Impact Report: 2021-2022

Thank

Thank you for being part of our PYO Music Institute family – a community of passionate young musicians, educators, parents, audience members, and friends.

OUR MISSION

The PYO Music Institute uses extraordinary music education through the pursuit of music excellence to inspire a strong sense of character, discipline, commitment, and community for our diverse student population.

A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND MUSIC DIRECTOR AND PYOMI BOARD CHAIR

Dear Friends,

The 2021-2022 season has been a special one. Students gathered together in person again, we learned how to rehearse and focus in ways that many of us had forgotten, and we created some spectacular music along the way.

We did not “return to normal” with this season – in many ways, we surpassed our own expectations for what we can accomplish at the PYO Music Institute. We introduced new programs and built the foundation for ongoing connection across ensembles, generations, and instruments. We set the groundwork for the next chapter at PYOMI through the adoption of our 2022-2027 strategic plan. We worked hard and saw incredible dedication and growth from our students.

None of this, of course, would be possible without you. Thank you for your continued generosity that makes it possible for us to foster a community of young musicians who are challenging themselves and one another to develop as individuals and leaders through the pursuit of musical excellence. We look forward to seeing what our students can achieve in the 2022-2023 season.

With all best regards and appreciation,

Louis Scaglione President and Music Director

Lydia Ogden Chair, PYOMI Board of Trustees

You!

“PYOMI has allowed me to bond with people who share the same interests as me. We are able to have in depth conversations about the things that make us who we are and we are able to help one another in a safe environment… It is a one-of-a-kind experience!”

Building Community through Mentorship & Alumni Engagement: Prysm Strings, Bravo Brass, & Tune Up Philly

Coming out of a year and half of physical isolation due to the pandemic, our students, faculty, and alumni were hungry to build in-person relationships again. The 2021-2022 season was filled with meaningful conversations, intergenerational music making, and shared learning.

PRYSM INTERNS MENTOR OUR YOUNGEST MUSICIANS

On any given Friday night at Prysm Strings, you’ll find a host of older students sprinkled throughout the ensemble of our youngest program division. These are Prysm Interns, who play side-by-side with younger students to help guide their learning. Many Prysm Interns began their musical pathway in the Prysm Strings and are thrilled to come back as mentors.

Andrea Weber, Conductor of Prysm Strings Young Artists, said, “Mentorship for the youngest division of string players is extremely beneficial for both the students and the interns. The youngest students absolutely adore the interns; they look forward to talking with them, watching them play, asking questions, and sitting next to them in rehearsals. In turn, the interns learn leadership skills and experience what it feels like to be a positive role model. They also get to see what it might be like to be a music teacher, which could inspire their career choices.”

In particular, Ms. Weber noted that “having older PMAY students as interns has a positive impact on younger students of color. Seeing older students who look like themselves in leadership positions reinforces their self-esteem and motivation.”

ALUMNI HELP CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF BRAVO BRASS

In celebration of the ensemble’s 25th anniversary, Bravo Brass Director Paul Bryan and Bravo Brass students welcomed alumni from across the decades to participate in concerts throughout the season. Ehren Valmé (PYO and BB ’17) returned for three concerts to conduct the ensemble, including alumni, in his own arrangement of “O Thou Who Camest From Above.” As part of Bravo Brass’ final concert on June 12—a terrific culmination of the 2021-2022 season—over 60 musicians performed onstage during a multimedia performance which included historic recordings and videos.

TUNE UP PHILLY STUDENTS COME FULL CIRCLE

Now in its 12th season, Tune Up Philly (TUP) has reached an exciting inflection point: students who began in the program’s early years are now pursuing music in ensembles throughout the city and are excited to give back. This season has provided several opportunities for TUP alumni to come back to the program and participate in its success in new ways, helping with the logistics of the concerts and inspiring current students.

