Blog

Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras is pleased to announce that the Verona Area Community Theater (VACT) is the recipient of the 2019 Rabin Youth Arts Award. VACT was recognized in the “Artistic Achievement” category, which “recognizes an individual or organization who has made a significant contribution in areas such as teaching, program development,...

Last summer, WYSO alumna Emily Stephenson became familiar with the Minnesota Literacy Council while teaching a literacy class to children as a Summer Reads VISTA volunteer. “I had such a life changing experience that I chose to continue my service with the Minnesota Literacy Council,” Emily said. “I am passionate about the immense impact improving literacy...

The Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras is proud to announce the Stanley and Shirley Inhorn Scholarship Fund, a new scholarship fund established with the goal of expanding access to WYSO programs and opportunities available to young musicians. Initiated with a $10,000 lead gift from WYSO Life Trustees Stanley and Shirley Inhorn, this fund will help...

Held Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19 on the Edgewood College campus in Madison, the WYSO Chamber Music Camp is designed for musicians ages 11 to 18 interested in developing their performance and preparation skills with their peers in a fun, relaxed setting. Camp is open to all strings players, pre-formed woodwind and brass groups, and all non-WYSO...

Youth Orchestra will once again participate in a free side by side concert with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra on Tuesday, May 21 at 7:30 at Overture Hall in Madison. The program includes two solo concerto performances from winners of the annual Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition. Brian Liebau, flute, will perform Harty's In Ireland, and Benjamin Davies...

A special benefit concert for the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras Chamber Music Program, Igor Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale” examines how war can affect us individually and as a society. Now 100 years old, this captivating folktale tells the story of a soldier, a violin, and the devil set to music. What happens when you sell your fiddle in exchange...

WYSO will present the Eugenie Mayer Bolz Family Spring Concerts series on Saturday, May 4 and Saturday, May 18 in Mills Concert Hall, 455 N. Park Street, Madison. Winners of the annual Youth Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra Concerto Competitions will perform a concerto with their orchestra. Youth Orchestra cellist Grace Kim of Waunakee will perform the...

Audition excerpts for the 2019-2020 WYSO season are available here. These excerpts are designed to provide the judges with a basis for adjudicating students on the same materials with the same length of preparation. Excerpts change from year to year. Our online audition registration period runs through April 19, with auditions to be held June 4 through...

Join a tradition of excellence! The audition registration period for the 2019-2020 WYSO season is officially open. Students can learn more about our audition process and book an audition appointment here.  Registration runs through April 22, with auditions to be held June 4 through June 12, 2019 at the UW-Madison Humanities building. Please call our office...

The WYSO Percussion Ensemble will present the 18th Annual Percussion EXTRAVAGANZA! on Saturday, April 6 at 1:30 pm at Mills Concert Hall, 455 N. Park Street, Madison. With a theme of “Spirits Rising,” the 2019 Percussion EXTRAVAGANZA! will feature nearly 150 performers, including instrumentalists, vocalists, and dancers. Guests will hear music from several...

The Art of Note Gala is the signature annual fundraising event for the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras. This event supports world-class music education for dedicated young musicians from across southern Wisconsin. With attendance of over 300 community members, the 2018 gala raised nearly $100,000 in support of the core programming for the students of...

Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras (WYSO) will present the Diane Ballweg Winterfest Concerts series on Saturday, February 16 and Saturday, March 2 in Mills Concert Hall, 455 N. Park Street, Madison. WYSO orchestras will perform pieces from Weber, Dvořák, Bizet, Prokofiev, and more. “These are wonderful works and the orchestras are progressing beautifully...