Founded in 1966 by local violinist and conductor, William Whitson, the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra (PACO) is an award-winning youth chamber orchestra for regional string musicians of high school age and younger. The emphasis on chamber music uniquely sets PACO apart from other youth orchestras in the Bay Area and the nation and lies at the core of its educational success. What also sets it apart is PACO’s highly personalized commitment to both student and community, as envisioned in its mission statement, “to cultivate the highest artistic values and embrace the importance of human relationships through the study of chamber music; to serve as goodwill ambassadors through the performance of chamber music at home and abroad; and to instill a life-long appreciation of chamber music in young people, their families, and the community.” Appointed in 2002, Benjamin Simon now serves as PACO’s music director continuing PACO’s tradition of musical excellence.

Over the past 39 years PACO has offered a comprehensive ensemble training program for its 125 student musicians who are chosen by audition. Having five orchestra levels (PACO, Sinfonia, Debut, Preparatory and Superstrings) encourages string players to start at a young age and advance through the levels as their music training progresses. In 39 years PACO has graduated well over 500 students, most of whom have continued in music in some capacity, and many of whom have become local, national and even internationally acclaimed professional musicians and teachers.