OUR MISSION
Encourage the development of young musicians across the community by providing an exceptional and accessible ensemble experience which teaches teamwork and professionalism while inspiring a lifelong passion for music.
The Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestras serve over 230 talented young musicians selected by open regional auditions. Many RPYO members regularly travel 100 miles or more to attend weekly rehearsals and training. All three orchestras perform at the annual Fall and Spring Concerts at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, and our beginning orchestra joins in for the spring concert. Members benefit from full orchestral rehearsals, sectional coaching from professional musicians, and high-level guest conductors. The Reno Philharmonic Association also sponsors tuition scholarships, a concerto competition with cash prizes for winners in each of five divisions, senior scholarships, and a summer camp scholarship.
Youth Symphony Orchestra
• Open to students age 12 to grade 12
• Designed for advanced students
• Open to violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn,
trumpet, trombone, tuba, & percussion students.
• Rehearsals at McKinley Arts & Culture Center, Mondays 5:30-8:00pm
• Directed by Dr. Jason Altieri
The Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO) was founded in 1995 to give a high-level orchestral experience to middle and high school students from northern Nevada and northern California. Since this time, the YSO has become the region’s premier youth orchestra, comprised of 85 exceptional musicians who perform advanced symphonic repertoire.
Many YSO members have gone on to perform with the Reno Philharmonic and other professional orchestras. The YSO is conducted by Reno Philharmonic Associate Conductor Dr. Jason Altieri, who also conducts the University of Nevada Reno Orchestra.
The YSO is conducted by Dr. Jason Altieri who is also the Assistant Conductor of the Reno Philharmonic and Director of Orchestras at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Youth Concert Orchestra
• Open to students age 12 through grade 12
• Designed for upper intermediate students
• Open to violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn,
trumpet, trombone, tuba, & percussion students
• Rehearsals at Damonte Ranch High School, Mondays 5:00-7:00pm
• Directed by Dustin Budish
In 1999 a second group was added—the Youth Concert Orchestra (YCO), a preparatory ensemble geared toward developing technical and performance skills. While YCO members often work toward becoming members of the YSO, the Youth Concert Orchestra has itself become an esteemed performing ensemble.
The YCO is conducted by Dustin Budish, who is also principal violist for the Reno Philharmonic.
Youth Strings Symphonia
• Open to students 4th-8th grade
• Designed for beginning –intermediate students
• Open to violin, viola, cello & bass students
• Rehearsals at Billinghurst Middle School, Mondays 5:45–7:00pm
• Directed by Laurentiu Norocel
In 2009 the Reno Philharmonic Association created a third strings-only orchestra, the Youth Strings Symphonia (YSS). The YSS was established to serve the abundance of young string players in grades 4-8, and is conducted by Laurentiu Norocel.
Youth Strings Ensemble
• Open to students 2nd grade and up
• Designed for beginning students
• Open to violin, viola, cello & bass students
• Rehearsals at O’Brien Middle School, Mondays 4:00-5:00pm
• Directed by Izaak Wierman
Started in 2018, the Youth String Ensemble (YSE) is a strings-only orchestra serving students grades 2 and up. Under the direction of Izaak Wierman, the YSE gives string students who begin private lessons from a young age or are a member of the Reno Phil Association Kids (RPAK) program an opportunity to play in an ensemble from an early age.