History & Board

Founded in 1973, the Delaware County Youth Orchestra (DCYOs) is a highly selective ensemble of talented musicians from the Greater Delaware Valley, most of whom are in high school. This full symphony orchestra, which rehearses at Ardmore Presbyterian Church, is dedicated to providing young people of exceptional ability with an opportunity to rehearse and perform major works from the standard symphonic repertoire. Andrew Hauze, who is on the faculty at Swarthmore College, serves as DCYO Music Director and Conductor since 2014.

DCYO was founded by a core of six people, including the parents in two families and their children’s music teachers. Their intent was to provide higher-level music education than was available through the public schools. The founders included Richard and Beatrice Wernick, George and Elizabeth Crumb, Jerome Wigler and Bert Phillips. In 1973-4, Richard Wernick served as the first music director, followed by Eugene Narmour, Rosalind Erwin, Richard Vanstone, J. Karla Lemon, Thomas Hong, and Brad Smith. DCYO students have also enjoyed the privilege of working under such notable guest conductors as Robert Page, William Smith, Cristian Macelaru and Lio Kuokman, and rehearsing the tone poem blue cathedral with composer Jennifer Higdon. Under the baton of Music Director Andrew Hauze, DCYO performs three concerts a year in locations throughout the Delaware Valley.

The Young Musicians’ Orchestra (YMO) is a full symphony orchestra for intermediate-level players, most of whom are in middle school. Nick Pignataro has been the YMO Music Director since 2020, after joining as a co-director with Miku Shiota in 2015. YMO was originally formed as a chamber orchestra in 1989, under the management of string teacher Barbara Ostroff and the direction of Brian Cox. Since 1994, the orchestra was conducted by A. Scott Kiehner, David Reif, and Elizabeth Klinger before Ms. Shiota’s and Mr. Pignataro’s tenure.

YMO performs high-school-level arrangements of classical works, along with non-arranged works as originally penned by the composer. YMO rehearses at Strath Haven High School and performs two concerts per year.

The Young Musicians’ Band (YMB) offers an excellent concert band experience for intermediate-level players, most of whom are in middle school. By providing a select band experience for motivated younger musicians, YMB is unique in the Greater Delaware Valley. Jason Majerzcak has been the YMB Music Director since its inception in 2023.

Following the YMO schedule, YMB rehearses weekly at Strath Haven Middle School and performs a variety of high-level pieces from the band repertoire in two public concerts per year.

The Delaware County Youth Orchestras is incorporated under the Non-Profit Law of Pennsylvania. Financial support comes from individuals, corporations, and foundations.