USM Youth Ensembles

About the Artist

The current 2015-2016 artistic season marks the 19th season since the USM School of Music assumed management of the Portland Youth Ensembles. We are honored to acknowledge the support by Macy's of these vital ensembles, which serve talented young musicians throughout the region.

The Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra is made up of more than 70 musicians, ranging in age from 11 to 18. Established in 1942, the PYSO has grown into a pre-professional program of high caliber, which challenges its members with a diverse repertory of orchestral literature. PYSO is conducted by USM Professor Robert Lehmann.

The Portland Youth Wind Ensemble began out of a need in the greater Portland area for a select wind ensemble for talented young wind players. It is dedicated to refining concert techniques through a sophisticated repertoire of wind and band literature. The principal chair musicians are also members of PYSO. It is conducted by USM Professor Peter Martin. Guest conductor for the 2016 Spring season is John P. Morneau.

The Portland Youth Junior Orchestra is an intermediate-level string orchestra, which has as its primary goal to train its players to move into the PYSO. It stresses the building of solid fundamental orchestral skills, improvement in sight-readiing ability, and presents members with challenging and varied repertory. PYJO is conducted by USM School of Music Faculty, Ferdinand Liva.

The Portland Young People's String Consort gives less advanced string players training for the PYJO, a chance to become familiar with playing in an ensemble situation, following a conductor, and gaining formal concert experience. Established in 1979, the PYPSC offers adjunct support to string programs in Maine schools. PYPSC is conducted by Portland Symphony cellist Deborah Dabczynski.

Southern Maine Children's Choir is a choir of treble voices grades 4 - 12, who have an interest in and love of singing, and are able to sing on pitch with a pleasant tone quality, maintain their own part when singing in harmony, and have a well-developed tonal memory. Previous experience singing in a choir is preferred. Prospective members do not have to know how to read music in order to join. The choir is under the direction of Nicolas Alberto Dosman.

Southern Maine Youth Chorale is comprised of singers grades 7-12, selected through an audition and voice screening process. Members possess a variety of attributes such as talent, musicianship, vocal skill, singing experience, and a serious interest in choral music. The Youth Chorale is directed by Rebecca DeWan.