Pearland Youth Orchestra

Join the Pearland Youth Orchestra

The Pearland Youth Orchestra provides a high-quality string performance experience for promising young musicians in the Pearland area and enhances the lives of student musicians by providing dynamic musical experiences, fostering collaboration, instilling personal responsibility, and cultivating confidence through the pursuit of artistic excellence.

The Pearland Youth Orchestra instruments groups include violin, viola, cello, and double bass, all of which are also offered as private lesson options at Allegro.

Apply your skills

Three branches of orchestra are available to students in 5th grade through high school. The Pearland Youth Orchestra Preparatory Orchestra, String Orchestra, and Chamber Ensemble perform a Winter Concert, Summer Concert, and at select special events and festivals. Students must be in private lessons and remain in private lessons while performing with the orchestra.

There are many benefits to performing with the Pearland Youth Orchestra. Members learn to work together to accomplish a shared task while developing leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and applying what they have learned in lessons through unique and dynamic performance opportunities under the tutelage of our award-winning conductors. Additionally, students progress at a faster rate than with private lessons alone and maintain interest in their instrument longer through this combination. Contact the academy for audition dates.

Orchestra Levels

The Preparatory Orchestra

Conducted by Mr. Sam Brady, the Prep Orchestra provides entry-level string players with the skills they will need to succeed in any orchestra or future ensemble. Coupled with private lessons, entry-level string players can expect their ear, technique, and musicianship to grow exponentially.

The String Orchestra

Conducted by Ms. Grace Lewis & Mr. Sam Brady, the String Orchestra provides intermediate to advanced string players with valuable rehearsal and performance skills that will challenge and shape both their musicianship and leadership while allowing a transformative experience of both personal and musical growth to take place.

Chamber Strings Ensemble

Conducted by Ms. Grace Lewis and Mr. Sam Brady, the Chamber Ensemble allows expanded growth opportunities for advanced players to explore complex phrasing, dynamics, and interpretation, while deepening their connection to the music.

Orchestra Camp

Pearland Youth Orchestra hosts an orchestra camp each summer under the direction of our award- winning conductors and special guests. The orchestra camp includes conducting… An experience not to be missed!

Audition Requirements

PYO auditions are held each August and January or by private audition throughout the year. Auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length. String players can audition for the Preparatory Orchestra, String Orchestra, or String Orchestra + Chamber Ensemble. A good way to know which branch your string players should audition for is to use their experience and book level. String players with a year of experience and at the end of Book 1 or the Start of Book 2 of the Suzuki or Essential Elements series should consider auditioning for the Preparatory Orchestra. String players in Book 3 or higher of Suzuki or Essential Elements with 3 or more years of experience should consider auditioning for the String Orchestra or String Orchestra + Chamber Ensemble. Audition material varies for each branch. The following is what to prepare for auditions:

Preparatory Orchestra

String Orchestra & Chamber Ensemble

Joining the Chamber Strings Ensemble is by conductor invitation only.

Rehearsals

Location

Both orchestras rehearse at Peace Church, located at:

2849 Miller Ranch Rd ste 503 Pearland, TX 77584

Tuition

Tuition is $21.00 per rehearsal and is billed monthly on the 1st of the month. All branches of Orchestra rehearse during the school year and attend PYO Orchestra Camp in the summer.

Orchestra Camp

Pearland Youth Orchestra hosts an orchestra camp each summer under the direction of our award- winning conductors and special guests. The camp includes a conducting seminar, technique masterclasses, music theory, and ensemble performance with guidance tailored to their experience level. Throughout the week, campers take part in rehearsals, sectional coaching, and collaborative activities that encourage musical growth, teamwork, and confidence. The camp concludes with a performance and reception.

The Pearland Youra Summer Orchestra Camp offers young musicians the opportunity to refine their skills in a supportive and engaging environment. Participants receive focused instruction in instrumental technique, music theory, and ensemble performance with guidance tailored to their experience level. Throughout the week, campers take part in rehearsals, sectional coaching, and collaborative activities that encourage musical growth, teamwork, and confidence on stage. The camp concludes with a performance showcasing the progress and accomplishments of the campers! String players with at least one year of experience are encouraged to join.

An experience not to be missed!

The String Orchestra & Chamber Ensemble

The String Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble is led by Ms. Grace Lewis and Mr. Sam Brady

Ms. Grace, Pearland Youth Orchestra Conductor

Ms. Grace is an award-winning conductor who serves as Director of Orchestras at G.W. Carver Magnet High School, on the advisory board of the International Society of Bassists, and performs as a freelance artist with ensembles like the Brazosport Symphony, the Symphony of Southeast Texas, and the Houston Ballet Orchestra. Ms. Grace holds a M.M. in Instrumental Performance from the University of Houston and a B.M. in Instrumental Performance from Oklahoma City University. Interviews with Ms. Grace can be heard on episodes of Jason Heath’s Contrabass Conversations podcast as well as James Kwon Lee’s JKL Podcast. Ms. Grace is the recipient of the Houston Symphony Excellence in Music Education award 2025, highlighting her extensive contributions to music education in the Houston area.

Mr. Sam, Pearland Youth Orchestra Conductor

Mr. Sam is a sought-after conductor currently based out of Houston, Texas. He served as the assistant conductor to the Oklahoma City University Symphony Orchestra and the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, and as an apprentice conductor with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Throughout his career, Mr. Sam has worked with a number of ensembles, including the Vita Musica Ensemble, Oklahoma City University Symphony Orchestra, Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, Hampton Roads Philharmonic, Christopher Newport University Wind Ensemble, and many others. He has also served as Assistant Music Director for OCU’s award-winning production of Hansel und Gretel and Rent. His principal conducting teachers include Jeffery Grogan, Alexander Mickelthewate, and Matthew Mailman. In addition to conducting, Mr. Sam is also an avid pianist and has been studying piano since the age of seven. Within his teaching philosophy, he believes that musical engagement should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, and strives to inspire students to explore their connection with music. Mr. Sam holds a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Oklahoma City University and a Bachelor of Music Performance from Christopher Newport University.