WYSO Parent Orientation
New Members
September 12, 2015
“Enriching lives by providing transformational musical experiences and opportunities.”
Agenda
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Welcome
Overview of WYSO
WYSO Staff
Season Schedule
Chamber Ensembles
Staying Informed
Attendance & Conduct
Concerts
Photo Policy
Dress
Merchandise
Orchestra repertoire
Seating Arrangements
Auditions
Parents
Association/Volunteering
Tours
Community Outreach
Endangered Instruments
Scholarships
Family Fundraising
What is WYSO?
• Founded by Dr. Marvin Rabin in 1966, the
Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras (WYSO)
has grown from one single orchestra into a
comprehensive program that includes three full
orchestras, a string orchestra, chamber music
program and a full array of ensemble
programs. Today, WYSO, under the direction of
James Smith is recognized as one of the finest
youth orchestra programs in the country.
WYSO Organization
Organization
Orchestras
WYSO
Youth
Orchestra
Philharmonia
Orchestra
Concert
Orchestra
Sinfonietta
Ensembles
Brass
Choirs
Harp
Ensemble
Percussion
Ensemble
Chamber
Ensembles
398 Young Musicians – 50 Years of Tradition
WYSO Administrative Staff
Bridget Fraser
Executive Director
Joe Bernstein
Director of Operations &
Education
Jonathan Schroerlucke
Communications & Membership
Coordinator
Angela Flickinger-Pierce
Development Manager
Leah Schultz
Administrative
Assistant
Brian Ellingboe
Music Librarian &
Operations Assistant
Supplemental Office Space
• WYSO has expanded its office space to include new
supplemental offices
• 2009 W. Beltline Hwy
Suite 202
• Business hours 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday – Friday
• WYSO will continue have a staff person in our
current offices at the UW Humanities building,
Tuesday-Friday. Times TBD. Please call ahead if you
need to visit us at the Humanities building.
WYSO Artistic Staff
James Smith
Youth Orchestra
Brett Keating
Brass Choir
Michelle Kaebisch
Philharmonia Orchestra
Karen Beth Atz
Harp Ensemble
Christine Mata-Eckel
Concert Orchestra
Vicki Peterson Jenks
Percussion Ensemble
Mark Leiser
Sinfonietta
Karl Lavine
Chamber Ensemble
WYSO Artistic Staff
• Sectionals are held for each instrument section of
Philhamronia, Concert Orchestra, and Sinfonietta on
19 rehearsals throughout the season:
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Violin 1 – Beth Larson
Violin 2 – Laura Mericle
Viola – Melanie DeJesus
Cello – Hannah Wolkstein
Bass – August Jirovec
Woodwinds – Yvonne Schwinge
Brass – Jacob Grewe
Percussion – James McKenzie
Timpani – Sean Kleve
Harp – Jenny DeRoche
WYSO Rehearsals
• Rehearsals
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Youth Orchestra: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Philharmonia Orchestra: 9:45 am – 12:45 pm
Concert Orchestra: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Sinfonietta: 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Badger Football Games
Plan ahead for traffic and parking
Sept. 12, 19, 26 | Oct. 3, 17, 31 | Nov. 21
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Sept. 12: First Rehearsal
Oct. 31: Taste of WYSO/ Musical Notes
Kickoff
Nov. 14 & 15: Evelyn Steenbock Fall
Concerts
Dec. 12 & 19: Chamber Music Recitals
Feb. 19: 50th Dress Rehearsal, 7:00 pm
Feb. 20: 50th Anniversary Gala Concert
March 12: Musical Notes Collection
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March 19: Diane Ballweg Winterfest
Concerts
April 9: Chamber Music Recitals
April 16: Percussion Extravaganza!
April 23: Philharmonia Goodman
Concert
April & May: Auditions for 2016-2017
Season
May 21 & 22: Eugenie Mayer Bolz
Spring Concerts
WYSO Sunday Rehearsals
Due to building availability and scheduling
limitations, WYSO will be holding four rehearsals
on Sunday afternoons this year.
