What is our mission?
Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras [TRYPO] creates a dynamic, inclusive community where young people are inspired to pursue a lifelong passion for music.
What do we value to our core?
Stand Tall: Demonstrate respect and integrity in all you do.
Embrace Difference: Celebrate diversity and open yourself to new ways of thinking.
Make It Happen: Make a difference and strive to be your best.
Chart a New Path: Challenge the status quo and innovate to differentiate.
Care Deeply: Show compassion and understanding for others.
Build Bridges: Create and nurture long-lasting relationships.
TRYPO's Journey
For 49 years, Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras has been providing musical kids in Pittsburgh with opportunities to rehearse and perform music at a high level outside of schooltime with other musical kids from the region who also love music. What started as one small ensemble for a few dozen kids now serves hundreds of kids each year from schools all over the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area!
In 1974, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra harpist Phyllis Susen was encouraged by Marie Maazel to create a training orchestra for young musicians in Pittsburgh. With then, Pittsburgh Symphony Principal Flutist Bernard Z. Goldberg as the founding music director, Ms. Susen founded the Three Rivers Training Orchestra for students ages 13-18. The orchestra flourished. In response to inquiries for an even younger orchestra, Symphonette (SYM), for students ages 10-15, was created in 1985. At that time, the organization officially became Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras (TRYPO).
The organization has continued to add opportunities for students, particularly in the past six years. In 2015, TRYPO joined with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra to launch the Youth Chamber Connection (YC²), including a summer program, YC², at Chautauqua Music Camps. Then in 2018, under new artistic leadership with Music Director Brian Worsdale, TRYPO launched a Wind Symphony, a Percussion Ensemble, and an Apprentice Conducting Program. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TRYPO ran a virtual summer program called Camp Crescendo and subsequently launched TRYPOsphere, which included classes in Composition, Overdubbing, and Music Theory.
TRYPO strongly believes in the power of collaboration and community. Another project is a coalition of Pittsburgh’s youth music organizations called UniSound. UniSound aims to create a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable youth music ecosystem in the greater Pittsburgh area through building an alliance of organizations that provide music education and performance opportunities for youth.
Through all these programs and collaborations, TRYPO is creating a dynamic, inclusive community where young people are inspired to pursue a lifelong passion for music.
WANT TO HELP?
Volunteer!
Donate!
Audition!
TRYPO Through the Years
1970s
2000-2009
1980s
2010-Present
1990s
Meeting Our Heroes
