The Pinellas Youth Symphony Chamber Ensembles are composed of advanced level string, brass, woodwind, and percussion students, who enjoy the experience of working together in small groups to learn and perform ensemble music. PYS Chamber Ensembles meet weekly on Sunday afternoons at Ruth Eckerd Hall and rehearse under the direction of the PYS artistic staff.
The ensembles perform in a variety of settings throughout the season. From time to time chamber ensembles are invited to perform at community/charity functions and on occasion prior to concerts and programs in local halls. Each season PYS chamber ensembles play in a December holiday chamber concert, a March spring concert, and an end-of-the-year Finale Chamber Concert.
In order to participate in a chamber ensemble, a student must be a member of the PYS, the senior level orchestra. Ensemble rehearsals are scheduled on Sundays to allow students time to practice with their chamber groups prior to participating in the 5pm PYS rehearsals. Placement in a chamber ensemble is determined by audition as well as appropriate instrumentation to warrant forming a group.
Ensemble members must be committed to the group; students and parent(s) are required to sign a letter of commitment before becoming a member of an ensemble. Reference copies of the letter of commitment and chamber ensemble policies are described in the PYS Handbook. There is a tuition fee charged over and above the orchestra fee for a student to participate in a chamber ensemble.