• Sunday, November 22
• Sunday, January 31
• Sunday, February 28
• Sunday, March 6
• Sunday, April 3 ***Late addition, not in Member Handbook***
• Sunday, May 1
• Check member handbook for specific
rehearsal times on Sundays
Special Events
• Masterclasses
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Several masterclasses with illustrious WYSO
alumni
See WYSO students work 1 on 1 with professional
musicians
• 50th Anniversary Gala
Concert
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Celebration concert at Overture Center
featuring all WYSO performing ensembles
• Philharmonia at
Goodman
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Philharmonia Orchestra will be performing a
FREE outreach community concert at
Goodman Community Center
• Sounds of the Season
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Will involve multiple ensembles playing
holiday music that will be aired on NBC 15.
Audience members are encouraged to
attend the recording. Date TBA.
• Taste of WYSO
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Enjoy food from around the world in this
annual WYSO pot luck!
50th Anniversary
• Friday, Sept. 25
• Retrospective Exhibit
“Kick-off” Reception
• Friday, Feb. 19
• Dress rehearsal, 7:00 pm
• Saturday, Feb. 20
• Alumni Open Rehearsal
• Pre-Concert Reception
• 50th Anniversary Gala
Concert
• Post-Concert
Celebration
• Sunday, Feb. 21
• Anniversary Brunch
WYSO’s first Orchestra - 1966
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50
Anniversary Concert
• 7pm Collage Concert in Overture Hall
• Features all four orchestras, Youth Orchestra Brass
Choir, Percussion Ensemble, select chamber groups
• Each orchestra and the Percussion Ensemble will
premiere a commissioned piece
• All 398 members, plus the Madison Music Makers
Honors Ensemble will perform a grand finale new
arrangement of Ode to Joy!
• Tickets for the concert go on sale today at 11am
• Go to the Overture Center web site to purchase
• Current WYSO family members can use the promo
code WSO50 to receive 40% off of their order
• Post-concert reception for everyone!
Sounds of the Season
• NBC 15 will feature WYSO and school
ensembles from around the region,
playing holiday classics.
• Youth Orchestra
• Concert Orchestra
• Usually airs Christmas Eve, Christmas,
and one other date.
• Audience is encouraged to attend to
taping on Oct. 31.
Taste of WYSO
• Enjoy food from
around the world
• Meet other parents
and members
• Receive your family’s
Musical Notes Packet
• Oct. 31, 2015
Chamber Music Program
• Highly recommended by all conductors!
• Led by Karl Lavine, Principal cellist of the MSO and WCO.
• Chamber music is music played in small groups, usually
3,4, or 5 person groups like string quartets, piano trios or
woodwind quintets. It’s performed without a conductor.
• Students learn valuable skills that they wouldn’t normally
learn in larger ensembles: leadership, improved listening,
teamwork, responsibility for an individual part, and more.
• Chamber retreat today, 1:00-2:30pm for Youth and
Philharmonia Orchestra members.
• Applications due next Saturday.
Staying Informed
Website
(weekly)
www.wsyomusic.org
Handbook
(annual)
WYSO Rhythms
E-newsletter
(monthly)
Check your E-mail weekly! If you go two weeks without receiving
an e-mail from WYSO, please check your spam folder. It’s rare that
a mass e-mail doesn’t get sent out weekly.
Text Alerts
• WYSO can send
you text alerts for:
• Cancelled rehearsals
• Cancelled concerts
• Change of
date/time
• Signing up is easy!
• www.wysomusic.org/members
Conductor’s Notes
• Throughout the year, conductors may elect to inform
students of specific parts to concentrate on for the next
rehearsal.
• To view these simply visit the WYSO website. Then go to
Members>Announcements and click on the appropriate
orchestra.
