Resident Companies
York County Honors Choir
The York County Honors Choir includes 125 high school singers from all nineteen private and public schools districts in York County. The choir, first formed as part of York County’s 250th anniversary, has become, in only eight years, an important part of the York arts community. The choir has performed throughout the county and for national dignitaries, including former President George Bush, former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani, and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. The honors choir has also performed at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Randy Yoder is the choir’s musical director and Michal Buchanan is the assistant director.
York County Junior Honors Choir
Four years ago, the choir's musical tradition expanded when The York County Junior Honors Choirs was formed. Like the senior choir, more than 100 talented middle school singers from all nineteen private and public schools in the county come together to share their love for music. The Junior Choir is thriving and its performance schedule has expanded. In 2005, the Junior Choir was one of two Pennsylvania choirs selected to perform at the American Choral Directors Association Summer Conference in State College. Donna Knott is the choir's musical director.
Judy Simpson, co-founder and chair of the board, announced in the spring, 2005 that Dr. Joel Rodney, chancellor at Penn State York, invited the choirs to be resident companies at the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center. In appreciation for this historic partnership, the choirs are proud to appear together in concert on February 11, 2006.
York Junior Symphony Orchestra
The York Junior Symphony Orchestra was founded to create a symphonic music culture among youths in grades five through eight living in York. The organization provides moral, financial, and inspirational support to these youths as they perform in a symphonic orchestra.
The York Junior Symphony Orchestra (YJSO) was organized in 1967. Its original 110 members performed their first concert on April 28, 1968, under the direction of Robert Snyder. Snyder continued as director until 1977. Visit our Web site at www.yjso.org
York Youth Symphony
The York Youth Symphony provides high school students with the opportunity to play in a symphonic orchestra. The orchestra performs professional scores and has performed at Carnegie Hall during the regular series.