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 at least 6 concerts each year, including a Side-by-Side Concert with The Florida Orchestra, as well as 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 the Pinellas Youth Symphony. Pinellas Youth Symphony 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 Florida Orchestra. The Pinellas Youth Symphony performs in the area’s finest concert halls, including Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Murray Studio, the Mahaffey Theater, the St. Petersburg College Music Center, and the Palladium Theater.
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, Assistant Concertmaster of The Florida Orchestra, conducts this ensemble. Orchestra participants have the opportunity to perform as soloist with the Serenade Strings accompanying them. The Serenade Strings perform five or six concerts during the year, including a Side-by-Side Concert in conjunction with the Pinellas Youth Symphony and The Florida Orchestra. On occasion the Serenade Strings also performs with the Pinellas Youth Symphony. Rehearsals are scheduled to enable musicians in Serenade Strings to join the Pinellas Youth Symphony. Also tuition is greatly reduced for those students who choose to participate in both orchestras.
The Pinellas Youth Philharmonic is comprised of intermediate to advanced string, wind, and percussion students. The orchestra rehearses for two hours each week, and at various times during the season professional musicians teach sectional classes. The Pinellas Youth Philharmonic performs in at least two concerts during the season and from time to time performs a joint piece with the Pinellas Youth Symphony.
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.