The Greater Erie Youth Symphony Orchestra is comprised of several ensembles that offer instruction and performing opportunities to young musicians of all skill levels. The ensembles are led by professional musicians who are accomplished in both performing and teaching. The ensembles perform a Fall and Spring concert each season with additional performances at area schools, churches, and at civic and cultural events throughout the year.

Allegro Strings Ensemble

Wan Huan Gong, Conductor

The Allegro Strings Ensemble, a weekly ensemble designed for beginning string students, is a continuation of the in-school string program GEYSO holds in nearby elementary schools.  Each class is

45 minutes in length and holds 5-10 students, giving students the opportunity to receive more personal instruction from a Suzuki trained teacher. Students receive hands-on violin lessons and music reading/theory instruction. One of the major goals of student members of the Allegro Strings Ensemble

is the eventual placement into the Overture Strings Ensemble.

Rehearsals: Saturdays 9:30-12 pm, McDowell Intermediate High School

 

 

Concert Winds

Patrick C. Ross, Conductor

The Concert Winds ensemble is open to beginning and intermediate level brass, wind and percussion students. Auditions are not required for the Concert Winds. Major goals of student members of the Concert Winds are the eventual placement into the Symphonic Winds, Sinfonia or Symphony Orchestra. Two major performances are scheduled each year as well as performances

throughout the community and region.

Rehearsals: Sundays from 2-3:30 p.m. in room 119,

Reed Union Building, Penn State Behrend.

 

 

Overture Strings Ensemble

Wan Huan Gong, Conductor

The Overture Strings Ensemble is an intermediate level string ensemble that gives students an introduction to the repertoire and world of string performance. Students must audition for a position in the ensemble and are seated according to their ability. Audition requirements are available here, and in the GEYSO office.  Once seated, their membership requires a commitment and dedication to a concentrated and consistent schedule of rehearsals. One of the major goals of student members of the Overture Strings Ensemble is the eventual placement into the Sinfonia Orchestra and/or Symphony Orchestra.

Two major performances are scheduled per year.

Rehearsals: Sundays from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. in room 119,

Reed Union Building, Penn State Behrend.

 

 

Sinfonia Orchestra

Jim Caspar, Music Director/Conductor

The GEYSO Sinfonia is an intermediate level orchestra (strings & winds/percussion) that gives students an introduction to the repertoire and world of orchestral performance. No audition is necessary, however students will be invited to join and seated according to their ability. Once seated, their membership requires a commitment and dedication to a concentrated and consistent schedule of rehearsals. One of the major goals of student members of the Sinfonia is the eventual placement into the Symphony Orchestra.  Two major performances are scheduled per year.

Rehearsals: Sundays from 12-1 p.m. in McGarvey Commons,

Reed Union Building, Penn State Behrend.

 

 

Symphony Orchestra

Jim Caspar, Music Director/Conductor

The Symphony Orchestra is the highest performance level a student musician in GEYSO can attain. Students must audition for a position in the orchestra and are seated according to their ability. Once seated, their membership requires a commitment and dedication to a concentrated, consistent schedule of rehearsals and concerts.  A variety of musical styles and repertoire will be explored.  Three to four major performances are scheduled per year. Audition requirements are available here, and in the GEYSO office.

Rehearsals: Sundays from 1:00-3:30 p.m. in McGarvey Commons,

Reed Union Building, Penn State Behrend.

 

 

Symphonic Winds

Pat Ross, Music Director/Conductor

The Symphonic Winds ensemble is designed for brass, wind and percussion students that possess a high level of skill. Students must audition for a position in the Symphonic Winds, and are seated according to their ability.  One of the major goals of student members of the Symphonic Winds is the eventual placement into the Symphony Orchestra.  Two major performances are scheduled each year as a prelude to the Symphony Orchestra, as well as performances throughout the community and region. Audition requirements are available here, and in the GEYSO office.

Rehearsals: Sundays from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in room 119,

Reed Union Building, Penn State Behrend.

 

 

Jazz Ensemble 

Conductor To Be Announced

The Jazz Ensemble is dedicated to performing music encompassing a variety of styles within the genre of jazz, America’s only true native musical art form.  The literature performed will include music originally performed by the bands of Count Basie, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, and Pat Metheny, to name a few.  This group rehearses the second and fourth Sundays of every month.  This schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the director.  Participation in this group is by audition only and participating students must also play in the Symphonic Winds.

Contact Mr. Caspar jcaspar@wasd.iu5.org for audition details and for more information.

Rehearsals: 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month, 3:30-5:00 p.m. in McGarvey Commons,

Reed Union Building, Penn State Behrend.

 

 

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Created by students in the Sam and Irene Black School of Business at Penn State Erie through Partnership Erie.