The Pasadena Symphony Association was founded in 1928, it was called the Pasadena Civic Symphony then and it was fully funded by the City of Pasadena. It has evolved into a prestigious symphonic ensemble comprised of the most gifted and sought after musicians from the motion picture film industry. In 2007 the Pasadena Symphony incorporated the Pasadena POPS Orchestra into its association and rebranded as Pasadena Symphony and POPS.
Pasadena Symphony
The Pasadena Symphony performs at Ambassador Auditorium, known as the Carnegie Hall of the West. The symphony season runs from October - May with six concerts of celebrated masterworks performed by world-renowned soloists.
Pasadena POPS
The Pasadena POPS performs at the LA County Arboretum from June - September, led by Principal Pops Conductor Michael Feinstein, the multi-platinum-selling, two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award-nominated entertainer dubbed "The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook.”
Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestras
A hallmark of its robust education programs, the Pasadena Symphony Association has served the youth of the region for over five decades through the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestras (PYSO) comprised of seven performing ensembles, with over 400 gifted 4th-12th grade students from all over Southern California. The PYSO Symphony has performed at venues across the globe as well as on the television show GLEE.
Venues
The Pasadena Symphony and POPS performs in two of the most extraordinary venues in the United States: Ambassador Auditorium, known as the Carnegie Hall of the West, and the luxuriant Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanic Garden.