School Music Participation
• All WYSO members are expected to participate in
their school orchestra, band, or strings program.
• Members who do not meet this expectation must
notify the WYSO Exec. Director in writing.
• WYSO is not a replacement for the daily playing,
technique building, and literature exposure that is
experienced in a school music ensemble.
• Participation in scheduled school orchestra or band
performances always takes precedence over
WYSO.
School Music Participation
Daily playing, exposure to core literature, and reinforcement of technique
Gain valuable musicianship and technique
while receiving pedagogical lessons
Experience supplemental and
often advanced literature in a
diverse surrounding from different
conductors
Attendance – A Worthwhile
Challenge
• Maximum number of absences per concert cycle
• 2 Autumn: Steenbock Concert
• 3 Winter: Winterfest Concert
• 2 Spring: Bolz Concert
• Members will receive one additional absence allowance per cycle
for school music activities
• Exceeding the maximum will dismiss the student from playing
in the concert.
• Students who miss a concert must meet with WYSO’s Exec.
Director and his/her conductor to discuss commitment to WYSO
• Excessive absences will be taken in to consideration when
conductors analyze audition results in the spring
• Using an absence for the last rehearsal before a concert is
discouraged
• Missing two concerts will be cause for dismissal from the
WYSO program
• Partial Attendance
Attendance Cont.
• Reporting an absence
• Go to website
• Call the attendance line
• 608-263-3320 ext. 2
• E-mail
• wyso@wyso.music.wisc.edu
• Submit an absence form
Rehearsal Conduct
• Please review pg. 3 of your member handbooks for
a full overview.
• There is NO CELL PHONE USE during rehearsal for any
reason. If there is an emergency please contact the
WYSO main office.
• The computers in the hallway are for UW-Students
only.
• Absolutely no food or drink (except water) is
allowed in the rehearsal rooms.
Half-Price Tickets
• Don’t forget to order your family halfprice tickets!
• Order forms are DUE next week,
September 19!
Concert Etiquette
WYSO aims to provide the best
possible concert experience for both
the performers and the audience.
Certain behaviors can distract the
performers, conductor, and the
audience from enjoying the final
product of weeks of rehearsals.
• No food or drink is allowed at the
concert venue
• Please remove loud or disruptive
children outside the hall.
• When recording or taking photos,
please adhere to photo policy
• Please turn all cellphones off!
Photo & Video Policy
• All video recordings must be made in one
of the designated “recording spaces”.
• Please turn the sound of your recording
device off. Beeps, clicks, and buzzes will
interfere with the sound quality of the
WYSO recording. Those noises are also a
distraction for other audience members
and performers.
• Please be mindful of the people around
you when taking photos. Please do not
stand up, block other audience member’s
view, or disturb your neighbors.
• ABSOLUTELY NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY
ALLOWED AT CONCERTS
• All photo team members will monitor all
audience photography
Rehearsal Attire
• Members are asked to be thoughtful in how they
dress for rehearsals.
• Clothing should not be distracting to others, nor
inhibit playing during rehearsals.
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NO midriff-baring shirts
NO visible undergarments
NO bare feet
NO hats
• We recommend against flip-flops as they are a
safety hazard, particularly given the amount of
equipment being moved in the Humanities Building.
Concert Attire
Boys
Girls
Philharmonia, Concert Orchestra, and Sinfonietta
Concert Attire Cont.
Boys
Girls
Youth Orchestra
Photo Days
• Each orchestra will participate on a photo day
• Group and individual instrumental portraits will be
taken
• Please arrive in concert dress
• Most individual portraits will happen after rehearsal
• Photos will be available to purchase
• Sinfonietta – September 26
• Concert Orchestra – October 3
• Philharmonia Orchestra – October 17
• Youth Orchestra – October 24*
*changed from Oct. 10
Merchandise
• WYSO sells clothes, calendars,
cd’s, bumper stickers, and more!
• Calendars purchased will count
towards Musical Notes.
