The Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestras Rockestra is for high school students and advanced 7th/8th grade students!
- Auditions: Auditions are scheduled every year in August and January. Applications are currently closed. They will be available again June 2023..
- Tuition: $125 per semester (pay tuition here)
- Concerts: Rockestra performs 1-2 concerts each semester.
- Rehearsals: All rehearsals are mandatory. Two or more missed rehearsals exclude you from the concert.
- 7:00-8:30 pm at the Fine Arts Center at Cape Fear Community College
- Dress Rehearsals— 1:45 pm Kenan Auditorium at UNCW
- WYSO Concerts—4:00 pm Kenan Auditorium
The Wilmington Symphony Rockestra includes string instruments as well as instruments not normally used in a classical setting like electric violin, viola, and cello, as well as instruments that are focused on rock, pop, and funk music like the electric guitar, electric bass, saxophone, piano and drum set. This new ensemble explores classical music and how it can be combined with popular forms of music. Rockestra students learn proper technique, improvisation, amplification, and effects, while preparing for fun and unique concerts.
Rockestra is under the direction of Wilmington Symphony Junior Strings/Rockestra conductor, Lisa Gattuso.
Rockestra is under the direction of Wilmington Symphony Junior Strings/Rockestra conductor, Lisa Gattuso.
Questions about the Rockestra? Contact Lisa Gattuso at lisa.gattuso@nhcs.net.
The director of the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestras Rockestra is Lisa Gattuso. She has served as Conductor of the Wilmington Symphony Junior Strings since 2018 and is excited to launch the new Rockestra program!
Ms. 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.
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.
Ms. 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.
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.