Divine Epps, who began playing cello through Tune Up Philly at People for People Charter School in the 2011 school year, recently graduated and will be a student at Temple University. Divine joined TUP students at the 2022 PYO Music Institute Showcase, TUP’s first in-person performance in two years, to provide logistical support for the performance and emotional support and encouragement for current students’ first in-person concert.

At Tune Up Philly’s 12th Annual Festival Concert, five TUP alumni served as backstage helpers, stage crew, and role models to the younger students. Their support and connection provided encouragement to the students. We’re excited to see current TUP students follow in our alumni’s footsteps!

“having older PMAY students as interns has a positive impact on younger students of color. Seeing older students who look like themselves in leadership positions reinforces their self-esteem and motivation.”

Collaboration Builds Community Across PYO Music Institute: Introduction to Conducting & Cellobration

While each ensemble at PYOMI develops its own unique identity with a strong sense of community, we are excited about ways to deepen community across program divisions.

The 2021-2022 season brought several opportunities for cross-ensemble collaboration.

“This year, a conducting class was offered to students, and that class has shown me how to be an even stronger and more confident leader.” – PYAO cellist

INTRODUCTION TO CONDUCTING DEVELOPS NEW PERSPECTIVES FOR PYO, PYAO AND YMDO STUDENTS

This season, PYAO Director Rosalind Erwin offered an eight-week Introduction to Conducting course for orchestra students in PYO, PYAO, and YMDO. The inaugural course took place between rehearsals in the Primavera Room, our newly renovated third floor rehearsal space, and was designed to introduce young musicians to the conductor’s podium as they explored the skills required for effective musical communication.

Each session, students conducted a small ensemble of their colleagues in varied repertoire requiring specific technical and musical skills. Repertoire included examples from Bach, Mozart, Schubert,

Rimsky-Korsakov, Stravinsky, and Copland. The course culminated in a mini recital in week eight and was so successful that Maestra Erwin offered Introduction to Conducting Part II during the second semester for students to build on their skills.

Students not only learned skills in conducting but also deepened their skills as part of the ensembles. Maestra Erwin remarked, “the course improved [students’] attention while in orchestra, affected each young person’s eye/hand coordination, impacted their rhythmic understanding, and helped develop numerous students’ sense of self confidence.” Thank you for your support that allows us to provide these valuable experiences!

A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION OF LEGACY

CELLOBRATION BRINGS CELLISTS TOGETHER

In April 2022, Cellobration welcomed both students from across the Institute and professional cellists for an evening of music-making and fun. Throughout the evening, students from every ensemble met new friends and bonded over a common instrument.

Students played in a cello choir, took part in cello-themed games, won door prizes, and connected over pizza. Cellobration repertoire ranged from “Nimrod” from Elgar’s Enigma Variations to the Ukrainian National Anthem to Joplin’s “The Entertainer.” It was heart-warming to see older students share a stand with younger ones and help them navigate the joys of sightreading new music.

Eighth grade cellist Kealia Grace Smith played a special role in building community this season, both at PYOMI and in our broader community. After the invasion of Ukraine in February, Kealia composed and recorded her own four-part cello arrangement of the Ukrainian national anthem. She recorded herself performing the piece at the New Jersey shore and shared it with the goal of encouraging donations for Ukrainian refugees.

She was a guest on many local news shows and performed live on Good Day Philadelphia. Kealia shared the score with fellow cellists at PYOMI, who were able to rehearse and perform the anthem during Cellobration.

The event—which included fine art, dining, music, and dancing—raised over $275,000, a highwater mark, for our Tune Up Philly program and financial aid fund. Thank you for helping to make this event an outstanding success!

Facilitating Connection: Tune Up Philly Meets the Orchestra

Through Tune Up Philly (TUP), students from across Philadelphia’s underserved neighborhoods gain access to free, high-quality, after school music education, mentorship, and performance opportunities. This year 120 students participated in 678 hours of classes throughout the week in their schools and neighborhoods. Through musical instruction with their peers and a Teaching Artist mentor, Tune Up Philly students develop skills like goalsetting, teamwork, and personal confidence—all which support their longterm success.

