WILMINGTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
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WILMINGTON SYMPHONY
​JUNIOR STRINGS

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Our Mission:   
The mission of the   Wilmington Symphony Junior Strings   is to enrich the lives of Cape Fear area youth by providing talented young string players with unique orchestral training and performing opportunities.
Applications are currently closed.  They will be   available again  June 2023.
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Facts at a Glance:
  • Open to 6th – 8th grade youth (and 4th and 5th grades with consultation)
  • Rehearsals are 7:15-8:15 p.m. Thursday evenings during the school year at Roland-Grise Middle School (4412 Lake Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403)
  • Tuition is $85 per semester (pay tuition here)
  • The orchestra performs two or more times each semester!​
​Questions about the Junior Strings?    Contact the   Junior Strings Conductor.
  • Membership Guidelines
  • Lisa Gattuso, Conductor
  • Rehearsal and Concert Schedule
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MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES

The   Wilmington Symphony Junior Strings   is an educational program of the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra and   is   intended to compliment the important educational experience of the individual's school music programs.   Participation in   both the Junior Strings and school ensemble is this program's cornerstone and helps ensures maximum music ensemble benefit and practical performance experience for students.

Auditions and Application:   Audition date,  music download and   online application are   here. Membership is for a year for those accepted in fall auditions and for a semester for those accepted at January auditions.

Tuition:   Tuition is $85.00 per member per semester and is payable at the start of each semester upon notification of acceptance in the Junior Strings, following a successful audition.   ​
(pay tuition here)

Scholarships:   Scholarships may be granted to qualifying students and are awarded on the basis of need. Working scholarships, in exchange for deferred tuition amounts, may be arranged by the Junior Strings Director. Scholarships must be applied for in writing immediately following notification of acceptance and prior to the first rehearsal.

Seating:   For the fall semester, seating will be assigned at the time of audition. Seating may be rotated from time to time.

Music:   No music deposit is required for each student before receiving a music folder. However, Junior Strings members are financially responsible for the music issued to them that is lost or defaced. Any marking in the music must be made lightly in soft pencil only. Music must be turned in: a) when requested by the conductor or youth orchestra manager; b) if you leave the orchestra, or c) at the end of the concert season.

Rehearsals:   Musicians are expected to prepare rehearsal material at home. Rehearsals begin promptly at the announced time. Musicians need to be there at least 15 minutes before the rehearsal begins so they can warm up and tune.   During rehearsals, you are expected to follow the directions of the music director, conducting staff, general manager and other volunteer coordinators. Musicians are also expected to help maintain a wholesome atmosphere while focusing on the orchestral training.

Rehearsal Schedule:   Junior Strings: Thursdays 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Roland-Grise Middle School (4412) Lake Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403


Attendance:   100 percent attendance is important to make a rehearsal worthwhile for the orchestra as a whole. Attendance is taken. Excused absence is permitted in cases of illness, emergency, or special circumstances   pre-arranged   with the general manager. Three (3) tardies are considered equal to one absence. To be considered on time, musicians need to be in their seats with instruments ready when the concertmaster begins the tuning process. Musicians with more than two absences before a concert may be asked not to perform in that concert.

Concert Dress:
  • Ladies:  long black skirt or pants with black dress shirt with sleeves (and no open midriff); black shoes - no sandals.
  • Gentlemen: Black pants and black shirt; black shoes and black socks.
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Lisa Gattuso is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she received her Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 2010 and her Master of Music Education Degree in 2014. She also received her National Board Certification in 2017. Ms. Gattuso has taught Orchestra and Guitar at Noble MS and Holly Shelter MS, and is now teaching Orchestra and Music Appreciation at Roland-Grise Middle School. This is her 12th year working in New Hanover County and 3rd year as Orchestra Lead for NHCS.

Ms. Gattuso has been the event chair for the NC Eastern Region Solo and Ensemble Competition for eight years. Students under her direction have participated in All County and State orchestra events, and have received ratings of "Excellent" and "Superior" at the State Music Performance Adjudication Competition as well as Solo and Ensemble. Ms. Gattuso was also a coach for the UNCG Summer Music Camp for eight years and taught orchestra at the NHCS Summer Camp.

In addition to Junior Strings, Ms. Gattuso is also the director of Rockestra, a new program through the WSYO. When outside of the classroom she performs with the Wilmington Symphony, Tallis Chamber Orchestra, performs for weddings and other private events, teaches a private instrumental studio, and loves to travel as much as possible.
All rehearsals are mandatory. Two or more missed rehearsals exclude you from the concert.
 Rockestra 7:00-8:15
Junior Strings
7:15-8:15

​Youth Orchestra
​7:30-8:45
Event
​Location
Jan. 11
Jan. 18
Jan. 25
Feb. 1
Feb. 8
Feb. 15
Feb. 22
Mar. 1
​Jan. 12
Jan. 19
Jan. 26
Feb. 2
Feb. 9
Feb. 16
Feb. 23
Mar. 2
Rehearsal
 Rockestra - CFCC Orch. Room

Junior Strings - Roland-Grise MS
​
Youth Orchestra - UNCW CAB
Mar. 5
Mar. 5
Dress Rehearsal
Rockestra - 1:45
Youth Orchestra - 2:30
Junior Strings - 3:00

Concert - 4:00
Kenan Auditorium
Mar. 8 - No rehearsal
Mar.  15
Mar. 22
Mar. 29
Apr. 5
Apr.   12 - No rehearsal
Apr. 19
Apr. 26
Mar. 9 - No rehearsal
Mar. 16
Mar. 23
Mar. 30
Apr. 6
Apr. 13 - No rehearsal
Apr. 20
Apr. 27
​Rehearsal
 Rockestra - CFCC Orch. Room

Junior Strings - Roland-Grise MS
​
Youth Orchestra - UNCW CAB
Apr. 30
Apr. 30
Dress Rehearsal
Rockestra - 1:45
Youth Orchestra - 2:30
Junior Strings - 3:00

Concert - 4:00
​Kenan Auditorium
Wilmington Symphony Concert - Wilson Center
Saturday, February 4- WSO Concert @ 7:30
Sunday, February 26- WSO Concert @ 7:30
Saturday, April 15- WSO Concert @ 7:30
Saturday, May 13- WSO Concert @ 7:30

*Be aware that on the weeks of WSO concerts there might be masterclasses held on those weekends for WSYO students to attend. ​
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5032 Randall Parkway
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 791-9262

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  • Home
  • About
    • Conductor
    • Orchestra >
      • Hire Our Musicians
      • Musician Bios
    • Board and Staff
    • WSO Historical Timeline
    • Auditions & Employment
    • WSYO Alumni >
      • Alumni Bios
    • Press Room
  • Concerts & Tickets
    • 2022-2023 Season >
      • Gullah-Geechee Heritage
      • Classical Connections
      • Shostakovich Fifth Symphony
    • Education Concert
    • Wilmington POPS!
    • Youth Concerts
    • COVID-19
  • Education
    • Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestras >
      • Youth Orchestra
      • Junior Strings
      • Rockestra
    • WSYO Chamber Ensemble Program
    • Concerto Competition
  • Contribute
    • Individual Giving >
      • Donor Advised Funds
    • Events
    • Corporate and Foundation Support
    • Music Underwriting
    • Legacy Gifts and Endowment
    • SUPPORT
  • FOR MUSICIANS