The Westmoreland Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO) was founded in 1981 to provide area music students with a high quality experience in playing and appreciating orchestral music. Since that time, the program has expanded to include three orchestras – the Philharmonic for high school and college students and adults, the String Ensemble for middle school students and Intermezzo for elementary violinists.
The Philharmonic is composed of high school and college students as well as adults. There are several middle school students of exceptional talent who passed the audition to play in the Philharmonic. The Philharmonic also offers a Concerto Competition for its members, with the winner(s) performing at the spring concert each year. A Summer String Workshop is offered every August for string players of all ages. A Chamber Music Program is offered for string quartet and flute ensemble. Eventually these ensemble experiences will be made available to other instrumental groups. A Solo and Ensemble Night, held toward the end of May each year, closes the WYSO Philharmonic’s annual list of offerings.
The String Ensemble is designed for middle school string players. Members study various string techniques while playing great string literature. Once String Ensemble members are able to meet audition criteria for the Philharmonic, they are invited to audition.
Intermezzo is designed for beginning violinists who are taking private lessons and wish to augment their private lessons with a group experience.