Senior Orchestra Overview

  • Advanced Plus: 4+ years of private lessons or equivalent experience (school music program, community programs, etc.)

  • Sunday

    2:00pm - 4:30pm

    Carlmont High School

    Belmont, California

    Includes full orchestra rehearsal and individual sectional instruction

  • The senior orchestra performs three concerts in a season (fall, winter, spring) and tours every other year.

Senior-Level Orchestra: PYO

CONDUCTOR: Brad Hogarth

ASST. CONDUCTOR: Jason Kneebone

The senior-level Peninsula Youth Orchestra—which bears the same name as the organization—is our most advanced symphonic ensemble, composed of around 100 string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players.

Under the direction of Music Director Brad Hogarth and Assistant Conductor Jason Kneebone, the orchestra members gain the skills and knowledge needed to play challenging repertoire from the orchestral canon, as well as exciting, new works by living composers. The musicians have regular sectionals with Bay Area musicians throughout the season. PYO performs three concerts per season and tours internationally every other year.

Preparatory Orchestras Overview

  • LEVEL OF PLAYING EXPERIENCE

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

    WEEKLY REHEARSAL COMMITMENT

    Monday

    4:30pm - 5:45pm

    Redwood Shores Elementary School

    Redwood City, California

    Includes full orchestra rehearsal and individual sectional instruction

    PERFORMANCES

    Sinfonia Musica performs three concerts (fall, winter, spring).

  • LEVEL OF PLAYING EXPERIENCE

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

    WEEKLY REHEARSAL COMMITMENT

    Monday

    6:00pm - 7:15pm

    Redwood Shores Elementary School

    Redwood City, California

    Includes full orchestra rehearsal and individual sectional instruction

    PERFORMANCES

    Orchestra Nova performs three concerts (fall, winter, spring).

  • LEVEL OF PLAYING EXPERIENCE

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

    WEEKLY REHEARSAL COMMITMENT

    Monday

    7:30pm - 9:00pm

    Redwood Shores Elementary School

    Redwood City, California

    Includes full orchestra rehearsal and individual sectional instruction

    PERFORMANCES

    PYA performs three concerts (fall, winter, spring).

Preparatory Orchestras: Sinfonia, Nova, and PYA

CONDUCTOR: Jordan Webster

PYO boasts three preparatory orchestras, totaling around 250 students. Conducted by Jordan Webster, all three preparatory orchestras—Sinfonia (beginner), Nova (intermediate) and Peninsula Young Artists (advanced)—expose young musicians to classical and contemporary music, plus an occasional tune from movies and musicals.

Musicians in the preparatory orchestras have weekly sectionals with their respective coaches. The ensembles perform three concerts per season.