Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra

The Wisconsin Youth Symphony orchestras annually serves approximately 400 students from up to 15 counties in south central Wisconsin, with nearly 80% residing in dane county communities. In a normal year, students rehearse on 33 saturdays during each season and participate in three or more concerts, as well as an annual in-state tour of public/private schools and community centers. Concerts are important experiences for young musicians, building confidence and functioning as benchmarks in the life of each orchestra. While the bulk of learning takes place in rehearsals and in the practice room, concerts are opportunities to showcase their musical achievements. Wyso's rehearsals and three concert series of the year are its largest programs as well as the main tool in achieving the overall objective of the organization. For each concert weekend, fall, winter, and spring, each of the five orchestras and the wyso music makers presents a concert on either saturday or sunday of the prescribed weekend. These concerts serve our total member population as well as the audience, consisting primarily of family, friends, and local arts supporters. The organization's objective, both short and long term, is to provide exceptional music education experiences through orchestral training and performance opportunities. Additionally, we provide the community an inspiring and low-cost opportunity to hear young people performing classical music at a very high level.