Fall Auditions for the 21-22 Season
Interested in auditioning? Submit your application online.
No perspective or accepted WYO student has been turned away due to financial hardship, WYO works with every family individually to ensure their child can participate in our program. We can assist with carpools, financial aid and other concerns you may have that would effect your child participating in our program. Please email us at info@worcesteryouthorchestras.org
Covid-19 & WYO for the 2021-2022 Season
WYO has successfully held in-person rehearsals since late August 2020 following strict Covid-19 safety protocols including health screening, mandatory masking, social distancing and woodwind/brass bell covers. Rehearsals were held indoors and outdoors with
no cases of transmission. WYO complied with all public gathering limits set by state as well as a remote-only option.
For the upcoming season, WYO will hold in-person rehearsals in accordance with all state and local ordinances. Please note, as of Fall 2021, that masking will be required regardless of vaccination status. The safety and health of our students and staff is paramount.
Update: 10/8/2021
The WYO Board of Directors passed two policies regarding WYO Students & Covid-19 Vaccinations.
Please click here to download the Covid-19 Vaccination Policies.
Questions regarding this policy should be directed to Co-Chairs Michelle Howard & Tony Hubbard at wyochair@worcesteryouthorchestras.org
WYO has successfully held in-person rehearsals since late August 2020 following strict Covid-19 safety protocols including health screening, mandatory masking, social distancing and woodwind/brass bell covers. Rehearsals were held indoors and outdoors with
no cases of transmission. WYO complied with all public gathering limits set by state as well as a remote-only option.
For the upcoming season, WYO will hold in-person rehearsals in accordance with all state and local ordinances. Please note, as of Fall 2021, that masking will be required regardless of vaccination status. The safety and health of our students and staff is paramount.
Update: 10/8/2021
The WYO Board of Directors passed two policies regarding WYO Students & Covid-19 Vaccinations.
Please click here to download the Covid-19 Vaccination Policies.
Questions regarding this policy should be directed to Co-Chairs Michelle Howard & Tony Hubbard at wyochair@worcesteryouthorchestras.org
our orchestras & Ensembles
WYO offers various programs with different orchestras & bands for various stages of a student's development. The Worcester Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO) is for older and advanced musicians while the Worcester Youth Philharmonic (WYP) & String Orchestra are for players that have had less experience playing in an orchestral setting and receive intensive training in playing in a larger full orchestra ensemble. The WY Wind Ensemble explores a wide variety of band literature and the WY Jazz Program provides students with wide range of traditional and contemporary jazz repertoire. WYO is also pleased to offer chamber music through its Honors Program.
Members of the Worcester Youth Orchestra enjoy a variety of orchestral literature and the opportunity to perform in some of the finest concert halls in the state. Our offices and home is at glorious Mechanics Hall, where we present 4-5 concerts there each season, in addition to venues across Worcester County. Weekly rehearsals are held in Shrewsbury & Worcester.
For the Honors Program, CLICK HERE For the Jazz Program, CLICK HERE For the Wind Ensemble Program, CLICK HERE
Members of the Worcester Youth Orchestra enjoy a variety of orchestral literature and the opportunity to perform in some of the finest concert halls in the state. Our offices and home is at glorious Mechanics Hall, where we present 4-5 concerts there each season, in addition to venues across Worcester County. Weekly rehearsals are held in Shrewsbury & Worcester.
For the Honors Program, CLICK HERE For the Jazz Program, CLICK HERE For the Wind Ensemble Program, CLICK HERE
Symphonic divisionWorcester Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO)
WYO’s top orchestra is open to advanced students seeking challenging music and orchestral training. WYSO performs one to two “masterworks” a semester by major composers in addition to smaller works and collaborations with other ensembles. Open to advanced players, admission is through competitive audition with students being in 8th grade and above. Recent works performed are Beethoven Symphony No. 9 "Choral" with the Nashoba Valley Chorale, Gerhswin's Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris.
Average size is 70-80 students, depending on repertoire. WYSO string and winds/brass members also have the benefit of working with monthly coaches and mentors, learning further orchestral and string technique. In Spring 2017, WYSO toured Montreal & Quebec. In February 2019, WYSO toured the Czech Republic for a 7 days. More Information Here WORCESTER YOUTH BAROQUE & CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (WYBO)
A chamber orchestra that focuses on repertoire and performance practice from the Baroque Era. A highly competitive ensemble, average size is 15-25 students. Enrollment is open to all string students and a few limited spots for wind players. The orchestra performs the masterworks by Handel, Vivaldi and Bach, as well as lesser known gems from the Baroque Era. The orchestra performs in small intimate venues with a limited but focused rehearsal period. In addition, students have the opportunity to play on baroque instruments.
Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings in the Fall & Spring. More Information Here |
young artists prep divisionWorcester Youth Philharmonic (WYP)A full orchestra (winds/brass/percussion/strings) is comprised of younger musicians seeking ensemble experience in a welcoming but hardworking atmosphere. Students learn to play in large full orchestral ensembles, follow a conductor and are introduced to the major composers and works. Rehearsals are sometimes divided into string sectionals and the full ensemble. Membership is open to 6th graders and above, with string members being accepted in 5th grade. Admission is through audition, average size is 50-60 players. WYP usually collaborates with WYSO on one piece per concert. Players are highly encouraged to join WYP and gain the necessary orchestral training before auditioning for WYSO.
More Information Here String Orchestra
Our string orchestra is an excellent way for string players to develop their ensemble technique as well as focus on their skills as emerging violinists, violists and cellists. Each week the orchestra focuses on scales, arpeggios and works on their own string repertoire. Most students are 5th grade and above. We highly encourage our younger string players to play in this group as it provides them with an excellent foundation in their instrumental development. The string orchestra usually performs 1-2 pieces with the Philharmonic in every concert, in addition to their own pieces. Many Philharmonic strings play in both groups to receive extra training.
More Information Here |
School Music Program Participation Policy:
WYO training and performance opportunities are intended to supplement school music programs. It is the policy of the Worcester Youth Orchestras that each musician participates in his/her school music program, if offered at the musician’s school as part of the school day curriculum. As WYO helps to advocate for the school music programs, music educators help promote and encourage their students to participate in WYO. This policy has been a very important way to build both programs and to build community and a positive reputation for WYO. As regards the school music participation policy, WYO recognizes that some school music classes may conflict with other school core curriculum, electives, and AP classes. In such cases, WYO believes the musician’s family must make the best academic choice for their child.
WYO training and performance opportunities are intended to supplement school music programs. It is the policy of the Worcester Youth Orchestras that each musician participates in his/her school music program, if offered at the musician’s school as part of the school day curriculum. As WYO helps to advocate for the school music programs, music educators help promote and encourage their students to participate in WYO. This policy has been a very important way to build both programs and to build community and a positive reputation for WYO. As regards the school music participation policy, WYO recognizes that some school music classes may conflict with other school core curriculum, electives, and AP classes. In such cases, WYO believes the musician’s family must make the best academic choice for their child.
