2025-2026 Osher Youth Ensembles Pick-Up Auditions: Wednesday, August 27th
PYPSC/PYJO/PYSO Auditions: 5-8pm
Audition requirements at the bottom of this page.
History of the Osher Youth Ensemble
On March 22, 1942, the first rehearsal of the 65-member Student Philharmonic Orchestra, was held at the Chestnut Street Church. That orchestra was created, and conducted for 32 years, by Clinton W. Graffam Jr., a Portland Symphony Orchestra oboist, and whose father was one of the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s founders. The first concert by the Student Philharmonic was given on the following May 19 at Portland City Hall Auditorium before an audience of 1,200. The concert was sponsored as a benefit for the War Service Department by the Maine Federation of Music Clubs. In place of an admission fee, concert-goers donated sheet music and phonograph records, which were to be distributed to members of the Armed Forces throughout Maine.
The orchestra eventually became known as the Junior Symphony, then the Portland Symphony Youth Orchestra—a part of the PSO’s educational and community outreach. In 1979-80 two more youth groups were added to the program, The Portland Youth Wind Ensemble and Portland Young People’s String Consort. In 1996-97 all three youth ensembles came under the administration of the School of Music of the University of Southern Maine (then called the Music Department).
The Osher School of Music is proud to carry on the tradition of offering high-quality performance opportunities for middle and high school students from around the region and is grateful to the parents, schools, and educators who help to make these opportunities possible.
Our Youth Ensembles
Portland Youth Wind Ensemble (PYWE)
conducted by Dr. William Kinne, Director of Bands, Osher School of Music at USM.
The Portland Youth Wind Ensemble is an auditioned wind ensemble of outstanding woodwind, brass, and percussion players in grades 8–12. It is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people by refining both technique and artistic expression through a varied repertoire of music. Selected members are invited to also join PYSO, the Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Weekly rehearsals during the school year are Wednesdays from 5:45-7:15 p.m. in Corthell Hall on the USM Gorham campus.
Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra (PYSO)
conducted by Dr. Robert Lehmann, Director of Strings, Osher School of Music at USM.
The Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra (PYSO) is made up of over 70 musicians in grades 8–12. Established in 1942, the PYSO has grown into a pre-professional program of high caliber which challenges its members with a diverse repertory of choice symphonic literature.
Weekly rehearsals during the academic year are Wednesdays from 5:45-9 p.m.
In 2025, in addition to the usual Youth Ensembles concerts, PYSO will be performing a side-by-side Discovery Concert with the Portland Symphony Orchestra at Merrill Auditorium on Sunday, April 6, 2025, with a rehearsal from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the 2:30 p.m. concert.
Portland Youth Junior Orchestra (PYJO)
conducted by Hanna Flewelling
The Portland Youth Junior Orchestra (PYJO) is an intermediate-level string orchestra, which has as its primary goal to train players to move into the PYSO. It stresses the building of solid fundamental orchestral skills, improvement in sight-reading ability, and presents members with challenging and varied repertory.
Weekly rehearsals during the academic year are Wednesdays from 5:45-7:15 p.m.
Portland Young Peoples’ String Consort (PYPSC)
conducted by Linda Vaillancourt
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, following a conductor, and gaining formal performance experience. Established in 1979, the PYPSC offers adjunct support to string programs in Maine schools
Weekly rehearsals during the academic year are Wednesdays from 5:45-7:15 p.m.
Audition Requirements
For Osher Youth Ensemble Members
Membership Dues
The annual membership cost is $350 for each member. There is a fee reduction for families with more than one participant. Your dues support the mission and operations of the Youth Ensembles. Dues should be paid in full by the first rehearsal.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings between 5:45–7:15 p.m. in the new Crewe Center for the Arts on the USM Portland Campus during the school year. Students invited to play in PYSO (Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra) rehearse from 5:45 until 9:00 p.m. We do not rehearse on common school vacation weeks. Please see the full 2025-2026 season schedule above, and note the important dates below.
Important Dates: Concerts, Immersion Day, Auditions.
- Saturday, September 6, 2025 at the Crewe Center for the Arts (Immersion Day: all ensembles required to attend)
- Saturday, September 13, 2025 at South Portland High School, PYSO only, Classic Rock Orchestra Pops Concert
- Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Merrill Auditorium, Fall Concert
- Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at South Portland High School, PYSO only, Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra Concert
- Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Crewe Center for the Arts, Concerto Competition Auditions (optional)
- Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at Merrill Auditorium, Spring Concert
- Saturday, April 18, 2026 at South Portland High School, OSOM Orchestra/Choral and Concerto Competition Concert (PYSO only)
- Tuesday-Thursday, May 19-21, 2026 at the Crewe Center for the Arts, 2026-2027 Osher Youth Ensembles Audition
Parking and Transportation During Rehearsals
Beginning in August of 2023, the University implemented a new ‘PAY BY PLATE’ parking fee system for visitors to campus. In order to validate your parking, you must follow the directions on the signs at each lot. For more information, visit usm.maine.edu/parking-services. This must be taken care of at the time you park your vehicle, or you can do this in advance of arriving on campus. You may want to consider purchasing one of the discount passes available.
Parking details for the move to the Portland Campus will be posted late summer 2025.
Thank you for your interest in the
Osher School of Music Youth Ensembles.
For more information, email usm.music.youth@maine.edu or all (207) 780-5003.