Pacific Academy Foundation Orchestra and Choir
Pacific Academy Foundation Orchestra and Choir
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We welcome you to join Pacific Academy Foundation Orchestra and Choir in order to play music with other talented young musicians, gain valuable knowledge to help improve your own skills, and, of course, have fun while making beautiful music!
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Instruments: All Standard Orchestral Instruments are welcome including Saxophone
Auditions are now Open on EVERY SATURDAY!
Audition is FREE
PAFO accepts video auditions.
Join our PAFO Choir - New this Fall!
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PAFO is excited to announce the formation of its new choir! The PAFO Choir is open to people of all ages and experience levels. Our debut concert last spring consisted of choristers from ages 6-96! We focus on making joyful music while honoring different cultures by singing in multiple languages and uniting multiple generations. Rehearsals start by age group up and all ages will unite in the rehearsals prior to each concert. All voice types welcome, join today!
PAFO is a great way for young musicians to improve their skills, make new friends, and have fun; PAFO is the place for you! Sign up today and start your musical journey with PAFO!
Questions? Email pafo@pacificacademyfoundation.org
Orchestra Schedule:
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PAFO rehearses every Saturday with occasional weekday rehearsals prior to formal concerts:
Saturday Schedule:
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Da Capo Orchestra: 1:30-3:30
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Vivace Orchestra: 2:30-5:30
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Symphony Orchestra: 4:30-7:30
Rehearsal location:
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Pacific Academy Multi-Purpose Room
4947 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92604 USA
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Annual fee:
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Tuition for the Pacific Academy Foundation Orchestra is $1,750 annually. The fee covers all required rehearsals and sectionals from September to June each year and is non-refundable.
Take out 2019-2019 calendar and update with a new one.
What does a PAFO audition entail?
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The audition process lasts approximately 10 minutes
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Solo Piece of your choice. Bring an extra copy of your audition music for the panel to reference.
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Scales of your choice.
Can I request a specific audition time?
Please contact Kelly Chu kchu@pacificacademyfoundation.org if you need a specific audition time.
What is the time commitment for the PAFO?
PAFO rehearsals generally take place weekly between mid-September and the first week of May. In addition to weekly rehearsals, there are two term concerts and a few other events. See the schedule of the season here.
Rehearsal schedule:
Saturday from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
Rehearsal location:
Pacific Academy Multi Purpose Room
4947 Alton Parkway
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Audition Repertoire:
Please prepare a scale and a piece of your choice.
About PAF Orchestra
Founded in 2018, PAFO has quickly become a highly sought-after music program in Southern California. We offer a curriculum that is designed to prepare any student to become a well-rounded musician. We provide numerous opportunities for students to play as a soloist with the orchestra, as well as gain leadership experience within the orchestra. Aside from full orchestra rehearsals, we offer small group and individual tutoring, as well as the option to participate in Chamber Music. Guided by teaching artists, students of different levels are also paired for mentorship opportunities, creating closer bonds between students while learning the indispensable craft of teaching. There are several internship and community service opportunities available. Students can enroll in PAFO as a 5 credit class and may apply to the Pacific Academy Foundation Scholarship. As the resident youth orchestra of the Music to Save Humanity Foundation, PAFO believes in offering music for the greater good and engages in outreach to communities that do not have access to the performing arts including children's hospitals, assisted living facilities, community organizations and foundations that support the blind and disabled all over the world, and more!
PAFO's world-renowned conductor, Maestro Jorge Luis Uzcátegui, is dedicated to helping young musicians reach their full potential. Maestro Uzcátegui has conducted orchestras all over the world, and he brings his vast experience and passion to PAFO. Learn more about Maestro Uzcátegui here.
PAFO students have VIP access to attend and participate in all Music to Save Humanity masterclasses, seminars, recording projects, and the MTSH Ambassador Program: https://www.musictosavehumanity.org
Auditions for PAFO are now open! All standard orchestral instruments are welcome, including saxophone. We offer scholarships to qualified students.
Our Conductor
Jorge Luis Uzcátegui
Ph.D in orchestral conducting at UCLA
First Prize at the Wise Conducting Competition in Los Angeles; First Prize at the Debut Hamburg International Conducting Competition
Maestro Gustavo Dudamel described Maestro Uzcátegui as “a young Venezuelan conductor with the highest academic education and artistic ability."
After his debuts as a pianist with the Simón Bolívar Symphony and the Venezuelan National Philharmonic at age 13, Jorge Luis Uzcátegui has gone on to perform concerts in North, Central, South America, Europe, and Asia.
Uzcátegui has conducted members from distinguished orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Frankfurt Opera Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, Sao Paulo Symphony, Boston Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Uzcátegui won First Prize at the Debut Hamburg International Conducting Competition in Germany and at the Paraná Symphony International Conducting Competition in Brazil, obtaining the unanimous vote from the jury and all orchestra members. He also won First Prize at the Wise Conducting Competition in Los Angeles, where he is completing his doctorate in orchestral conducting at UCLA.