70 In-Person Woodwind & Brass Classes, 68 members, 10 conductor/coaches The Fall 2020 season has been an intricate puzzle with multiple moving parts. The season began first with the Woodwind and Brass members meeting in small cohorts under the tents at McFarland HS. Over the 7 weeks of rehearsals, weather was definitely the challenge as these...
November 20, 2020 On Tuesday of this week, WYSO made the decision to return to virtual programming for all members. The decision was approved at the November Board of Directors Meeting just ahead of announcements by Governor Tony Evers and Public Health Madison and Dane County to limit the size of gatherings. While PHMDC Public Health Order #10 did not...
Nov 6, 2020This week Governor Tony Evers announced that $15 million in COVID-19 Cultural Organization Grants has been awarded to 385 cultural organizations across Wisconsin. “Just like small businesses, cultural organizations have taken a major financial hit,” said DOA Secretary Joel Brennan. “We’re all in this together." WYSO is proud and grateful to have...
WYSO is proud to announce our upcoming Series of Virtual Master Classes, to be taught by some of the top orchestral musicians in the world! Including six master classes taught by illustrious WYSO alumni, including Vicki Powell (Principal Viola, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic), Kenneth Woods (Conductor, English Symphony Orchestra), Scott Pingel (Principal...
March 11 seems so long ago and yet, it seems like only days. The WYSO Youth Orchestra had just completed two amazing dress rehearsals in preparation for a sold out March 13 concert at the Hamel Music Center. On the program just before intermission was the William Tell Overture by Rossini. The Youth Orchestra had been rehearsing for weeks: the horns, the...
WYSO has received nearly $90,000 of brand-new percussion equipment, courtesy of a private family foundation who wishes to remain anonymous. This generous gift was made possible because of the family’s history with, passion for, and active engagement with WYSO. The incredible gift includes 10 copper bowl timpani, 4 marimbas, a xylophone, vibraphone, chimes,...
The Rabin Youth Arts awards are presented each year to an organization or individual that has made a significant contribution in the area of Youth Arts. This year's award for Artistic Achievement (for making a significant contribution in an area such as teaching, program development, or leadership in performance) has been awarded by an illustrious panel of...
When the WYSO staff realized that rehearsals and group in-person classes were effectively canceled for Spring, WYSO Music Director Kyle Knox and Membership Manager Valree Casey sprang into action. They created a schedule, recruited the sectional and chamber coaches to teach, and on Saturday, March 28, the first of the Orchestra Zoom Coachings took place....
From our new residence in the beautiful McFarland Performing Arts Center to our new-found skills in online teaching and virtual performance, this coming Fall is looking full of promise and transformational change. What are the scenarios? Possibilities are still developing, but here are three scenarios for how WYSO’s Fall Season could play out. The WYSO...
The Spring WYSO Music Makers Recital streamed live on Saturday, May 30th at 1:00 pm, directly from the WYSO Music Makers Facebook Page. This program featured over 20 Music Makers students who have just completed the Spring season of studying music via Zoom, Facebook, FaceTime, Skype, and Google Meets. A total of 779 online classes (private and small group...
An invitation from McFarland’s School Superintendent, a brand new state-of-the-art performing arts center, and the changing picture at the UW all worked together to create an exciting new home where the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras will be in residence beginning Fall 2020.
Gift of Percussion
Gift of Music
Gift of Touring
Gift of Experience
A Timely Gift of Stocks