News/Blog
Young Artist Competition – Applications close January 11
The Competition now features a Junior Division and an Open Division. Applications close Jan 11, 2025! We are excited to offer these opportunities for talented young musicians to demonstrate their skill and artistry through the audition process, and for each winner, a cash prize and a performance as soloist with the Pasadena Community Orchestra. Click “Read More” for details.
Next Concert – January 24 – Ravel’s blockbuster ‘Bolero’
Our 42nd season continues on January 24 with music by Mozart, Khachaturian, and Ravel.
Young Artist Competition for 2024-25 now open
The Competition now features a Junior Division and an Open Division. We are excited to offer these opportunities for talented young musicians to demonstrate their skill and artistry through the audition process, and for each winner, a cash prize and a performance as soloist with the Pasadena Community Orchestra. Click “Read More” for details.
2024-25 Concert Season Begins – Friday November 8
Our 42nd season opens on November 8 with music by Rossini, Bizet, Dukas, Gershwin, and Rimsky-Korsakov.
Announcing Dates for the 2024-25 Season
The Pasadena Community Orchestra 2024-25 season begins on November 8, 2024. Pre-Concert discussion at 7:15pm
Chamber Music Recital – Sunday, September 29
Chamber Music Recital on Sep 29, 2024. All ticket sales help support our Young Artist Competition Winners.
Annual Concert in the Park
Join us for our popular Annual Concert in the Park on Saturday, June 8, at 6:30pm. We play at the Sierra Madre Memorial Park, 222 West Sierra Madre Blvd
Announcing the Winners of the 2023-24 Young Artist Competitions
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is thrilled to announce the winners of this year’s competitions. In the Senior Division, the winner is violinist Ezra Shcolnik. The Junior Division winner is pianist Nathan Pak.
2024 Young Artist Competition Winner (Senior Division) – Ezra Shcolnik
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is excited to announce that violinist Ezra Shcolnik is the winner of the 2024 Young Artist Competition (Senior Division). Ezra will perform the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto at the Pasadena Community Orchestra’s May 10, 2024 concert.
2024 Young Artist Competition Winner (Junior Division) – Nathan Pak
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is excited to announce that pianist Nathan Pak is the winner of the 2024 Young Artist Competition (Junior Division). Nathan will perform the the first movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 at the Pasadena Community Orchestra’s May 10, 2024 concert.
Percussion Concerto !
A special event! At our March 15 concert, the Orchestra is proud to feature Torrance Buntyn, Jr., who will be the soloist in the contemporary Canadian composer Allen Gordon Bell’s Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra. Come early to hear Torrance talk at 720pm in the auditorium about the concerto and his association with the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists.
PCO Partners with the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists
PCO is excited to form a community partnership with the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP), a non-profit that provides professional development to young and emerging Black percussionists pursuing careers in symphonic percussion.
Young Artist Competitions for 2023-24 Announced
Update: Jan 24, 2024: The Young Artist competition is now closed to applications. A new competition will be announced in the fall.
We are excited to offer these opportunities for talented young musicians to demonstrate their skill and artistry through the audition process, and for the winner, a performance as soloist with the Pasadena Community Orchestra. Click “Read More” for details.
2023-24 Concert Season Announced
Mark your calendar for the Orchestra’s 41st season: Fridays at 8:00pm, at the beautiful First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena. Our concerts are always free admission, and there is plenty of free parking. Click “Read More” for details.
Nov 10, 2023
Jan 26, 2024
Mar 15, 2024
May 10, 2024
June 8, 2024 (TBC) Concert in the Park, 6:30pm
PCO awarded grant from LA County Arts & Culture
We are thrilled to be the recipient of a grant from LA County’s Organizational Grant Program to support the Orchestra’s operation. Thanks #LACountyArts !
Annual Concert in the Park
Join us for our popular Annual Concert in the Park on Saturday, June 10, at 6:30pm. We play at the Sierra Madre Memorial Park, 222 West Sierra Madre Blvd
2023 Young Artist Competition Winner – Anais Feller
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is excited to announce that violinist Anais Feller is the winner of the 2022 Young Artist Competition. Anais will perform violin solo in the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto at the May 12, 2023 concert of the 2022-23 season.
