PYSO String Orchestra accepts talented upper elementary through 9th grade students who show through audition they are ready for more advanced rehearsal and performance orchestral skills. Members learn to play with sensitivity and ensemble balance. Individual preparation of music is required. Professional musicians are brought in periodically to coach sectionals.
The PYSO String Orchestra was selected to perform at the 1996 AMEA State Convention and has performed at the Phoenix Country Day School, the Phoenix Zoo, the Chandler Center for the Arts, the Festival of Trees at the Glendale Civic Center and in Washington D.C. The String Orchestra toured and performed in Chicago in March, 2007.
Upper elementary through 9th grade
$530
Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:30 pm
Central High School
4525 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Ensemble Music Level of Difficulty: Performs literature mainly at levels 3-5.
Solo of your choice. Please perform a total of 3:00 minutes of music from the work.
Specific scale requirement will be emailed shortly before your audition.
Major Scales up to 3 flats and 3 sharps (2 or 3 octaves).
A sight-reading component may be a part of the virtual audition. More information may be posted later.
Don’t neglect practicing sight reading pieces you are unfamiliar with to help prepare for this part of the audition.
Best of luck in your preparation, always start slow and work with a metronome!!
Visit our Contact page and choose “Auditions” to send us a message.
View our stars in concert!
The PYSO String Orchestra, under the direction of Bethany Cross has been invited to perform at the Arizona Music Educators Association Conference at the Mesa Convention Center on Saturday, January 29.
Featuring the Symphony Orchestra and The Phoenix Symphony under the direction of Matthew Kasper. Location: Symphony Hall in Phoenix, Arizona.
This special concert recognizes the instrumental music teachers of PYSO musicians. Featuring: PYSO Percussion Ensemble, Prelude Strings, String Orchestra, and Philharmonic Orchestra.
PYSO Philharmonic Concert featuring the Philharmonic Orchestra.
Featuring the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Matthew Kasper. Concerts are free to elementary school students, but reservations are required by school or homeschool group.
PYSO 2021-2022 Season Finale featuring Percussion Ensemble, Prelude Strings, String Orchestra, and Philharmonic Orchestra.
Featuring a partnership between Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras and the School of Ballet Arizona. Location is at the Madison Center for the Arts. Time is to be determined.
Bethaney Cross
Conductor, String Orchestra
Bethaney Cross received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Viola Performance from Northern Arizona University. While attending NAU, she performed with the Flagstaff Symphony, Verde Valley Sinfonietta, NAU Symphony and NAU Chamber orchestras. Her performance and teaching career in the Phoenix metro area began in 2011. Bethaney performed as Principal Violist in the Chandler Symphony in the 2015 season. She began teaching at Mountainside Middle School in Scottsdale in 2015 where her ensembles performed at fall and spring ABODA festivals receiving Superior with Distinction ratings. In 2017, Bethaney guest conducted the 6th Grade Scottsdale Unified Honor Orchestra festival. She also served as lead orchestra director in Scottsdale for the elementary and middle school orchestra programs. Bethaney is presently the Assistant Director of Orchestras at Mountain View High School.
Bethaney is a former musician of Phoenix Youth Symphony, and was a part of the 2004 tour to China and 2006 tour to Austria. As a former musician with Phoenix Youth Symphony, Bethaney is excited to be back to conduct the String Orchestra. She believes in providing young musicians a place to begin their creative expression as an ensemble performer through an encouraging learning environment.
Bethaney is a native of Arizona, and currently resides in Mesa with her husband and two boys Landen and Walter. When she isn’t teaching, she is with her family camping and hiking.