Philadelphia Orchestra partners with Carnegie Hall for youth initiative

In an extension of its already numerous outreach activities, the Philadelphia Orchestra announced a new partnership Thursday with Carnegie Hall's second youth orchestra, to be formed in 2016.

Having already formed the National Youth Orchestra of the USA (NYO-USA) in 2013 for musicians ages 16 to 19, Carnegie Hall is now founding the 80-piece NYO2 for students 14 to 17 who "have been traditionally underserved by local music programs," according to a statement it released.

As many as "several dozen" Philadelphia musicians will act as both as coaches and side-by-side players, said Philadelphia Orchestra president and CEO Allison Vulgamore. The actual work will happen in late June and early July at Purchase College, State University of New York, in Westchester County, though the culminating 2016 concert will be in Philadelphia.

Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall's executive and artistic director, called the project part of "the expanding portfolio of national programs created by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute."

In what Vulgamore discusses as a possible five-year plan, the relationship could develop any number of ways. "The Philadelphia Orchestra was selected because of the relationships it already has," Vulgamore said. "We're not stepping away from any of our commitments locally. We want to bring the partners together in Philadelphia."

The Philadelphia Orchestra has a history of collaborating with local ensembles such as the All-City Orchestra, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, and Play On, Philly! - often with music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Work with young musicians also takes place during the orchestra's annual tours of China, where the already-formed NYO-USA is touring this month under Philadelphia Conductor Laureate Charles Dutoit. The NYO-USA has also worked with Valery Gergiev and former Philadelphia Orchestra music director Christoph Eschenbach.

"One of the things that differentiates this . . . is that Carnegie Hall . . . is fostering classical music as a means of bringing people together," said Vulgamore. "Both sides [Carnegie and Philadelphia] are committed to growing a larger footprint . . . in the engagement with classical music. . . . So diversity as well as age is important."

The Philadelphia Orchestra's NYO2 arrangement, which adds a national partnership to the existing local and international ones, is expected to encourage local teenage musicians to apply. Participation is free, including room and board and all rehearsal, teaching and performance activities. Applications will be accepted from Sept. 8 to Dec. 18, including nominations from teachers or community leaders as well as audition videos. Further information is available at www.carnegiehall.org/nyo2.

Carnegie Hall could also be seen as owing the Philadelphia Orchestra a prestigious opening-night slot, as the orchestra had its 2013 beginning-of-the-season gala at Carnegie canceled by a strike. Vulgamore hasn't forgotten: "That's coming."