Villa-Lobos String Quartet No. 1 | PACO Chamber Academy | Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra

I. Cantilena
II. Brincadeira
2024-25 Season PACO Academy Chamber Concert #1
Scott Krijnen, Music Director
Eugene Sor, Chamber Director
November 16, 2024 @ Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto, CA
Recorded by Carol Yang
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In 2023-24, we launched a new program called the PACO Chamber Academy, in which two chamber groups worked together throughout the entire season under the guidance of professional musician coaches. This initiative aimed to foster deeper musical synergy and provide valuable mentoring experiences, enhancing both group dynamics and individual skills. This season, we launch our full PACO
Academy, open to students of all orchestras and led by PACO Chamber Director Eugene Sor.
Our PACO Academy serves as a vehicle for our Senior Orchestra to form a year-long chamber ensemble where they act as musical ambassadors for everything that PACO stands for: the unique blend of high level chamber music with a strong, generous and supportive community. These quartets will bring “PACO out into the World” and live by our motto, to “play well with others.” Our chamber music conservatory will feature masterclasses from renowned chamber musicians.
The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra (PACO) is an award-winning youth orchestra for regional string musicians of high school age and younger. PACO's five ensembles, SuperStrings, Preparatory, Debut, Sinfonia, and Senior PACO, each have approximately 25-30 members who rehearse weekly and perform throughout the year, presenting an extraordinary level of music-making and commitment to their art.
At PACO, we believe that making music and lifelong friends are best achieved in an atmosphere of cooperation and teamwork. Our focus on small orchestras and chamber music makes that possible, and we minimize internal competition to foster creativity and collaboration for our young musicians. PACO students get many opportunities to work with each other across orchestra levels, knitting our musical family together and providing teaching and learning opportunities for all. Teamwork, compassion, empathy, and imagination are hallmarks of our community. More than just learning how to play the notes, our students learn the real meaning and value of playing well with others.
Our emphasis on chamber music uniquely sets PACO apart from other youth programs. It lies at the core of our educational success, allowing a highly personalized commitment to both our students and our community.
Members of the Debut, Sinfonia, and Senior PACO orchestras attend our annual chamber music workshop PACO Camp in August, where advanced ensemble training takes place under the watchful eyes (and ears) of a nationally renowned faculty.
Presto PACO is a shorter, local version of PACO Camp. This 5-day workshop for young string players ages 8-13 is open to members of our Superstrings and Preparatory orchestras, and other community musicians by audition.
PACO was founded in 1966 by local violinist, teacher, and conductor William Whitson, who served as the orchestra's music director for 36 years. During that time, Mr. Whitson established PACO as one of the nation's premier youth ensembles. From 2002 to 2023, violist Benjamin Simon continued the tradition of excellence while bringing fresh energy and exciting direction to PACO's programs. Appointed Music Director in 2023, cellist Scott Krijnen has taken the baton from Mr. Simon, leading the 5-orchestra organization and collaborating with guest conductors, fellows, and faculty, while continuing to bring excellence in music performance and education through chamber music and chamber orchestras.