Orchestras

Youth Orchestra

Kyle Knox, Music Director & Youth Orchestra Conductor

Program Type: Premier full orchestra  |  Minimum Age: 13  |  Playing Level: Pre-college or college level

Youth Orchestra is WYSO’s premier orchestra and performs advanced repertoire comparable to that found in pre-college and collegiate programs. Members are expected to demonstrate highly developed technical ability, musical independence, strong preparation, and professional ensemble skills.

String players should demonstrate secure technique throughout the full range of the instrument, including advanced shifting, double stops, chords, harmonics, and sophisticated bow control across a variety of styles and articulations. Vibrato should be highly developed and used with musical intention.

Winds, brass, and percussion players should perform individually at a pre-college or college level. Players should demonstrate refined tone production, command of the instrument’s range, advanced technical and rhythmic facility, strong sight-reading, and the musical independence required for challenging orchestral repertoire.

Philharmonia Orchestra

Michelle Kaebisch, Philharmonia Orchestra

Program Type: Full orchestra  |  Minimum Age: 12  |  Playing Level: Advanced high school

Philharmonia performs advanced orchestral literature at the high school level. Members are expected to demonstrate strong technical independence, musical maturity, preparation, and ensemble awareness.

String players should demonstrate confident shifting throughout much of the instrument’s range, refined vibrato control, strong tone production, and reliable execution of advanced bowing techniques, including off-the-string strokes. Students maintain consistent intonation in complex passages and demonstrate strong sight-reading and musical independence.

Winds, brass, and percussion players should perform individually at an advanced high school level and demonstrate secure technique, mature tone production, strong rhythmic accuracy, reliable sight-reading, and the ability to perform independently within demanding orchestral repertoire.

Concert Orchestra

Christine Mata Eckel, Concert Orchestra

Program Type: Full orchestra  |  Minimum Age: 11  |  Playing Level: Intermediate to advanced high school

Concert Orchestra serves as WYSO’s gateway to the full orchestra experience and performs a combination of original orchestral works and standard repertoire.

String players should demonstrate reliable shifting through third and fifth positions, consistent vibrato, secure intonation and tone quality, increasingly expressive playing, and growing facility with advanced bow strokes such as spiccato and hooked bowings. Students are comfortable performing in major and minor key signatures of up to four sharps and three flats, often expanding to five sharps and five flats.

Winds, brass, and percussion players should perform individually at an intermediate to advanced level and demonstrate reliable tone production, rhythmic accuracy, technical control, sight-reading ability, and ensemble awareness.

Sinfonietta Orchestra

Geri Nolden, Sinfonietta Conductor

Program Type: Developing string orchestra  |  Minimum Age: 10  |  Playing Level: Developing to intermediate

Sinfonietta is designed for string musicians with prior ensemble and private-study experience. Students demonstrate increasing technical independence and musical maturity. Players should be comfortable shifting between first and third positions, with emerging use of higher positions as required by the repertoire. Vibrato is becoming more consistent, and students continue developing tone quality, bow control, intonation, and expressive playing. Members read comfortably in key signatures of up to four sharps and three flats.

Opus One Orchestra

Steve Kurr, Conductor

Program Type: Introductory string orchestra  |  Minimum Age: 8  |  Playing Level: Foundational

Opus One is designed for young musicians beginning their ensemble experience. Students develop foundational orchestral and technical skills while building confidence as ensemble musicians. Players should demonstrate developing music-reading skills, a steady sense of pulse, reliable intonation in first position, and an understanding of basic ensemble etiquette. Students are typically comfortable performing in key signatures of up to three sharps and one flat.