
ITALY CONCERT TOUR
JULY 2026

Every three years, PYPO packs up and takes its music to international audiences! Previous concert tours have included performances in Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, France, Italy, England, Belgium, Switzerland, and Ireland.
In the summer of 2026, PYPO is journeying to Italy! Learn all about our trip and how to tag along in the resources below. PYPO tours are open to all current Philharmonic and Intermezzo students, as well as recent alumni by invitation. Not a member of the PYPO family yet? Learn about how to join us here.
Registration for the Italy Concert Tour is open! Follow the link below to register as a traveler.
Italy Tour Overview
The tour begins with dinner in Parma, our first home base! Apart from Parma ham and Parmesan cheese, Parma is best known for the numerous monuments and art collections that recall its past as capital of the Duchy of Farnese. Correggio, the master of light and color, was born just east of Parma. Great music also flourished here: Verdi was born in Le Roncole, Toscanini in the province of Parma.
Lombardy Region
guided sightseeing | Museo dei Violini | first concert in Cremona


Tuscany Region
excursions to Bologna and Florence | second concert
For this portion of the trip we will stay in the Montecatini Terme area, which is one of Italy's most popular and elegant spa resorts. Though developed from the 18th century, most of the splendid neo-classical and art nouveau buildings that surround Montecatini's beautiful formal gardens date from the 1920s. We'll take day trips to Bologna, one of the oldest cities in Italy, and Florence to see sites such as the Medici Chapels and the Duomo.
Veneto Region
final concert | Verona, Vicenza, Venice | farewell dinner
Our last leg of the trip will include tours of the Teatro Olimpico, our final concert, and a full guided tour of Venice. The home base will be Vicenzia, where master architect, Andrea Palladio, was born. Many of the town's churches and villas bear his stamp. The town is best viewed from the Basilica di Monte Berico, which has panoramic views over the whole Po valley.


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What Time Should I Arrive for Rehearsals?Students should plan on arriving at rehearsal 15 minutes prior to the start of their rehearsal time to ensure they have plenty of time to get settled and warmed up before rehearsal begins. Check the rehearsal schedule for your ensemble’s rehearsal times! When students arrive, they should sign in at the check-in table before going to their rehearsal rooms. If a student does not check in and has not given prior notice of their absence, the primary contact for that student will receive a phone call from us.
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What Are Rehearsal Expectations?Students are responsible for learning their music prior to the first rehearsal so that rehearsal time can be spent on developing ensemble skills. Each musician is responsible for bringing their own music and a pencil to every rehearsal so directions from the conductor can be marked in. All members must assist in setting up and taking down chairs, music stands, and equipment at the beginning and end of every rehearsal. Musicians must give their full attention to anyone who is on the podium. No talking, playing of instruments, or cell phone use is allowed unless directed. For a full list of expectations, reference our Student Handbook.
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How Do I Put Together a Proper Binder for Music?Before the first rehearsal of each concert cycle, print out your assigned parts and place them in a black three-ring binder (we recommend the 1/2" black binders). If the piece of music has multiple pages, arrange the music in such a way that you will be able to flip the page without interrupting your playing too much. Each musician is responsible for bringing their own music to every rehearsal (even if they have a stand partner) so directions from the conductor can be marked in every part with a pencil.
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I Know My Musician Will be Absent for a Rehearsal. How Should I Notify You?All absences can be recorded with the “Anticipated Absence Form.” You can find this in the PYPO Member Portal or at this link: Anticipated Absence Form. Only two absences are permitted per concert cycle. You can read more about absences in the Student Handbook, which can also be found in the Member Portal.
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My Musician Has a Cell Phone. What is the Phone Policy?Cell phone use is not allowed during rehearsals or performances. Phones, smart watches, and all other electronic devices should be turned on silent during rehearsals and performances and left in the student’s case. If this rule is disregarded, staff members may collect and hold the phone until the end of the rehearsal or performance. Smart watches should be stored in cases and silenced during performances as well.
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What is the Dress Code for Concerts?CONCERT DRESS OPTION A Solid black short-sleeve or long-sleeve blouse (shoulder must be covered - no tank tops nor spaghetti straps) with solid black tailored dress pants or floor-length skirt (no leggings, jeans, jeggings nor short skirts) - OR - Solid black short-sleeve or long-sleeve floor-length dress (shoulders must be covered - no tank tops nor spaghetti straps) Plain sheer or black socks/tights (no colored or patterned legwear) Solid Black, closed-toe dress shoes (no sneakers, no sandals) CONCERT DRESS OPTION B Long sleeve black dress shirt Solid black dress pants (no pin stripes, no black jeans, etc.) Solid black socks (no colored patterns) Solid black dress shoes (no sneakers, no sandals)
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I want to enhance my musicians PYPO experience with private instruction, can you recommend any private teachers?Yes!! If you are interested in private instructions, please reach out to your ensemble director or pypostaff@gmail.com. We would love to connect you with private teachers in your area.
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Are There Any Restaurants or Coffee Shops Nearby I Could Go To During Rehearsal?Carnegie Coffee Company in Carnegie (7 minutes from Carlynton), and Fig Tree Coffee in Crafton (11 minutes away) are two favorites. See if you can spot another PYPO parent while you wait!
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How Can I Get to Know Other PYPO Parents?There are a lot of ways to meet other PYPO parents! At the parent meeting we’ll be sharing more about the events and coffee hours we’ll be hosting this year. You can also look out for volunteer opportunities at rehearsals and concerts, and plan to stay for the entirety of each concert to support fellow PYPO families.
Amanda Gorman
pypo alum
PYPO opened my eyes to a whole new “world” of music. The European tours really gave me a new appreciation for our audiences. The fact that these people from Germany, Austria, France, etc. would take the time out of their schedules to come see a group of musicians from America really meant a lot and changed my perspective on the world. It made me realize music really did transcend language and culture.

Highlights from the 2023 Ireland Tour
PYPO students and families toured Ireland in the summer of 2023. Highlights included stops in Belfast to see the Giants Causeway, explore Dunluce Castle, and perform at Elmwood Hall, Galway where we visited the National Famine Museum, toured the Cliffs of Moher, and performed at St. Nicholas Collegiate Church, and finally Dublin where we learned traditional dancing at Causey Farm and did our last performance at Christ Church.
I may have had the opportunity to travel to France and Italy at some point in my life as a generic tourist, but I never would have had the chance to actually PERFORM in those countries. We played some of the most amazing pieces in some of the most beautiful locations I have ever seen. We also had such a great opportunity to experience the culture, the food and all the sites- it was truly amazing and something I will never forget. Because of my experiences on tour, I decided to study abroad my Junior year in college.