Throughout the spring, TUP students from each of our nine partner sites were invited to visit St. Patrick Hall for other PYOMI orchestral ensemble rehearsals. We were thrilled to be able to host TUP students in our recently renovated Primavera Room, a rehearsal hall on the third floor of St. Patrick Hall which is capable of live-streaming events that take place in the main first-floor hall.

Each visit began with improvisation and jamming between Tune Up Philly students and faculty members. From there, students observed the Young Musicians Debut Orchestra, Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra, or Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (depending on the date and time) via livestream, with live commentary from Director Paul Smith. Finally, students visited the rehearsal downstairs in St. Patrick’s main rehearsal hall, where they were greeted by older PYOMI students, participated in a musical scavenger hunt to identify instruments and sections of the orchestra, and enjoyed listening to the ensemble rehearse.

Because all but one of our TUP sites is limited to one instrument or instrument family, this opportunity served as the first experience of a full symphony orchestra for many students. Hearing a live orchestra—complete with strings, winds, brass, and percussion—is a remarkable experience for a young child, and these opportunities provided context for our TUP students about the instruments and music they are learning. They also served to inspire students about possible pathways in music.

PERCUSSION PERSPECTIVES

Percussionist and PMAY Artist Sydney Vance developed a presentation for TUP students to share about her role as a percussionist in the Young Musicians Debut Orchestra (YMDO). In between TUP and YMDO’s annual festival concerts, which occur on the same afternoon at Temple’s Performing Arts Center, she demonstrated for Tune Up Philly students the instruments that would be used in YMDO’s repertoire that afternoon.

“PYO Music Institute, Maestro Bean, Maestro Scaglione, Maestra Segal, and Mr. Bailey have changed my music life and my life! If I can give back and impact just one artist as I have been impacted by the support and guidance of PYOMI, that would be a blessing to me.”

- Sydney Vance, percussion, YMDO

A Bold Vision for the Future

Throughout the 2021-2022 season, PYO Music Institute’s Board of Trustees— together with staff, faculty, and an external consultant—worked on a bold strategic vision for the next five years. We are immensely grateful for your support in helping to lay the foundation for this exciting new phase at the PYO Music Institute and look forward to your continued involvement as we grow.

As we expand on our rich past and track record of success, our strategic plan aims to advance our impact and grow our reach during a time of unprecedented youth need. Throughout this planning process, our core purpose and values compelled us to think expansively about how PYO Music Institute could rise to respond to the extraordinary circumstances of today yet remain relevant and sustainable well into the future.

The result is a vision of organizational growth, excellence, and connection where more lives and communities benefit from PYOMI’s mission. As you join us in imagining PYOMI in 2027 and beyond, we invite you to picture:

• Over 1,000 diverse students participating in transformative musical opportunities, including as part of our two new programs, Jazz Orchestra and Symphonic Band, our new Prysm Strings level, Prysm Prep, and the coming expansion of our tuition-free Tune Up Philly program.

• A vibrant, youth centered PYO Music Institute Campus in Center City Philadelphia that supports expanded programming and acts as a gathering place for students, ensembles, and communities from across the region.

• A PYOMI that serves as an interactive hub: one that connects and inspires students and neighborhoods through musical experiences and operates

as a “facilitator” to bring together a collaborative network of music educators and mission-aligned partners for greater youth impact.

• Continued and expanded youth opportunities worthy of PYOMI’s reputation as the region’s premiere youth orchestra organization, including reestablishing ensemble tours, performing in world-class professional venues, and piloting enriching summer programs for our ensembles.

Thank you for being part of the PYO Music Institute family of supporters!