2021 Young Artist Competition Winner – Boxianzi Ling
The winner of the 2021 Young Artist Competition violinist Boxianzi (Vivian) Ling. She will perform the Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saëns at our March 17, 2023 concert.
Hear our 2020 Young Artist Competition Winner in Concert on Jan 27
On January 27, 2023 at 8:00pm we will present our 2020 Young Artist Competition Winner Audrey Park, playing the Violin Concerto by Johannes Brahms.
Young Artist Competition for 2022-23
Update: February 4, 2023. The Young Artist Competition for 2022 is closed. The Competition will be back in fall 2023. It will be announced to our Newsletter distribution, to local music schools, and on this website.
Magical Sound of Two Harps
Thanks to Ellie Choate and Paul Baker, harp duo, for entertaining us at our Chamber Music Gala Fundraiser on October 2.
PCO Annual Fundraiser 2022: Celebrating 40 years
The Pasadena Community Orchestra held a Chamber Music Gala Fundraiser on October 2 at which we celebrated our 40th anniversary with music and cake!
Announcing our 40th Anniversary Season
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is excited to celebrate our 40th Anniversary Season, starting on November 11, 2022
Annual Concert in the Park
Join us for our popular Annual Concert in the Park on Saturday, June 4. We play at the Sierra Madre Memorial Park, 222 West Sierra Madre...
Yard Sale – Fundraiser for the Orchestra
Update (May 11, 2022): Thanks to everyone who helped make our Yard Sale a success - those who donated items for sale, those who purchased...
Pasadena Community Orchestra – at the First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena, on May 6
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is back, with a live performance on Friday May 6, 8:00pm. As with all PCO concerts, it will be free of...
Pasadena Community Orchestra is back! – Playing Live on March 11
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is back, with a live performance on Friday March 11! This concert was originally scheduled for January 21, 2022. It will be held in the Auditorium of Pasadena High School.
President’s Message
A message from the Orchestra’s President, Mary House, on Janaury 12, 2022
January concert is postponed to March 11
We regret to announce that due to the omicron Covid variant we have postponed our January concert. Our concern for the safety of...
Video recording from PCO Concert from November 5, 2021 now available
The Pasadena Community Orchestra performed on Friday November 5. This was the Orchestra's first live concert since January 2020. The...
Pasadena Community Orchestra – Playing Live Again!
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is back, with a live performance on Friday November 5! This will be the Orchestra's first live concert...
Plans for the 2021-22 Season
To Our Dear and Loyal Audience and Supporters, an update on the upcoming season.
PCO String Ensemble Virtual Concert
The Pasadena Community Orchestra String Ensemble, featuring eighteen of the Orchestra’s string players, recorded this concert in Pasadena in June, 2021
Orchestra News and Plans for the Upcoming Season
After a difficult year of not being together, we are planning a return to live music and once again bringing free concerts to our...
2020 Young Artist Competition Winner – Audrey Park
The winner of the Pasadena Community Orchestra's 2020 Young Artist Competition is Audrey Park, violin. View a video of the recital she...
Past + Present Video Series V
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is pleased to invite you to listen to our next online video concert
Past + Present Video Series IV
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is pleased to invite you to listen to our next online video concert....
Past + Present Video Series III
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is pleased to invite you to listen to our next online video concert. This concert will feature two...
Past + Present Video Series II
Welcome to the second posting of our PCO 2020-2021 season! This virtual concert will be available on Friday, December 11, at 8:00 p.m.,...
Past + Present Video Series premiere
Welcome to the first in our "Past + Present Video Series". These videos will feature chamber music specially recorded by members of the...
2020 – 2021 Concert Season
September 1, 2020 To Our Dear and Loyal Audience and Donors: On behalf of our Music Director and Board of Directors, we hope this concert...
