In its fourth year, the Children's Chorus is comprised of 80 auditioned children in grades 4-8. The Children's Chorus performs at least three concerts each year as well as joining the adult chorus at the Gala Christmas Concerts. This group toured Europe in 1999 and will return by request in 2001. The Youth Orchestra performs at least two concerts each season including a mixture of traditional classical music with popular tunes such as movie themes. Each year the Symphony sponsors a Young Artists Competition with both piano and orchestral divisions.
Winners receive cash prizes and the opportunity to perform with the Orchestra.
Although a successful orchestra, PSO performs its season concerts at Tilghman High School auditorium in Paducah because it is the only space that can offer the necessary audience capacity. However, a group of area citizens has organized to build a performing arts center in Paducah. The Four Rivers Center for the Performing Arts is projected to be completed by 2003. First, a new performing arts center will provide PSO with its first opportunity to perform in an acoustically designed facility. Deanna Mascle is a staff writer for The Lane Report.