Benefactor ($5,000 and Above)

Joan and Will Abele

Joan Carter and John Aglialoro

Julie Bailey

Drs. Lydia Ogden and James W. Buehler

Robert and Darlene Cavalier

Anne Callahan and Charles Croce

Robert T. Foley

Drs. Robert Day and Trude Haecker Harry and Louise Hill Sarah and Zachary Johns, Esq. James and Susan Matour

Patricia Wellenbach and Lawrence McMichael David R. McShane

Denise Houghton and David Michie Mark Nicoletti

Susan E.T. Petrone

Robert and Heather Pick Louis Scaglione  Trang and Wayne Schuh

Alice and Walter Strine, Esq. Svetlana Belotserkovskiy and Richard Yien

Guarantor ($2,500 to $4,999)

Dominic and Debra Caglioti Kathy and Frank Dilenschneider

Dr. and Mrs. Joseph DiMauro Dorothy and Frank Giordano Joni and Elie Antar David S. and Hyesang Kim Katie Law William and Michele Lloyd Terrence and Elizabeth McCabe Sandra Muller

Dr. Kenneth Blank and Donna Murasko Carl and Christina Primavera Leslie and Frank Skilton Ernest and Geraldine Smith Denise Valmé-Lundy, Esq.

Patron ($1,000 to $2,499)

Howard Aaronson George Awad Patrick Bailey

Willo Carey and Peter A. Benoliel Kai-Zu Chi and Ulrich Boeckheler Colleen Law and David Borden

Kathleen Bruno

G. Theodore and Nancie W. Burkett

Yan Lin and Cailong Chen

Steve and Sue Cheng

Elizabeth Kingsley Pitcairn

Joseph and Anne Del Raso James and Barbara Dunigan Walt Dunlap

Mark J. Fanelli

Garret A. Fitzgerald

Itzhak and Claudine Gartenberg

Penelope P. Harris Matias Tarnopolsky and Birgit Hottenrott Jane Koh Helen Ro and Jinhee Kwak Jessica Lee

*List represents gifts between 9/1/21 and 8/31/22.

Dr. Robert and Margarete Marvin

Liesl Henderson and Jordan S. Mersky

Lee Paynter

Denise Shirrell and Joseph Petko

Edward and Michele Plachter

Maureen and William Quinn Selma Savitz

Dianne Semingson

Michele Markel Tornetta Oscar and Michele Turner

Dr. Nick Jones and Ms. Yuri Uchiumi Andy and Debbie Webster Pamela Patton and Eric White

Donor ($500 to $999)

Mary and Robert Ballard, Jr. David and Tish Boath David and Pamela Dembe

Helen Eaton

Rosalind Erwin and David Schneider Mark Gisi Matthew and Michelle Halpern

Drs. Thomas and Debra Harder

Richard Hwang

Christine V. Kanter

Herold and Gisela Klein Sylvia Kreithen David Marion Amy McCole H. Graham and Susan McDonald Elizabeth P. McLean Michael Hartung and Ana Eiras Anthony Prisk Hong Yu and Zhigang Qi Henry and Yumi Scott David and Jeannette Segal Lisa and Greg Warshaw Brian Wormley

Contributor ($250 to $499)

Dan Berkowitz and Christine Witkowski Holly L. Blake Geraldine Rice and Paul Bryan James and Ji Eun Cho Elizabeth Cisar Carole Gurkaynak

Mandi Jo and David Hanneke

Joanne and Walter Jenkins, Esqs. Commander Michael and Terez Kearney

Kenneth and Mary Louise Kubacki Carol and David Levin

Michael and Rachael Ludwig

Richard Mailman

John and Nathalie May A. W. McMichael

Margaret and William Metz Margarita Montanaro

James and Pamela Murray

Fred W. Oster

Suzanne Root Caroline Walsh and Gregory Rosenberg

Barry M. Slaff Karen Stahl

David and Peggy Stedman

Dr. Janet D Steinberg, O.D. Jeanne Vissa Lishan Wu Peng Ye

Friend (Up to $249)

