Founded in 2001, the mission of the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestras (WSYO) is to enrich the lives of Cape Fear area youth by providing talented young musicians with unique orchestral training and performing opportunities. WSYO is intended as a complement to school music programs and we strongly encourage our members to participate in their school ensembles.
Click on a WSYO ensemble to learn more:
Click on a WSYO ensemble to learn more:
- YOUTH ORCHESTRA (9-12 grade)
- ROCKESTRA (7-12 grade)
- JUNIOR STRINGS (6-8 grade)
WSYO HANDBOOK
WSYO has an attendance policy and 100 percent attendance is important to make a rehearsal worthwhile for the orchestra as a whole and to prepare for the concerts. Excused absence is permitted in cases of illness, emergency, or special circumstances pre-arranged with the conductor or staff.
WSYO SPRING 2023 CALENDAR
WSYO has an attendance policy and 100 percent attendance is important to make a rehearsal worthwhile for the orchestra as a whole and to prepare for the concerts. Excused absence is permitted in cases of illness, emergency, or special circumstances pre-arranged with the conductor or staff.
WSYO SPRING 2023 CALENDAR
AUDITION FOR A WSYO ENSEMBLE:
All youth ensembles will host auditions every year in August and January at UNCW's Cultural Arts Building.
Our ensembles cater to a wide range of age and skill levels. Our offerings for string, wind, brass, and percussion students span young middle school students with a year or more of experience to the most advanced high school students.
Important: All members of WSYO are required to participate in their school’s music program if one is available to them. WSYO is not a replacement for the daily practice and instruction provided by local music educators.
Auditions: January 5, 2023
Application deadline is Friday, December 23
Our ensembles cater to a wide range of age and skill levels. Our offerings for string, wind, brass, and percussion students span young middle school students with a year or more of experience to the most advanced high school students.
Important: All members of WSYO are required to participate in their school’s music program if one is available to them. WSYO is not a replacement for the daily practice and instruction provided by local music educators.
Auditions: January 5, 2023
Application deadline is Friday, December 23
Youth Orchestra
- Open to 9th – 12th grade youth (strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion)
- Tuition is $150 per semester
Rockestra
- Open to 7th – 12th grade youth
- Rockestra Instruments: strings, drum set, guitar, electric bass, keyboard, saxophone. Questions about whether your instrument is accepted? Email our Junior Strings /Rockestra Director, Lisa Gattuso, at lisa.gattuso@nhcs.net
- Tuition is $125 per semester
Junior Strings
- Open to 6th – 8th grade youth (and 4th and 5th grades with consultation)
- Tuition is $85 per semester
