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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.

2024-2025 Dates

Fall Start Date: September 8, 2024 at 6 p.m.
Fall Concert: November 24, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.


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.)

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.

2024-2025 Season

Recent News

Art of Music Gala Event

The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra announces its new Art of Music Gala event on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. The Event […]

22nd WSO Hat Luncheon

Announcing the 22nd Hat Luncheon at the Greensburg Country Club – Saturday, May 18, 2024 The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s annual Hat Luncheon returns to the Greensburg Country Club on Saturday, […]

The WSO Appoints Two New Musicians

The WSO and Artistic Director Daniel Meyer are pleased to announce the appointment of two new musicians. They include Mark Addleman, principal horn, and Alicia Storin, assistant principal cello. Mark […]