April 15, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTLAND YOUTH PHILHARMONIC
WINS ‘EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC EDUCATION’ AWARD

(PORTLAND, Ore.) –The Portland Youth Philharmonic – the nation’s first established youth orchestra – is the 2010 recipient of the Oregon Symphony’s Patty Vemer Excellence in Music Education Award, the orchestra announced today.

PYP Music Director David Hattner will accept the award at an onstage presentation during the Oregon Symphony’s Apr. 25 concert in downtown Portland’s Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Oregon Symphony Music Director Carlos Kalmar will present his PYP counterpart, Hattner, with a $1,000 prize to be used for the PYP’s music-education work.

“PYP believes every child deserves daily, quality music education,” said PYP Executive Director Diane Syrcle, ”and everything we do – from advocacy to outreach to our performing ensembles – reflects that mission. It gives us great pleasure to have our colleagues at the Oregon Symphony recognize this important work.”

Created in memory of Patty Vemer, an inspirational leader and director of music education at the Oregon Symphony for more than 13 years, the award honors those who have made significant contributions to music education and their community and who have served as an inspiration to their students.

“The PYP’s distinguished history of excellence in education is renowned, for many reasons,” said Monica Hayes, the Oregon Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement Program director. “Not only do the young musicians and artistic staff of the PYP provide quality music experiences for their audiences, but they also offer a peer mentor program and encourage students to participate in their school orchestras, thus building community. By requiring participation in music theory classes they are preparing knowledgeable musicians.”

For the past 14 years, the Oregon Symphony has recognized excellence in music education with the Patty Vemer Award. Recent honorees have included Donna Kagan, choir director at West Linn’s Stafford Primary School, and Doree S. Jarboe, choral director at Portland’s Grant High School.

This is the first year that the Patty Vemer Award has gone to an organization, rather than an individual. The Portland Youth Philharmonic has collaborated with the Oregon Symphony on a number of side-by-side concerts over the years, among them the annual season-opening outdoor concert at downtown Portland’s Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

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CONTACT:
Carl Herko
Vice President, Media & Public Relations
(503) 416-6347
cherko@orsymphony.org