5th - 8th Grade Strings and Percussion

Philharmonia is where young string players step into a more serious musical challenge — while staying with the peers who motivate and inspire them most. We group students by age rather than skill alone, because we've found that children thrive when they're surrounded by kids at the same stage of life, not just the same stage of playing.

The repertoire is more challenging than students are likely to encounter at school, and the ensemble structure reflects that ambition. Students are supported not only by our conductors but by section coaches who sit directly in the orchestra alongside them — experienced players who help in real time with the specifics of each instrument and part. High school volunteers also play a role, serving as near-peer mentors who students can look up to and learn from.

The result is an ensemble that pushes students further than they expected — and makes them proud of what they've achieved.
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When: Friday evenings, 5:15-6:15 pm
Where: St Paul's Greek Orthodox Church, 4949 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92604

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Philharmonia Director, Shawn Berry

Shawn graduated from California State University Long Beach in 2020, receiving a
bachelor’s in music performance. Since moving to Orange County in 2020, he teaches
privately, coaches various ensembles, and performs throughout the county. He coached
the string sections of the String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and the Chamber
Orchestra at San Clemente High School and is currently the Instructional Music Assistant at Newhart Middle School. He also coaches the cello sections of the Orange County Youth Symphony and String Ensemble.

Shawn is also an alumnus of the Orange County School of the Arts and CYOSC. During his time with CYOSC, he performed in the Symphony, Solisti, coached the cello sections in Sinfonia and participated in a conducting internship under Mr. Gene Wie where he
conducted Symphony in a performance of the Overture of the Marriage of Figaro. He looks forward to leading Philharmonia in the upcoming 2025-2026 season.