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Strings
Youth Symphony
with Timothy Shade

Founded in 1947, the Youth Symphony Orchestra is recognized as the foremost youth orchestra in central Kansas and features top student musicians and emerging orchestral masterpieces throughout Kansas and northern Oklahoma. Members perform a wide variety of standard and emerging orchestral masterpieces, including full symphonies and works by living composers. The Youth Symphony performs two concerts at Century II Concert Hall each season. Members meet in regular sectionals with professional community musicians and members of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. The Youth Symphony is open to students entering grades 7 through 12.
Schedule:
The schedule is subject to change or move locations. Please check you weekly emails to ensure you stay up to date.
2526 WSYO Youth Symphony Schedule
Youth Symphony Retreat
Students in Youth Symphony get the exciting opportunity to paticipate in our yearly retreat. This is a seven hour event that involves rehearsals, sectionals and activities throughout the day. Lunch is provided.
2526 WSYO Youth Symphony Retreat
Music
The music is here! Seating audition excerpts, violin placements, and all your materials are waiting for you in the Google Drive. Go take a peek! Cello and Bass music has not yet been bowed properly but is still available.
Usher Director Application Now Open!
The WSYO Usher Program offers a unique opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to grow as leaders while supporting the Wichita Symphony’s concert operations. Selected Usher Directors will take on a paid leadership role, supervising usher teams at Symphony concerts, building real-world skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Applicants should be dedicated, reliable, and experienced members of the Usher Program.
Applications are due by 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 16.
Apply Here: Usher Director Application
Handbook:
All students and parents are asked to review the WSYO Handbook before the season begins. Familiarizing yourself with the program’s policies and procedures is essential to ensuring a smooth and successful season.
2526 WSYO Youth Wind Ensemble Schedule
Parent Volunteers:
Want to be more involved this season? WSYO relies on the support of dedicated parents like you to help our young musicians thrive. There are many ways to pitch in throughout the year, check here for current opportunities!
Seating auditons: During the first few weeks of rehearsals, we will hold seating auditions. These typically take 30 minutes to 2 hours, and parent volunteers are needed to assist with check-in. Consider signing up for one of the available dates to support the WSYO program:
SignUp Genius - Seating Auditions
Youth Talent Auditions
Students have the opportunity to audition in December for the Young Artist Concerto Competition or the Young Musician Award. Only seniors may participate in the Concerto Competition and could win a soloist spot for the Spring Concert. The Young Musician Award involves a scholarship for students to attend a summer music festival. Listed below are the Youth Talent Rules and Regulations and the Approved Repertoire for the Young Artist Concerto Competition.
Introductory String Orchestra
with Madeline Crawford

Ages: 8 - 15
Our youngest orchestra, the Introductory String Orchestra is WSYO's smallest string orchestra, and it prepares young musicians to advance into the Youth Chamber Players and Repertory Orchestra as they grow and develop their skills. Members improve individual playing technique, develop ensemble skills, and gain valuable performing experience in a concentrated, small group setting. They perform two concerts at Century II Concert Hall each season. The Introductory String Orchestra is open to students entering grades 4 through 9.
Schedule:
The schedule is subject to change or move locations. Please check you weekly emails to ensure you stay up to date.
2526 WSYO Introductory String Orchestra Schedule
Music
Music is now available in the drive! Follow the link below to find your instruments pieces. Paper copies of music and folders will still be handed out on the first day of rehearsal. Violin placements are available in the folder as well.
Handbook:
All students and parents are asked to review the WSYO Handbook before the season begins. Familiarizing yourself with the program’s policies and procedures is essential to ensuring a smooth and successful season.
Parent Volunteers:
Want to be more involved this season? WSYO relies on the support of dedicated parents like you to help our young musicians thrive. There are many ways to pitch in throughout the year, check here for current opportunities!
Seating auditons: During the first few weeks of rehearsals, we will hold seating auditions. These typically take 30 minutes to 2 hours, and parent volunteers are needed to assist with check-in. Consider signing up for one of the available dates to support the WSYO program: SignUp Genius - Seating Auditions
Youth Talent Auditions
Students have the opportunity to audition in December for the Young Artist Concerto Competition or the Young Musician Award. Only seniors may participate in the Concerto Competition and could win a soloist spot for the Spring Concert. The Young Musician Award involves a scholarship for students to attend a summer music festival. Listed below are the Youth Talent Rules and Regulations and the Approved Repertoire for the Young Artist Concerto Competition.
Repertory Orchestra
with Eric Crawford

