Great Lakes Youth Wind Symphony
Inspiring Excellence Through Band Music
The mission of the Great Lakes Youth Wind Symphony is to encourage and actively promote the highest educational and performing standards for students aged 13-18 who play brass, wind, and percussion through the study of American Band Music. The Youth Wind Symphony will establish the habits and characteristics of what it means to be an educated musician, providing the foundation for what it means to achieve excellence on a personal and ensemble level. These characteristics will include honesty and integrity, exceptional musicianship, responsibility and respect to self and others, compassion and empathy, commitment and diligence.
This image created by AI as a sample only and does not reflect an active group
Become Part of Our Story!
The Great Lakes Youth Wind Symphony is an educational subsidiary of the Great Lakes Wind Symphony. The ensemble is open to students between the ages of 13 to 18 through audition and recommendation by the player's school band director or private lesson teacher. Operating on a fall/spring two term schedule and rehearsing on nine select Sunday afternoons each term from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Williamsport Scottish Rite Theatre, the group performs two annual concerts with one in each term.
The instrumentation for the group is comprised of standard band instruments and includes piano, string bass and harp. 65-100 musicians will be seated in any term. Tuition is $350.00 per term or $700.00 for the year and the full year runs from September through May. Financial assistance is possible for families with need and whose children are successful in the audition.
Audition Information
The PDF to the right describes the audition process for all instruments and is divided into four main groups. These groups are Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion and Special Instruments (Piano, Harp, String Bass). Download the PDF and print the sections you need to guide you through the process. Then go to the section below to find your music. No need to print all the music, just scroll through the document and locate the page or pages related to your specific instrument(s).
Find Your Audition Materials
Click on the Appropriate PDF Beneath the Icon of Your Instrument from the Four Instrument Groups Below.
Then scroll through the document until you see the page(s) for your instrument and print the page(s) off for practice and preparation.
Youth Wind Symphony Application/Audition Form
Once you have practiced and prepared your audition materials, create your audition video. You can use an iPhone or Computer to record the video and then upload this to YouTube. Once uploaded, copy your link for the video, but make sure than anyone with the link can view the video! Notify your teacher (band director or private lesson instructor) you are auditioning for the Youth Wind Symphony and that you would appreciate a recommendation. Have their name and email ready. Finally, have mom or dad or your guardian help you complete the audition application by clicking the audition application button below which will bring you to the form to submit your audition and information. When you are done, click submit. You are all set and will hear from us in 4-6 weeks with the results of your audition and application.