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.
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.
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.
String players in this orchestra are members of The Pinellas Youth Symphony orchestra who are then invited to join the Serenade Strings, based on auditions and seat availability. There is no extra tuition to participate in this orchestra. This orchestra rehearses on Sunday afternoons, from 2:30-4:30 pm, allowing students a short supper break before attending the PYS (orchestra) rehearsals from 5:00-7:00 pm. Each season, participants in the Serenade Strings have the unique opportunity to perform in concert solo pieces while accompanied by the Serenade Strings.
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.
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.