Anonymous

Anonymous

Gerald Alexander Henry and Eunice Alexander Barbara Amidon

Nanette Angelone

John L. Baji

Dagny Moll Barone

Robin and Nancy Becker

David and Cynthia Beekley David and Barbara Benglian Frances Berkman

Robert and Jayne Beverly

Barbara and John Blickensderfer Stephen and Judith Blubaugh

Diane Borrowman

Linda Bowker

Daniel and Kathleen Breslin Laura A. Buckwald

Thomas and Katherine Burke Bob and Kathy Carlson

Dr. and Mrs. David and Mavis Cauffman

Patricia Chieffo

Laryssa Mykyta and Daniel Chomsky Charlene Clarke

Patrick Connor

David Cook

Charles Coyne

Stephen and Elaine Crane Peter S. Cressman

Ann T. Csink

Peter and Dore Dabback

Vita DeBellis

Timothy Derr

Timothy J. Desantis

Dave and Kathy Dinella

Jay Donner

Ru-jing Chang and Ren Egawa

Kathleen Feeley Einspanier

Margaret M. Farmar

Theodore Freeman

Evan and Carol Frey

Martha H. Friedman

Felim Gately

Helen Liu Gerhold

Elizabeth Gillman

Barbara Govatos

Jeffrey and Kristine Grabell

Patricia Green

Elizabeth Hainen dePeters

Daphne and Jesse Hill

William and Karen Hoffman

William and Lisa Hoffman

Rhonda Horn

Freeman Hwang

Wolfgang Jaeger

Eleanor and Ronald James

Debra Jih

Frederick Johnson

Beverly Joseph

Richard and Sandy Josephs

Helen Kang

James and Margaret Keil

Christopher and Christina Kim

Leah Roszkowski and Jacob Kime

Denise Kinney

Amy Kitzen

Marlena Robinson Kleit

Michael and Cora Klena

Janice Kopple

Virginia T. Lam

Regina Lamptey

John Barry Lane

Ermine Laud-Hammond

D. William Layton

Sandra Geiger and David Leavy

Nitzan and Avigail Lebovic

Judge Samuel Lehrer

Kip and Linda Levie

Herbert M. Light

Wesley and Stephanie Lim

Gui-Shuang Ying and Qin Lin

Yun Bai and Ming Liu

William A. Loeb

Celestial F. Loscalzo

Chiwei Ma

William J. MacKnight

Jerome and Andrea Mahoney

Rosemarie Marovich

Emil Marzullo

Margaret Matlack

James E McClelland

Joann and Bernard McCullagh

Cynthia and John McDonald

Joel Edelstein and Elizabeth McKinstry

Robert and Theresa McLaren

Elizabeth Ray McLean

Florri Middleman

Dr. Barbara Mitnick

Shelly Mohr

Amy Oshiro and Ricardo Morales

Robert and Margaret Morris

Jim Mundy

Immanuel Mykyta-Chomsky

Saman and Susanna Nazarian

Kristin Nelson

Emily E. Nicholl

Hirono Oka

Anthony and Lisa Orlando

Sameer Gaikwad and Runali Patel

Frank A. Pepe

Christopher Perron

Michael and Kelly Perron

Susan Pizzica

Leonard Podolin

Fei Han and Xiyan Ren

John and Kim Richards

Drs. Catherine Tuite and Eric Rosenberg

Dale and Mary Hutchins Rosin

Michael Foster Roth

Rodman S. Rothermel

Paula J. Rothman

Dr. Ellier Russ

Ralph and Linda Sauer

Robert and Judith Schachner

Craig and Anita Schwartz

Fredda Segal

Benjamin Sheridan

Gene and Diana Shkolnikov

Susan G. Shor

Shelley Showers

Eero Simoncelli

John Skrypek

David S. Smith

Gail Smith

Rheta R. Smith

Mark and Maria Sobolewski

Susan Bleiman-Soll and Adam Soll

Robert and Robin Spencer

Vijay and Carolyn Srinivasan Mark and Ann Steinberger

Brian Stemetzki

Honorable Patricia Tate Stewart

Dr. Gary and Regina Stopyra

Kelly and Don Suh

David and Sara Tabby

Jun Li and Zhen Tan

The Estate of Elizabeth Brady

Wen Tian and Leny Tirtasaputra

