Mission
 
The mission of the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic String Ensemble is to educate, train, and develop students to excel in music as a career or a lifelong avocation.

Developing the musicianship of all our students is the foundation of our curriculum. We believe that the lessons and qualities derived from that work—the self-discipline needed for excellence, the empathy required of music making and the openness and inquisitiveness essential to creativity—are critical to achievement in any pursuit, musical or otherwise; and that music is a powerful catalyst for personal growth, which is central to any human experience.

Our orchestras are distinctly contemporary in their content and approach, and cover the principal musical movements of our time. Through a course of scholarly and practical learning experiences integrating performance and student leadership, our curriculum covers a variety of influential styles in orchestral music.

Objectives

• To define and refine the individual talents of our students by providing a broad range of musical experiences offered by a distinguished staff, and to prepare them for careers in music that reflect the diversity of expression and opportunities that define music today.

• To encourage our students to appreciate and apply music's enormous force for the enrichment of society and intercultural understanding.

• To cultivate a supportive learning environment by actively promoting a climate of respect for personal differences, by offering a range of activities to support the needs of the student musicians who come to us from many different music backgrounds.

• To provide an environment in which all know that they are full and valued members of the orchestra.

• To value ethical behavior in all aspects of personal and musical life by establishing an ensemble that values integrity in all relationships.

• To retain our leadership position in music education and to ensure that our curriculum remains relevant by pledging to value organizational freedom and innovation.

Philosophy

The Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra was founded on two revolutionary ideas: that musicianship could be taught through the music of the time; and that our students need practical, professional skills for successful lives with music, either as professional or dilettante musicians.  While our philosophy has not changed since our creation, the music around us has, which requires that we evolve with it and develop new initiatives to reach and influence an ever-widening audience.