Pacific Youth Symphony

The Pacific Youth Symphony returns for the 2022-23 school year. We are excited about a youth orchestra experience to support young musicians in the San Joaquin Valley, on the beautiful campus of University of the Pacific. Please scroll down to learn more about how to sign-up for an audition and join our orchestra.

Since 1965 the Pacific Youth Symphony (previously Central Valley Youth Symphony) has provided young people in San Joaquin and surrounding counties with the opportunity to play great symphonic music while making new friends. With expert coaching from Conservatory faculty and students, weekly rehearsals prepare 6-12 grade players for at least two concerts each academic year. (Note: students outside of grades 6-12, can be considered by audition and reviewed on a case-by-case basis).

Students should be in grades 6-12 to participate and must have experience with participating in a musical school program, and if no school music program is available will have taken private music lessons.

Fees and Tuition
Fall & Spring Semesters — $500
Fall only — $325
Spring only — $325

Rehearsals will begin the week of September 12, 2022. More details about the first rehearsal are coming soon. The Fall Concert is on December 11, 2022 at 2:30 p.m.

For any questions, please contact Jonathan Latta, Program Director of Ensembles, at jlatta@pacific.edu.

The Conductor

Shane Kalbach

Shane Kalbach began working with Pacific Youth Symphony in 2004 as a coach and later as the Preparatory Orchestra conductor. He is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento, where he majored in viola performance and theory/composition. Mr. Kalbach is a long-time music educator in Lincoln Unified School District. He also enjoys an active performance career on both violin and viola, playing jazz, classical and country style music for a variety of events, bands and orchestras throughout the Central Valley.

1965

Ralph Matesky, music director of the Stockton Symphony and Doris Byron, assistant Concertmistress of the Stockton Symphony and string teacher at Edison High School, form an orchestra string ensemble for talented, school-age musicians.

1966

The orchestra adds on winds and percussion. Through the vision of Arthur J. Holton, Sr., Chairman of the division of Arts and Letters at San Joaquin Delta College, it becomes a community service activity of the College, in cooperation with the Stockton Symphony Association, Stockton Unified School District and San Joaquin County Office of Education.

1976

Kyung-Soo Won, music director and conductor of the Stockton Symphony and faculty at San Joaquin Delta College, takes the helm of the orchestra under its new name - Stockton Symphony Youth Orchestra.

1978

The orchestra is reorganized and named the Central Valley Youth Orchestra (CVYS). Parents and interested community members accept jurisdiction in cooperation with the Stockton Symphony Association. Ron Caviani, associate professor in composition, theory and orchestration at University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music, is selected as the conductor.

1992

Michael Allard, associate professor of Applied Music at University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music, becomes the orchestra's conductor.

1995

The orchestra performs at Carnegie Hall, NYC.

1997

CVYS becomes an independent, non-profit organization. During their nine-concert tour through Australia and New Zealand, the orchestra wins the gold medal at the International Music Festival in the Sydney Opera House.

2000

Thomas Derthick assumes the baton. Mr. Derthick has been a lecturer in bass at University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music since 1988. He is also principal bassist of the Cabrillo Music Festival and Sacramento Philharmonic. The orchestra performs to standing ovations at Carnegie Hall, NYC.

2003

CVYS returnes to Carnegie Hall and receives a five-minute standing ovation.

2018

University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music assumes full leadership of the orchestra.

2019

The orchestra is re-named the Pacific Youth Orchestra.

2021

Shane Kalbach, long-time music educator in Lincoln Unified School District, assumes the baton of the Pacific Youth Symphony.

FOR STUDENT PERFORMERS

Auditions

We ask that all students complete an audition prior to the start of rehearsals. This will assist in getting to know the musically and in seating. For the audition, please plan for the following: