Education & Community Outreach

Arts programming is a critical component of a well-rounded education. The WSO’s commitment to education is demonstrated annually through its Young People’s Concert Tour, Arts in Education programs and Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra. 

The WSO’s education outreach extends to learners of all ages with the Masterworks Concert Talk Series, “Monday Evenings With the Maestro” virtual series, and special community events ranging from Lunch with Books at the Ohio County Public Library to unique festival activities inspired by thoughtful concert programming.

The music of the WSO reaches thousands of Ohio Valley residents each year through free community concerts including the July 4th “Celebrate America Tour” and the Labor Day weekend “Music Under the Stars” concert at Oglebay’s Anne Kuchinka Amphitheater. Throughout the calendar year, free WSO on the Go ensemble performances bring music to unique venues in neighborhoods in Wheeling and the surrounding communities in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Developing future WSO musicians

Education that entertains

Music in YOUR neighborhood

The Magic of Live Music in YOUR schools

Rachael Worby Scholarship – 2026 Application

The Rachael Worby Scholarship Fund offers a One Thousand Dollar ($1,000) scholarship to a high school student graduating in the spring of 2026 to be used for educational purposes in the study of music at an institution of higher education. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of talent and prospective success as a music major at an institution of higher education. Students must reside and attend school in West Virginia counties of Ohio, Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Tyler or Wetzel; Ohio counties of Belmont or Jefferson; or Avella, McGuffey, or Pennsylvania’s Trinity or Washington School Districts. Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra participants who are in at least their second year as members may apply regardless of their place of residence.

The selection process will include the following:

Saturday, March 21, 2026: Applications submitted. (Applications will be accepted by email to glooney@wheelingsymphony.com on or before March 21, 2026.)

  1. Written application.
  2. Video or audio recording of classical work(s) with accompaniment submitted digitally. Accompaniment is not necessary but preferred. You may use your phone for recording. The quality of the recording is critical to your successful application. It is advisable to record under the supervision of a music teacher.
  3. Essay about professional goals and experiences in music.
  4. Two (2) letters of recommendation, at least one from a musician.

Saturday, April 11, 2026: Morning audition and interview at West Liberty University for finalists. If selected as a finalist, you must perform with piano
accompaniment. You may perform the same work(s) as submitted on your recording.

Friday, May 8, 2026: Presentation of the Rachael Worby Scholarship at the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra Concert.

Completed application submissions must be emailed by Saturday, March 21, 2026 to: glooney@wheelingsymphony.com

2026 Rachael Worby Music Scholarship Application