Palmetto Chamber Orchestra

The Palmetto Chamber Orchestra is the premier community chamber orchestra in Columbia, South Carolina. The orchestra is led by Maestra Pavlovsky and features many of the area's talented community musicians.​ Affectionately referred to as PCO, the Palmetto Chamber Orchestra has made waves in Columbia's Classical Music scene under the Maestra. 

PCO was founded in 2016, by Maestra Suzanna Pavlovsky, as an ensemble for string educators and talented local musicians to perform a variety of musical styles and genres. Through the years, the ensemble has continued to grow and in 2021 woodwinds, brass, and percussion were added. This addition turned PCO into a true chamber orchestra.

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The growth of the orchestra has expanded its ability for community performances and outreach, as well as various smaller ensembles have been formed under the Palmetto Chamber Orchestra name. The organization currently includes a string quartet and a wind quintet along side the chamber orchestra. These groups have performed for the community at PCO concerts, as well as, performances geared towards children at the State Public Library. The Palmetto Chamber Orchestra has also collaborated with the local Suzuki Academy Columbia to provide a joint performance opportunity for younger musicians.

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While the size of the group has expanded, so has the quality of musicianship and music that is performed. Recordings of the Palmetto Chamber Orchestra have been featured on NPR's Carolina Live segment that airs the best of classical music performances from North and South Carolina.