American Youth Philharmonic

The American Youth Philharmonic® (AYP), conducted for over 20 seasons by Maestro Luis Haza, is a full symphonic orchestra consisting of the most accomplished young musicians in the area who perform demanding standard orchestral literature as well as newly composed works. The AYP hasreceived wide critical acclaim for its professional sound and mature interpretation in performancesatthe Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Constitution Hall, the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, George Mason University Center for the Arts, George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium; and in tours to the Aberdeen International Youth Festival (Scotland), British Festival of Youth Orchestras, Festival of Youth Orchestras (Chicago, Washington D.C.), the Spoleto Festival(South Carolina) and the International Rachmaninoff Festival (Russia).

In addition, AYP has made many special appearances. In March 2003, they performed for the World's Largest Concert, co-sponsored by Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and the Kennedy Center, which was broadcast by PBS and Armed Forces Network to more than eight million school teachers and students. They were also invited to participate in Washington D.C.'s Fete de la Musique, an internationally recognized music festival highlighting the artistic talents of area musicians. Since the fall of 2003 AYP has been the official youth orchestra in residence at George Mason University.

The AYP has collaborated with the Master Chorale of Washington, Virginia Ballet Company, Oratorio Society of Washington, Fairfax Choral Society, Reston Chorale, Washington Performing Arts Society and numerous renowned soloists, including pianist Horacio Gutierrez, trumpet virtuoso Arturo Sandoval, guitarist Manuel Barrueco, pianist Sara Wolfensohn, clarinettist Paquito D'Rivera and guest conductor, Leonard Slatkin.

The American Youth Philharmonic was selected as one of five orchestras across the country who attended the National Youth Orchestra Festival in Sarasota, Florida, June 21-28, 2000. Visit their website for more details! 1999 Philharmonic Alumni and members of the Symphonic Orchestra joined Philharmonic musicians to participate in this fantastic learning experience.

The National Youth Orchestra Festival, sponsored by the American Symphony Orchestra League and the Florida West Coast Symphony, selected this year’s participants from nearly 200 youth orchestras nationwide. Acceptance to the Festival has given AYP Orchestras national recognition, showing the benefits of progressive learning through our program.

At the Festival, students were given the opportunity to work with their peers from all over the country. Students not only performed with their own orchestras, but were divided into four festival orchestras under the batons of guest conductors. They also received small group training with respected instrumentalists. Unlike most summer music festivals, which stress individual performance, the Festival taught students to share their ideas with their peers and to work in cooperation with their fellow musicians.