Greetings
September 1, 2020 Greetings from all of us at PCO! It has been an unprecedented year of adjustments to our usual music-making schedules,...
Covid-19
Greetings! We are busy at work creating performing opportunities for our players and listening occasions for our audiences! The health and...
2019 – 2020 Concert Season
Welcome to the Pasadena Community Orchestra’s 2019 - 2020 season! There’s something for everyone in this new season, from star performers...
Update Feb 7, 2023: AmazonSmile is winding down
Update: Feb 7, 2023. Amazon has announced that it is winding down AmazonSmile on Feb 20, 2023.
Join PCO!
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is a dedicated group of musicians who volunteer their talent and time. The orchestra rehearses every...
Special Thanks
PCO would like to thank the following sponsors for helping to make our final concert of the season, June 8th, a fun and successful event!...
Concert Review by Annelle K. Gregory
On May 10th Annelle K. Gregory performed Stravinsky's Violin Concerto in D. Below is Annelle's remarks about performing with PCO: "As the...
2019 Young Artist Competition Winner – Annelle Gregory
American violinist Annelle Kazumi Gregory is a laureate of international competitions, concert soloist, and recording artist. She is the...
2018 – 2019 Concert Season
Something old, something new … that’s what you will find in our exciting new season at PCO! We are really looking forward to playing some...
2018 Young Artist Competition Winner – Max Hammond
Max Hammond, 17, has been in the winners circle of many piano competitions, with top finishes that include 1st place awards in the Lansum...
Amy Hammond and Max Hammond, Concert Review
Our Experience Working with PCO Our family’s experience with the Pasadena Community Orchestra was really lovely. They run a very well...
Max Hammond Performs Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 with PCO, May 11
PCO performs Ippolotov-Ivanov’s “Procession of the Sardar”, Holst’s “Jupiter Op. 32”, Borodin’s “In the Steppes of Central Asia” and...
Dr. Nikolaus Keelaghan Performs Rare Concerto for Bass Drum with PCO, March 16
PCO performs Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty Waltz”, Wagner’s “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral”, Franck’s “The Accursed Huntsman” and...
Introducing the Elixir Trio
Introducing the Elixir Trio Lucy Nargizyan, Pianist Described as “a pianist with fluent grace, beautiful tone, great technique and...
Happy Holidays from PCO!
As you deck the halls with boughs of holly and brave the holiday crowds (and Internet), please consider giving a year-end donation to...
RIP, Alan Reinecke
Dear Friends, It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of Alan Reinecke. Alan Reinecke, son of PCO...
2017 – 2018 Concert Season
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of music in our lives! Music inspires, excites, motivates, influences, and unites us as...
Final Concert of the Season
Our final concert of the season took place on Saturday June 10th at Sierra Madre Memorial Park. We are thankful to all of our wonderful...
2017 Young Artist Competition Winner – Rufus Bordal
Rufus Bordal, 16, has been a winner in numerous piano competitions, garnering 1st place finishes in the Los Angeles Young Musicians...
Rufus Bordal | Piano
Hear Beethoven’s 3rd “Piano Concerto,” Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance #19,” “Ballet Music from El Cid” by Massenet, and Tchaikovsy’s stirring...
Pasadena Showcase House of Design
Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts has recently awarded us a grant and we would like to encourage you to support their fundraising...
Violin Phenomenon Aubree Oliverson Returns to Pasadena Community Orchestra with Wieniawski Concerto
Oliverson performs this epic romantic favorite with the fire and passion audiences have come to expect from this rising star. The...
2016 – 2017 Concert Season
Welcome to the new season of the PCO! Nothing matches the experience of live music, and this wonderful group of musicians will be bringing...
Annual Family Concert in the Park – Free
KICK OFF YOUR SUMMER (AND YOUR SHOES!) AT A FREE CONCERT IN THE PARK! Join Pasadena Community Orchestra for a relaxing evening of...
Alexander Agate | Piano
Alexander Agate, 21, began learning piano at age 11. At 13 he was accepted into the Applied Music Scholarship program at Moorpark...
