String Orchestras Overview

  • LEVEL OF PLAYING EXPERIENCE

    Beginner: 1+ year of private lessons or equivalent experience (school music program, community programs, etc.)

    WEEKLY REHEARSAL COMMITMENT

    Tuesday

    4:30pm - 6:00pm

    McKinley Institute of Technology

    Redwood City, California

    Includes full ensemble rehearsal and individual sectional instruction

    PERFORMANCES

    Debut Strings performs two concerts (winter & spring).

  • LEVEL OF PLAYING EXPERIENCE

    Intermediate - Advanced: 2+ years of private lessons or equivalent experience (school music program, community programs, etc.)

    WEEKLY REHEARSAL COMMITMENT

    Tuesday

    6:15pm - 7:45pm

    McKinley Institute of Technology

    Redwood City, California

    Includes full ensemble rehearsal and individual sectional instruction

    PERFORMANCES

    Concordia Strings performs two concerts (winter & spring).

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR 2026-2027 SEASON

String Orchestras: Debut and Concordia

CONDUCTOR: Sarah Wood

PYO has two string orchestras: Debut Strings (beginner) and Concordia Strings (intermediate-advanced). In a strings-only setting, Debut and Concordia musicians develop the technique and musicianship afforded by a chamber music ensemble. Many members advance into Peninsula Young Artists and the senior-level Peninsula Youth Orchestra.

The string orchestras play arrangements of major string and symphonic works, and perform two recitals per season (free and open to the public).

Chamber Flutes Overview

  • Beginner Flute: 1+ year of private lessons or equivalent experience (school music program, community programs, etc.)

    Intermediate Flute: 2+ years of private lessons or equivalent experience (school music program, community programs, etc.)

    Advanced Flute: 3+ years of private lessons or equivalent experience (school music program, community programs, etc.)

  • Sunday

    12:00pm - 1:00pm

    Carlmont High School

    Belmont, California

    Includes full ensemble rehearsal and individual sectional instruction

  • Chamber Flutes performs two concerts (winter & spring).

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR 2026-2027 SEASON

Chamber Flutes

CONDUCTOR: Viviana Guzmán

Chamber Flutes, PYO’s flute ensemble, performs beloved works arranged for several flute parts, including alto and bass flutes. Many Chamber Flutes members also participate in one of PYO’s full orchestras.

Viviana Guzmán, Chamber Flutes’ conductor, assigns weekly exercises to provide individualized feedback on each student’s playing between rehearsals.

The ensemble performs two recitals per season, which are free and open to the public.