• CD’s may be ordered at
concerts.
• Clothes and bags may be
ordered Sept. 12 – Sept. 27
• We will sell clothes and other
merchandise at rehearsals and
concerts
• See our booth in the lounge TODAY!
Order WYSO clothes and bags here:
https://toppromotions.four51ordercloud.com/WYSO/catalog
Orchestra Repertoire
• The repertoire of each
orchestra is carefully selected
by each conductor, with
consideration given to:
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Educational value
Artistic quality
Instrumentation
Programmatic Integrity
• Even professional musicians
play pieces which might not
be challenging, but playing
these pieces well makes the
musician a professional.
• Please encourage your young
musicians to talk with their
conductor if:
• They have questions about the
repertoire
• If they are not feeling
challenged
• If they are feeling too
challenged
• If they would like to know more
about the piece
Seating Arrangements
• The conductor determines the seating and rotation within the
various sections of each orchestra. Competition for individual
chairs is not part of the WYSO program.
• Seating is not based on the ranking of performers; rather parts
are rotated from piece to piece (most frequently in winds and
percussion), and from concert to concert. Every member of the
orchestra plays an important role.
• Conductor’s hearings for string players in the fall allow an
opportunity for the conductor to get to know the members and
assess their abilities so he or she can determine a seating
arrangement within the section that is best for the orchestra.
• For more information please visit
http://www.wysomusic.org/our-program/orchestras
Audition Process
• WYSO will make a concerted effort to hire judges who
are not private teachers of current students whenever
possible.
• Final orchestra placement for all will be made by WYSO
conductors, based on audition. Returning WYSO
members will also be evaluated on rehearsal
preparation, etiquette, behavior, and attendance.
• Excellent attendance, preparation, and commitment are
all essential in demonstrating to conductors that a
member is ready to move to the next level orchestra.
• WYSO holds an Audition Workshop in the Spring. This
covers our process, how to prepare, and how we
determine results.
Parent Leader Committee
• Responsibilities
• Help to plan and run WYSO events such as First
Rehearsal Day, Taste of WYSO, Musical Notes
Collection Day and the PLC Fundraiser
• Serve as a great resource for new families
• Orchestra Chairs
• Kate Deck, Deepika Rajesh, Cynthia Kuenzi, Tanya
Tandias, Mary Jo Froden, Tamara Nuenninghoff,
Madhu Thandaserry, Pat Raes, Kristen Davies
• WYSO Board Liason
• Teresa Hall
Volunteering
• On-Going Opportunities
• Parent School Coordinators
• Photo Team
• One-Time Opportunities
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Social Activities
Attendance
Hall Monitor
Ushers, Box Office
Office/Admin Help
Auditions
Tour
Petting Zoos
Touring
• Youth Orchestra aims to do an
international tour every 2-3 years.
Two years ago, Youth Orchestra
spent 10 days in Argentina.
• Concert Orchestra Tour
• Tuesday, November 10,
2015
• Philharmonia Orchestra Tour
• Thursday, November 12,
2015
• Sinfonietta, Concert Orchestra, and
Philharmonia Orchestra tour
regionally at various schools each
year.
• Sinfonietta Tour
• It is expected that each member of
the orchestra participates in their
orchestra’s tour.
• Youth Orchestra International
Tour to Italy
• Thursday, March 17, 2016
• July 6, 2016 – July 16, 2016
• Missing your orchestra’s in-state
tour will result in meeting with the
conductors and the executive
director
Music Makers Mentorship
• This collaborative project pairs young
students from Bonnie Greene’s Music Makers
program, which provides low cost music
lessons to children whose families face
financial challenges, with high school aged
mentors from WYSO.
• WYSO’s Music Makers Mentors attend
rehearsals at Zion City modeling music
student success. The partnership also includes
workshops with WYSO conductors including
mock auditions, group auditions, and
collaborative performance.