Lorelei Toombs

Carolina Topolewski

Jessica Tremblay

Sybil Vernon

David and Kathleen Vito

Dr. Deborah R. Volker

Pingjia Li and Xiaohai Wang

Aimee Kahan and Joshua Waxman

Nancy A. Weatherbee

Mark and Lesley Weber

Abby Phillipson and David Weiner

Moureen Wenik

George and Chantal Westby

Catherine Harper and Roy Winnick

Zhucheng Yang and Jian Wu

Edward Yarwood

Leonard A. Zapf

Ye Zhang

Chen Lu and Wei Zhou George Zolot

Foundations

Allen Hilles Fund

Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Christian R. & Mary F. Lindback Foundation

Davidson Family Trust

Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation

Howell Lockhart Seiple Trust

J. Leon Lockard Charitable Trust

Leroy Kean Family Foundation

McGinley Family Foundation

Morelli Family Charitable Fund

Nathan Speare Foundation

Philadelphia Music and Arts Festival

Presser Foundation

Psalm 103 Foundation

Rosenlund Family Foundation

Roses Family Charitable Fund

Seed the Dream Foundation

The Carter A. Pottash Family Charitable Fund

The Gelman-Sheehan Foundation

The Horner Foundation

The Huston Foundation

The Maguire Foundation

The McLean Contributionship

The Seattle Foundation

William Penn Foundation

Corporations/Organizations/Advertisers

Amazon Smile

Bachrach Photography

Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University

Citizens Bank

Cleveland Institute of Music

Comcast Corporation

Cupersmith, Wilensky, Stempler and Co.

David Michie Violins, LLC

DDP Roofing Services, Inc.

Dominion Energy Drexel University

Eastman School of Music

Fulton Bank

GlaxoSmithKline Foundation

Global Indemnity Group Services, LLC

Hartt School of Music

Intel Foundation

J.W. Pepper and Son, Inc.

Jacobs Music Company

Johnson and Johnson Family of Companies

Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg, LLP

Liberty Mutual Insurance

Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC

Merck Foundation

Meridian Bank

Microsoft Morgan Stanley Gift Fund

Network for Good

PA Partners for Education, LLC

Philadelphia International Music Festival

PNC Bank

Republic Bank

Shenandoah Conservatory

Standard Digital Imaging, Inc.

Studio Incamminati

Temple University Boyer College of Music

The Haverford Trust Company

The Philly POPS

The Union League of Philadelphia

Tri-County Concerts Association, Inc.

UHS of Delaware/Pennsylvania

Waynecastle Properties, LLC

Well Fargo Advisors

WRTI-FM

WSFS CARES Foundation

Government

Board of Trustees

Lydia Ogden, PhD, Chair

Robert Pick, Vice Chair

Christopher Rinaldi, Treasurer

Denise Valme-Lundy, Secretary

Kenneth Blank, PhD

Robert Day, MD

Frank Dilenschneider

Frank Giordano

Katie Law

David R. McShane

David Michie Lee Paynter

Carl Primavera, Esq.

Wayne Schuh

W. Matthew Skilton

Walter Strine, Esq.

Rick Touhill

PHILLY

“It’s an incredible experience – it gives me a chance to be a part of a large ensemble. Ever since my first day I couldn’t believe how huge the sound is and the professionalism with complete synchronization with the conductor. I did PYAO before PYO and you get to remain in the organization for quite a few years and see so much growth in others and in yourself.” - Ahn Ngo, piano, PYO