Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra
The Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra(WYSO)was established in 1966 by Professor Marvin Rabin of the University of Wisconsin-Extension Music Department. It is currently located in the Humanities Building in Madison, Wisconsin. There is nearly 3,000 young musicians, aging from 9-18, and come from more than 100 communities in southern Wisconsin. WYSO is currently under the artistic direction of James Smith. Mr. Smith conducts conducting the University Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra while continuing in his position as Music Director of the University Opera. He has performed with the Empire Sinfonietta in New York City, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the Miami Philharmonic. While in New York, he appeared as soloist with the Empire Sinfonietta performing Aaron Copland's Clarinet Concerto at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall with Aaron Copland conducting. From New York, he moved to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to conduct the Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band. Two years later, Mr. Smith was invited by the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras to become their Music Director, a position he continues to enjoy.
WYSO, during its 40 years of Providing excellent music, experience for the kids as well as parents, and learning music from Bizet's Carmen to the Phantom of Opera, Lord of the Rings, to Hayden, Mozart, Beethoven, and so on. It includes three full orchestras and a string orchestra, a chamber music program, a harp program, a percussion ensemble, and a brass choir program. To get into WYSO, one must be able to play an instrument and pay an audition fee along with a tuition fee if you made it into an orchestra. Sinfonietta is the lowest level and does not include percussion, brass, or woodwinds. Most of the kids in it range from 9-13 years old. Concert is the next level and gives kids there first taste of being in a full orchestra which includes percussion, brass, woodwinds and the occasional harp and drum set. Age group ranges from 9-18 years old. Philharmonia is the third level, also with a full orchestra. They play more advanced pieces. Age ranges from 11-18 years old. Youth orchestra is the highest group and you must audition again even to keep your seat two years in a roll until you are allowed to stay without an audition.
Every year, each orchestra goes on A Tour. Sinfonietta mainly goes to elementary schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) and schools near Madison for a day. Concert will go out of the city and once in a while out of Dane County playing in elementary schools to high schools though the majority is in middle schools. Philharmonia will also go out of the city but will travel farther, mainly playing in high schools. Youth is the same as Philharmonia but on occasion, they will be asked to play out of state. Not only that but every 2-3 years, during the summer months, the Youth orchestra will go on an extended trip lasting for a week to two weeks internationally. In the past, the tour has gone to England, Scotland, Taiwan, Japan, Spain, France, Canada, and Eastern Europe.