Students are strongly encouraged to participate in school music programs if available and are encouraged to seek private instruction when possible. Study and practice of assigned music outside of rehearsal ensures the advancement of the orchestra as a whole during rehearsal time.

Orchestra rehearsals and string classes are held on Sunday afternoons/early evenings. The rehearsal/concert season begins in September and ends in early May.

A reasonable tuition is charged to partially defray expenses. There are a limited number of need-based scholarships available to students of all instrumentation.

The PYS strings program is funded in part by the Pinellas County Commission through the Cultural Development Grants Program of the Cultural Affairs Department.

Funding for the Serenade Strings program is provided in part by employees of the St. Petersburg Times through the Employee Giving Program, matched from the St. Petersburg Times Fund, Inc. and the Pinellas County Cultural Council.

All PYS events and programs in St. Petersburg are funded in part by the City of St. Petersburg.