2016 Young Artist Competition Winner – Alexander Agate
Alexander Agate has packed a lifetime’s worth of piano study into 10 years. Currently a senior in Piano Performance at the highly regarded...
Support the 2016 Pasadena Showcase House of Design
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is proud to announce that we are recipients of a grant from the Pasadena Showcase House For the Arts!...
Cello Soloist Catherine Biagini Joins PCO in Globe-Spanning Concert
Concert features Concerto No. 1 by Saint-Saens, Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, and works by Debussy, Griffes, and...
Reserve Your Seat to the 5th Annual Chamber Music Gala by February 24th!
Registration for this highly popular event will sell out fast! Seating is limited, so please make your donation to attend by February...
2015 – 2016 Concert Season
It is very exciting for me to welcome you to another season with the PCO! We invite you to experience with us the magic of live music, to...
Pasadena Showcase House of Design
2015 Young Artist Competition Winner – Aubree Oliverson
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is proud to announce this years Young Artist Competition Winner, Aubree Oliverson! Sixteen year-old...
Concert Review from Judith Anne Still
Our January 30th Concert was a great success! We are most proud of the support and communication between PCO Board members and Judith Anne...
Reserve Your Seat to the 4th Annual Chamber Music Gala by February 25th!
Registration for this highly popular event will sell out fast! Seating is limited, so please make your donation to attend by February...
Symphony No. 1 by William Grant Still
PCO has corresponded with Still’s daughter, Judith Ann Still, and his granddaughter, Lisa Headlee, who are both very excited about the...
Harpist Maria Casale Joins PCO
On Friday, January 30, 2015, at 8:00 p.m., harpist Maria Casale, who has been a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and L.A. Chamber...
Merry Christmas!
As you deck the halls with boughs of holly and brave the holiday crowds (and Internet), please consider giving a year-end donation to...
2015 Young Artist Competition Open
PCO presents its 29th annual Young Artist Competition! The purpose of this competition is to identify, assist, and feature talented young...
Coloratura Soprano Lori Ann Fuller Piscioneri Joins PCO to Open its 32nd Season
A rare concert performance of classic coloratura arias caps a gala evening of dramatic music written for the stage. Lori Ann Fuller...
Jack Van Amringe
Jack Van Amringe 10/11/1932 – 5/24/2014 Friend to all, enemy of none, longtime Pasadena resident and philanthropist John H. “Jack” Van...
Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts Award
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is proud to announce that we are recipients of a grant from the Pasadena Showcase House For the Arts!...
Chie Nagatani to Play Gershwin Piano Concert March 28, 2014
On Friday, March 28, 2014, pianist Chie Nagatani, who has performed extensively throughout Canada, the U.S., Japan, Italy and Poland, and...
2014 Young Artist Competition Winner – Han Bin Yoon
The Pasadena Community Orchestra Foundation is proud to announce the winner of the 2014 Young Artist Competition, Cellist Han Bin Yoon....
RSVP for the 3rd Annual Fundraiser Online!
Registration for this highly popular event is now available online. Don't forget to RSVP before tickets are sold out.
Merry Christmas!
As you deck the halls with boughs of holly and brave the holiday crowds (and Internet), please consider giving a year-end donation to...
Reviews & Press from Video Games Live Concert
Live from San Diego Comic-Con 2013, It’s Video Games Live By Erik Gallegos on July 25, 2013 @VideoGameologists.com Video Games Live leaves...
Video Games Live at Comic Con
Last Saturday the Orchestra had the pleasure of performing for Video Games Live during Comic Con. The entire show can be seen on Twitch TV.
2013 Young Artist Competition Winner – Tianpeng Yu
The Pasadena Community Orchestra is excited to announce the winner of the 2013 Young Artist Competition, Tianpeng Yu. He plays with the...
2012 Young Artist Competition Winner – Nathan Kirchhoff
Nathan Kirchhoff, 16, Young Artist Competition winner, will perform Weber's Bassoon Concerto in F major, Op. 75, with Pasadena Community...