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Dear Friends The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s 2019-2020 season was a remarkable one in many ways. We celebrated our 80th anniversary as one of the preeminent youth orchestra programs in the country and reflected on the growth of our institution. What was founded in 1939 as a single orchestra program run by volunteers has evolved into a professional institution with six ensemble and program divisions with numerous additional educational opportunities—all serving 585 students this season. Our 80th Anniversary milestone presented an ideal occasion to implement changes that clarify our offerings and signal our growing innovation in transforming Philadelphia’s youth through our broad continuum of music training, education, and performance opportunities. We are proud to continue our mission as the PYO Music Institute and look toward the future with a refreshed and contemporary logo and brand. This season was also remarkable in that the world was afflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, we shifted our programming online to continue serving our students with excellent music education by creating a new virtual teaching platform. Students in every ensemble gathered weekly through video conferencing for small group sectionals, lectures, and conversations. Our dedicated Tune Up Philly Teaching Artists offered individual lessons and masterclasses through video conferencing as well, and developed one-way web-based content for students with limited technological access or challenging home situations. In addition, PYO and PYAO students participated in intensive classes with our masterclass faculty from The Philadelphia Orchestra. To conclude the season, each ensemble created virtual orchestra projects in which students recorded themselves performing an excerpt from a work chosen by the conductors, and the videos were compiled to create a virtual ensemble. Managing the pandemic has led to innovation and growth both for our students, our faculty, and our institution.
