest artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Cho-Liang Lin, Narong Prangcharoen, Derrick Skye, Glenn Dicterow and many more.
Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra - SCL Festival 2023
Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore, conductor, performing Paul Basler's Carnival (July 2017)
Pacific Symphony Youth Ensemble Musicians
Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles primarily perform in the world-renowned Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, CA, as well as in various additional venues across the region. These warmly received, and well attended performances are free to the public and touch the lives of thousands of Southern California residents each season.
Membership in PSYE is determined by annual auditions for all new and returning members and are held each spring, attracting on average over 650 candidates each season. The 320 students who are current members of the Youth Ensembles program represent over 75 school music programs in and around Orange County. Most if not all of PSYE’s graduates pursue opportunities in higher education, attending such notable institutions as Juilliard, Johns Hopkins University/Peabody Institute, UCLA, University of Michigan, Stanford, Yale, Brown, Vanderbilt, Rice, and many more.
For more information about PSYE, please contact our office at psye@pacificsymphony.org.