Portland Youth Philharmonic Launches 91st Season with Gusto

Jon Hummelt, PJ Hummelt and Brenda Hummelt

Portland, November 8th, 2014. The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall was packed with supporters for the Portland Youth Philharmonic’s fall concert. The ambitious program included works of Wagner, Harbison, Leyden and Rachmaninoff all performed with skill by the talented musicians of Portland’s premier youth orchestra. Senior French horn player, PJ Hummelt was all smiles after the performance when greeted by his parents Jon and Brenda Hummelt.

David Hattner, PYP Musical Director was joined by Maia Hoffman, (a PYP violist who was featured on the National Public Radio show “From The Top” recorded live at the Rialto Theatre in Tacoma) and PYP alumnus Kenji Bunch who is a renowned violist and composer.

Carol Smith, Annette Duncan, Kiri Murakami-Loehmann (Executive Director) and Joseph Radoski.

The Portland Youth Philharmonic Association supports two full symphony orchestras, a chamber orchestra, a wind ensemble and one string orchestra. Each group is made up of young musicians chosen by open auditions who are seated solely according to ability. They range in age from 7 to 23, come from communities across the region, and represent over 100 different schools.

From PYP:

PYP is a vibrant community where young people can explore their passion for music, grow as individuals and make lifelong friendships. The Portland Youth Philharmonic Association has been known for its FEARLESS artistry, ADVENTUROUS programming and EXCELLENT performances since Jacques Gershkovitch conducted its inaugural concert on February 14, 1925. PYP has flourished over the past ninety seasons by embracing these ideals as the cornerstone of its program.

Your gift supports a vibrant, exciting program:
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE

Three hundred musicians in five ensembles
Outstanding faculty including: David Hattner, Musical Director, Larry Johnson, Conservatory Orchestra and Wind Ensemble Conductor, Carol Sindell, Young String Ensemble Conductor
Comprehensive music theory curriculum led by composer Kenji Bunch
Regular coaching by musicians from the Oregon Symphony
Two annual soloist competitions and one biennial Piano Concerto Competition
Repertoire that closely parallels that of major professional orchestras, including music written by established PYP alumni composers such as Kenji Bunch and Kevin Walczyk
Recipient of three prestigious ASCAP awards for adventurous musical programming, honoring PYPâ€™s dedication to commissioning contemporary composers
Yearly visits from Oregon Symphony Music Director Carlos Kalmar

ACCESS FOR ALL:

PYP never turns away a musician based on financial need
Double Bass and Percussion classes led by Oregon Symphony musicians, free and open to all young musicians
Low-cost Peer Mentor lessons taught by PYP musicians
Free music workshops for beginning wind and brass musicians taught by Oregon Symphony musicians

COMMITMENT TO SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMS:

Free Childrenâ€™s Concerts for schools across the region reaching over 10,000 students, many of whom do not have instrumental music programs in their school curriculum
Free Conductor Visits, bringing PYP artistic directors to lead clinics for band and orchestra programs in districts from Camas to Salem
An annual award for school music teachers, named for PYPâ€™s founder Mary V. Dodge
Ongoing support of school music programs

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.