About the Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra

The Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra (WSYO) offers young musicians from the tri-state area a formal venue in which to train and perform.  The WSYO offers two ensembles – the Sinfonietta, geared toward junior high students, and the Philharmonic, geared toward high school and college students.

Members of both ensembles are provided with a professional musical environment and tutelage by Music Director Shaun Hancher. WSYO musicians are offered training opportunities with professional musicians of the WSO, guest conducting sessions with WSO Music Director John Devlin, and side-by-side concert experiences at Wheeling Symphony Orchestra concerts.

Competitive auditions draw students from West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Rehearsals are held weekly from September through April, and the WSYO presents two primary concerts each year that are free and open to the public. 

The WSYO is currently accepting auditions for new members. Please read below for information on how to audition.

WSYO Fall 2024 Information

The Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra will be holding auditions for participation in the Philharmonic ensemble for its fall concert on November 25, 2024. Each student will be required to submit a video demonstrating their ability to play the following:

Violin
1. F Major scale in 2 octaves (at Quarter Note = 80)
2. Excerpt #1: The Moldau; pickup to M. 13-34 (end after dotted half note)
3. Excerpt #2: The Moldau; M. 63-71

Viola
1. F Major scale in 2 octaves (at Quarter Note = 80)
2. Excerpt #1: The Moldau; M. 47-downbeat of 63
3. Excerpt #2: The Moldau; M. 164-end

Cello
1. F Major scale in 2 octaves (at Quarter Note = 80)
2. Excerpt #1: The Moldau; M. 29-downbeat of 38
3. Excerpt #2: Fire in the Forge; M. 1-downbeat of 9

Bass
1. G Major scale in 2 octaves (at Quarter Note = 80)
2. Excerpt #1: The Moldau; M. 55-downbeat of 63
3. Excerpt #2: Fire in the Forge; M. 1-downbeat of 9

Audition materials are available in a designated Google Drive audition folder, which is linked below.

All videos should be submitted using the designated Google Form linked below by September 9, 2024. Students will receive an email of their acceptance into the ensemble by September 13, 2024. Only students that have NOT participated in the Philharmonic in past years are required to audition.

Guidelines for video submissions:
1. All audition materials must be submitted in one video. Additional videos will only be accepted if you are auditioning on more than one instrument.
2. Please title your videos like so (Your Name_WSYO) before submitting.
3. If you would like to audition for more than one instrument, please include the instrument name in the video title. (i.e. Your Name_Instrument Name_WSYO)
4. Make sure your submissions do not exceed 10 GB.

Link to Audition Materials:
Click Here!
Link to Submission Form:
Click Here!
If you have any questions about the audition or submission process please email:
jsivert@wheelingsymphony.com.

We look forward to hearing your submissions!