Youth Orchestra Program

The Westmoreland Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO) was founded in 1981 to provide area music students with a high-quality, educational experience in playing and appreciating orchestral music. 

Coming Soon:
WYSO Summer Festival:  July 15-19, 20246 p.m.-9 p.m. registration now open!

Our Ensembles:

  • WYSO PhilharmonicUnder the direction of Adam Gillespie, the Philharmonic is an auditioned ensemble comprised of high school and advanced middle school musicians that performs music from the standard orchestral repertoire. Applicants should possess a strong knowledge of musical fundamentals including major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats. 
  • WYSO Philharmonia: The perfect stepping stone for young musicians, this intermediate-level ensemble is likely to be the first experience for young musicians to play in an ensemble of woodwinds, brass, and strings. Applicants should possess a basic knowledge of musical fundamentals including major scales up to 3 sharps and 3 flats.
  • WYSO String EnsembleDesigned for elementary school string players, this training ensemble nurtures the talent of even the youngest or most inexperienced musicians. WYSO String Ensemble is offered pending sufficient ensemble registration.

2023-24 DETAILS

WYSO Ensemble Application Form (required for new students, current members do not need to fill out the form)

CONCERTS
April 28, 2024 – 7:30 p.m. (Performers arrive at 6:00 p.m.)
Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center
100 Harrison Ave, Greensburg, PA 15601

REHEARSALS
Sunday evenings at Seton Hill University
Philharmonic: 6:00 – 8:30 pm (2.5 hrs)
Philharmonia: 6:00 – 8 pm (2.0 hrs)

The first Philharmonic/Philharmonia rehearsal is scheduled for Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 6:00pm.

AUDITIONS
Saturday,  January 27, 2024
Beginning at 10:30 am at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center
951 Old Salem Rd., Greensburg, 15601

Contact Ramona Coppage at [email protected] to schedule an audition.

Details:

  • Auditions are required for new members 
  • They will be approx. 10 minutes in length. 

Requirements:

    • Brass/Winds:
      • Majors Scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats (two octaves when possible)
      • Concert B-flat chromatic scale (two octaves when possible)
      • Excerpt from an etude or solo of your choosing (2-5 minutes in length)
      • Sight reading
    • Strings:
      • Majors Scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats (two octaves; three octaves when possible. Legato, staccato, pizzicato)
      • Excerpt from an etude or solo of your choosing (2-5 minutes in length)
      • Sight reading 

TUITION
Regular Tuition
Philharmonic: $250/semester ($490/year)
Philharmonia: $170/semester ($330/year)
String Ensemble: $105/semester (pending enrollment)

Second/Third Child Reduced Rate

Philharmonic: $170/semester ($325/year)
Philharmonia: $115/semester ($220/year)
String Ensemble: $70/semester (pending enrollment)

Payment can be made via check, cash, or card (3% service fee applies).

>PAY WYSO TUITION ONLINE

Note: Need-based scholarships are available to a number of students. To be considered, please complete the scholarship application (link below) and Michael Rozell will be in contact with you after a determination has been made. 

>NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

2023-2024 Season

Learn More

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