• WYSO members interested in becoming
mentors will meet with Music Makers Director,
Bonnie Greene following next week’s
rehearsal.
Endangered Instruments
• This project aims to increase interest in and mastery of
“endangered” instruments: horn, viola, bassoon, bass, and
low brass. These sections have become increasingly difficult
to fill in school, youth and even professional orchestras, and
this program aims to help strengthen these important
instrumental voices.
• Open to non-wyso members
• Scholarships for private lessons are available through the
programs
• Participation is FREE
• Highly encouraged by all conductors!
Endangered Instruments
• enCORe Horn Program
• Focus on horn choir and horn-centric
repertoire
• Viola Explorers
• Workshops devoted to the benefits and
techniques of playing viola
• Begin the Bassoon Workshops
• Workshops for all wind players interested in
playing bassoon
• All About That Bass
• Workshops for skill development and
mastery of the string bass
• Low Brass Boot Camp
• Workshops focusing on trombone,
euphonium, and tuba technical and
ensemble development
Scholarships
• WYSO offers need based scholarships for
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Tuition
Private Lessons
Chamber Ensembles
International Tour
• The scholarship deadline was June 6, 2015;
however, applications will be accepted on an
individual basis
• Limited funds available for late applications
• For more information and to fill out an application
visit:
• www.wysomusic.org/members/scholarships
Musical Notes Campaign
• WYSO Families’ Signature Fundraising Event
• Family Oriented Campaign
• Students send letters to family and friends, sell raffle
tickets, sell calendars and volunteer at outside events.
• Donors send contributions to the student
• Pick up packets at Taste of WYSO Potluck on October
31, 2015
• Turn in donations – March 12, 2016
• The success of this campaign is the largest reason we
are able to keep tuition prices affordable for families.
Musical Notes Cont.
• Fundraising keeps tuition at
an affordable cost
• Family Fundraising activities
are led by the Parent
Leader Committee.
• Each WYSO member is
responsible for fulfilling the
minimum $150 fundraising
expectation.
Musical Notes Cont.
• Raise your money
through volunteering
• Bratfest
• Madison Marathon
• Madison HalfMarathon
• Taste of Madison
• Opera in the Park
• Wisconsin Farm
Technology Days
Raffle for a trip abroad!
• Selling raffle tickets is an easy
way to meet your fundraising
goal. Wisconsonites love
buying raffle tickets!
• There will be two raffles: the
first is a trip to Paris, the second
is a trip to Rome.
• Tickets are $10 a piece or 3 for
$25
• The drawing will be held at the
Fall &Winterfest Concerts.
Summary and Goals
• Musical Notes Summary FY15
• Total amount raised $66,988.29
• 79% Overall Participation
• 93% Sinfonietta
• 92% Concert Orchestra
• 85% Philharmonia Orchestra
• 85% Youth Orchestra
• Goal for FY16
• 100% participation and $65,000
FY15 Revenue
Foundations
4%
In-Kind
14%
Tuition &
Member Fees
25%
Box Office &
Earned
Income
4%
Individual
Contributions
15%
Business &
Clubs
2%
Government
2%
Endowment
17%
Family
Fundraising
7%
Art of Note
9%
FY15 Expenses
Special
Projects
8%
In-Kind
16%
Materials &
Supplies
6%
Scholarships
2%
Organizational
Costs
7%
Contract Labor
8%
Payroll
53%
UW School of Music
• An incredibly
important
relationship
• Rehearsal space
• Offices
• Instruments
• Private lessons are only
allowed to be given to
WYSO students in
Humanities through the
Community Music
Lessons program
• HTTP://music.wisc.edu/CML
• Respect the space
and the people
within it
Parking
• Parking available at
several lots nearby
• Please do not leave your
vehicle unattended in the
circle.
• Do not park in
handicapped parking
without a handicapped
parking permit
• WYSO is not granted
special permission in the
parking lot and members
cars will be ticketed if in
violation of parking rules