PYCO

This afternoon we drove the ninety-some miles to Vancouver to Grand daughter Havela's concert with the Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra. Havelita plays with the 1st Violin section. PYCO is a step up from the group she played in last year, the Young String Ensemble. It was the Prelude Concert, the first one of the season.


Both the Young String Ensemble and the Wind Ensemble played first, then after intermission, Havela's group. They played "American Salute" by Horton Gould based on 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home;" "Prelude to Act I from Lohengrin" by Richard Wagner; and "Roman Carnival Overture" by Hector Berlioz.


Unfortunately, the Portland Youth Philharmonic Orchestra group sells videos of the concerts, so outside cameras are strictly verboten -- so I have no pictures! This is the oldest Youth Orchestra in America, founded in 1924. They seem to be very proud of the work they do with young musicians. The youngsters have to audition to be selected to participate and then must re-audition again every year.


After the concert, we took Daughter Dawn, Grandson Micah and Havela out to a nearby Mexican restaurant for dinner. (Grand-daughter Kyra and Todd were at a gathering of the church Junior High group.) Since Dawn has to be at work in the morning and the kids have school, we made it a fairly early night.