About
The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra is an award-winning youth orchestra that focuses on small orchestras and chamber music. Students rehearse weekly, perform throughout the year, and take part in activities such as masterclasses, PACO Camp, and Presto PACO (which includes tuition and auditions). The program also includes busking for the 2026 PACO European Tour and performances of chamber music at home and abroad.
• Schedule: PACO’s five ensembles rehearse weekly and perform throughout the year
The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra serves regional string musicians of high-school age and younger in five ensembles: SuperStrings, Preparatory, Debut, Sinfonia, and Senior PACO, with each ensemble having roughly 30 members. The program emphasizes chamber music and minimizes internal competition, with students working with each other across orchestra levels. Team work, compassion, empathy, and imagination are described as hallmarks of the community, and the organization states a highly personalized commitment to both students and the broader community. PACO posts many of its performances online on YouTube and Vimeo, and several generations of alumni have gone on to achieve success across diverse musical fields. PACO’s motto is “Plays Well with Others.”
PACO employs a professional group of world class musicians who work with students at all levels, and all faculty members have studied at some of the world’s most prestigious music institutions (text truncated in source). The leadership team includes Music Director Scott Krijnen, former Music Director Ben Simon (2002–2023), and founder and former Music Director William Whitson (1966–2001). Scott Krijnen was appointed Music Director in the 2023–24 season and is only the third Music Director in the organization’s 57-year history. The organization’s mission statement is: “We teach young string players to play well with others, to forge a musical community, and to make the world a better place.” The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra notes that it serves as a goodwill ambassador through the performance of chamber music at home and abroad and is supported by The Leder Family, SVCREATES, and donors.
Last updated May 22, 2026.
• Schedule: PACO’s five ensembles rehearse weekly and perform throughout the year
The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra serves regional string musicians of high-school age and younger in five ensembles: SuperStrings, Preparatory, Debut, Sinfonia, and Senior PACO, with each ensemble having roughly 30 members. The program emphasizes chamber music and minimizes internal competition, with students working with each other across orchestra levels. Team work, compassion, empathy, and imagination are described as hallmarks of the community, and the organization states a highly personalized commitment to both students and the broader community. PACO posts many of its performances online on YouTube and Vimeo, and several generations of alumni have gone on to achieve success across diverse musical fields. PACO’s motto is “Plays Well with Others.”
PACO employs a professional group of world class musicians who work with students at all levels, and all faculty members have studied at some of the world’s most prestigious music institutions (text truncated in source). The leadership team includes Music Director Scott Krijnen, former Music Director Ben Simon (2002–2023), and founder and former Music Director William Whitson (1966–2001). Scott Krijnen was appointed Music Director in the 2023–24 season and is only the third Music Director in the organization’s 57-year history. The organization’s mission statement is: “We teach young string players to play well with others, to forge a musical community, and to make the world a better place.” The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra notes that it serves as a goodwill ambassador through the performance of chamber music at home and abroad and is supported by The Leder Family, SVCREATES, and donors.
Last updated May 22, 2026.
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