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.
2024-2025 Dates
Fall Concert: November 24, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
New location: Norwin High School
251 McMahon Dr, North Huntingdon, PA 15642
Spring Start Date: February 2, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Spring Concert: May 4, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Our Ensembles:
- WYSO Philharmonic: Under 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.
- 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.
- WYSO String Ensemble: Designed 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.
2024-25 DETAILS
(required for ALL students )
CONCERTS
Fall Concert: November 24, 2024 – 7:30 p.m. (Performers arrive at 6:00 p.m.)
New location: Norwin High School
251 McMahon Dr, Irwin, PA 15642
Spring Concert: May 4, 2025 – 7:30 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 p.m. (2.5 hrs)
Philharmonia: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. (1.5 hrs)
String Ensemble: 6 – 7 p.m. (1 hr)
AUDITIONS
August 24-25, 2024
Greensburg Garden and Civic Center
951 Old Salem Rd., Greensburg, 15601
Contact Ramona Coppage at wysorc@verizon.net to schedule an audition.
Auditions are required for all students interested in joining the Philharmonic or Philharmonia.
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).
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.
