July 2024 Update

Dear PYO Community, 

We hope you are taking advantage of our respite from our latest heat wave! We’d like to take this time to update you with some important news from the orchestra about our upcoming season. There are several changes that will affect everyone, so please read carefully! 

Rehearsal and Concert Calendar. Please see the attached calendar to block out rehearsal and concert dates! We will continue to rehearse at Stroudsburg Junior High (and the Middle School occasionally) and perform concerts at East Stroudsburg University.

Orchestra Changes. We are returning to 2 orchestras instead of 3. PJSO and PCSO will merge and rehearse on Tuesdays from 6-7 PM. PYO rehearsals will remain on Thursdays from 6-7:30 PM.

Concert Changes. We will be performing our concerts on Saturday evenings instead of Sunday afternoons for the 24-25 season. We’re aware that other activities may conflict, so please note the concert schedule on the season calendar to block out those dates.

Membership Changes. In order to make sure students are progressing throughout the season, all strings students must now commit to an entire year of the PYO and not individual sessions. Band students are expected to participate in the PYO for the last 2/3 of the season, which will allow them to be a part of fall marching band at their school and begin rehearsing with the PYO after our first concert.

Tuition Changes and Early Registration Incentives. The tuition for the 24-25 season will increase slightly. PYO tuition will increase from $405 per year to $450 for strings students, while tuition for band musicians will increase from $270 per year to $300. PJSO tuition will increase from $330 per year to $360. In order to ease the burden of higher tuition, we are offering an early registration discount of our 23-24 tuition for anyone who registers by August 15. For example, a PYO student who registers by August 15th will pay $405 for the season instead of the new tuition rate of $450. Here is the registration form for those who want to get a jump on things.

New Chamber Music Program. We are exploring the establishment of a chamber music program for highly motivated experienced strings students. New to chamber music? Check out this video to see some PYO students in action. There will be extra rehearsal expectations and tuition expenses associated with this program. Please let us know if you are interested in participating!

Please reach out with any questions and stay cool!

Sincerely

PYO Board of Directors