Ages: 11 - 18
The Repertory Orchestra provides members with the opportunities to provide orchestral masterpieces and contemporary film music. This intermediate orchestra prepares its membersfor musical participation in the Youth Symphony, and members also meet in regular sectionals with professional communtiy musicians and members of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. They perform two concerts on the Century II Concert Hall each season. The Repertory Orchestra is open to students entering grades 7 through 12.
Schedule:
The schedule is subject to change or move locations. Please check you weekly emails to ensure you stay up to date.
2526 WSYO Repertory Orchestra Schedule
Music
Music is now available in the drive! Follow the link below to find your instruments pieces. Paper copies of music and folders will still be handed out on the first day of rehearsal. Violin placements are available in the folder as well. At this time the conductor has not made public the seating audition excerpts. Cello and Bass music does not ahve the proper fingerings and bowings yet but will be updated as soon as available.
Usher Director Application Now Open!
The WSYO Usher Program offers a unique opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to grow as leaders while supporting the Wichita Symphony’s concert operations. Selected Usher Directors will take on a paid leadership role, supervising usher teams at Symphony concerts, building real-world skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Applicants should be dedicated, reliable, and experienced members of the Usher Program.
Applications are due by 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 16.
Apply Here: Usher Director Application
Handbook:
All students and parents are asked to review the WSYO Handbook before the season begins. Familiarizing yourself with the program’s policies and procedures is essential to ensuring a smooth and successful season.
Parent Volunteers:
Want to be more involved this season? WSYO relies on the support of dedicated parents like you to help our young musicians thrive. There are many ways to pitch in throughout the year, check here for current opportunities!
Seating auditons: During the first few weeks of rehearsals, we will hold seating auditions. These typically take 30 minutes to 2 hours, and parent volunteers are needed to assist with check-in. Consider signing up for one of the available dates to support the WSYO program: SignUp Genius - Seating Auditions
Youth Talent Auditions
Students have the opportunity to audition in December for the Young Artist Concerto Competition or the Young Musician Award. Only seniors may participate in the Concerto Competition and could win a soloist spot for the Spring Concert. The Young Musician Award involves a scholarship for students to attend a summer music festival. Listed below are the Youth Talent Rules and Regulations and the Approved Repertoire for the Young Artist Concerto Competition.
Youth Chamber Players
with Catherine Tummons

Ages: 6 - 18
The Youth Chamber Players is a WSYO string orchestra, and it prepares young musicians to advance into the Repertory Orchestra as they grow and develop their skills. Members improve individual playing technique, develop ensemble skills, and gain valuable performing experience. They perform two concerts at Century II Concert Hall each season. The Youth Chamber Players is open to students entering grades 4 through 10.
Schedule:
The schedule is subject to change or move locations. Please check you weekly emails to ensure you stay up to date.
2526 WSYO Youth Chamber Players Schedule
Music
Music is now available in the drive! Follow the link below to find your instruments pieces. Paper copies of music and folders will still be handed out on the first day of rehearsal. Violin placements are available in the folder as well. At this point in time, seating audition excerpts are not yet public for this ensemble.
Usher Director Application Now Open!
The WSYO Usher Program offers a unique opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to grow as leaders while supporting the Wichita Symphony’s concert operations. Selected Usher Directors will take on a paid leadership role, supervising usher teams at Symphony concerts, building real-world skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Applicants should be dedicated, reliable, and experienced members of the Usher Program.
Applications are due by 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 16.
Apply Here: Usher Director Application
Handbook:
All students and parents are asked to review the WSYO Handbook before the season begins. Familiarizing yourself with the program’s policies and procedures is essential to ensuring a smooth and successful season.
Parent Volunteers:
Want to be more involved this season? WSYO relies on the support of dedicated parents like you to help our young musicians thrive. There are many ways to pitch in throughout the year, check here for current opportunities!
Seating auditons: During the first few weeks of rehearsals, we will hold seating auditions. These typically take 30 minutes to 2 hours, and parent volunteers are needed to assist with check-in. Consider signing up for one of the available dates to support the WSYO program:
SignUp Genius - Seating Auditions
Youth Talent Auditions
Students have the opportunity to audition in December for the Young Artist Concerto Competition or the Young Musician Award. Only seniors may participate in the Concerto Competition and could win a soloist spot for the Spring Concert. The Young Musician Award involves a scholarship for students to attend a summer music festival. Listed below are the Youth Talent Rules and Regulations and the Approved Repertoire for the Young Artist Concerto Competition.
2526 WSYO Youth Talent Rules and Regulations
2526 WSYO Youth Talent Auditions Approved Repertoire List