Philharmonic Society's Orange County Youth Symphony

This season was unlike any other, but we are grateful to be able to safely gather and perform for our final Orange County Youth Symphony concert of the 2020-21 season! A special shoutout to all the moms out there who are always supportive of our youth symphony musicians! Happy Mother's Day!

Today is the 8th Annual Philharmonic Society High School Orchestra Festival! Celebrate the next generation of orchestra talent by watching the virtual showcase, and consider making a donation to support the Orange County Youth Symphony! View the High School Orchestra Festival for free at 7pm PDT: https://bit.ly/3d7UQPf

Support the Orange County Youth Symphony at the 8th Annual Philharmonic Society High School Orchestra Festival on April 24th at 7pm PDT. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3d7UQPf

Congratulations to Mr. Teren Shaffer, who previously served as the General Manager for the Orange County Youth Symphony and was recently appointed Orange County School of the Arts' new President & CEO! We are excited to see how Shaffer will continue to shape the arts ed landscape in Orange County!

Three of the Philharmonic Society's Orange County Youth Symphony (OCYS) musicians were named as nominees for the 2021 Artist of the Year in instrumental music! Congratulations to 2020-21 OCYS concertmaster Chloe Nelson (violin), Santiago Hernandez Rodriguez (violin), and Andrew Graham Smith (trumpet).

#ThrowbackThursday to one of our favorite Family Concerts, the "Music Matters: Introduction to the Orchestra" concert in 2019. At this concert, Orange County Youth Symphony members performed a musical demonstration of Dvoák's 8th Symphony.

Music can mean different things to different people. Is it your livelihood, an outlet for creativity, or just a means to relax? What does music mean to you?

#DidYouKnow that learning to play an instrument may be good for your child’s brain and could lead them to have greater creativity and a better quality of life? #musiceducation #artseducationmatters

Are you a classical music expert? Take this test to find out!

Grammy-Award winning violinist Hilary Hahn gives her younger self musical advice: "Learn from your teachers, do what they ask of you, and embrace their knowledge while simultaneously identifying your own instincts and finding ways to bring those ideas across effectively." #TuesdayTip #MusicAdvice

A few days ago, members of the Philharmonic Society's Orange County Youth Symphony began socially-distanced music rehearsals at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Rehearsals were held in rotational groups of 10 or less musicians following CDC guidelines as well as online through Zoom.

Our Orange County Youth Symphony musicians are definitely our role models!

In celebration of National #HispanicHeritageMonth, please enjoy this recording of Huapango by José Pablo Moncayo, performed by Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional OSN México. Moncayo incorporated three traditional Veracruz huapangos (a type of Mexican folk dance and music style) Siqui-Siri, Balajú, and El Gavilán into his orchestral masterpiece. Colorfully orchestrated with an emphasis on instruments typical of the Veracruz style (trumpet, harp, and violins) and driven by the distinctive huapango rhythm, Huapango has become an enduring classic.

Principal flute of the Seattle Symphony Demarre McGill speaks on the benefits of music education. #WednesdayWisdom

What is your favorite musical memory? Was it the first time you performed in concert or maybe it was seeing your favorite musician in-person? Let us know in the comments below!

Who else has been distracted from practicing lately?

#TuesdayTip: As a tip to young musicians, professional cellist Janet Horvath suggests, "Experiment with the way you express the music. Search for better and more meaningful ways to communicate. Avoid playing a phrase the same way twice. Change somethingthe phrasing, the dynamic, the fingering, the bowing, the bow speed, the sound quality." In this article, she gives nine more pieces of advice. Which tip will you try?

Happy birthday to virtuoso violinist Itzhak Perlman, who turns 75 today!

Here are the 10 greatest film scores of all time -- from Max Steiner’s epic score for Gone with the Wind, to Hildur Guðnadóttir’s award-winning soundtrack for Joker. What's your favorite film score?

Celebrate the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's 100th birthday on Saturday, September 5! For the very first time since lockdown started, the whole orchestra will perform live! The orchestra will be joined by star soloists, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, performing Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1, and sitar player Roopa Panesar for A.R. Rahman’s Slumdog Millionaire Suite.