Ensembles and Orchestra
WYO offers five core ensembles, along with optional Winter Chamber and Summer Chamber Music Camp programs. Each season features three main concerts—Fall, Winter, and Spring—plus an outreach performance for the Arc of Williamsburg. New member and placement auditions take place in August, with additional opportunities for students to audition before each concert cycle and join throughout the season.
Symphony Orchestra (WYOSO)
The Symphony Orchestra (WYOSO) is designed for highly advanced high school musicians and includes all orchestral instruments except the harp. Under the direction of Dr. David Grandis, who also serves as the music director of the William & Mary Symphony Orchestra, WYOSO brings together talented students from Williamsburg and beyond to perform standard symphonic repertoire.
Recent programs have featured works by Beethoven, Stravinsky, Bizet, Haydn, Mascagni, Mozart, Schubert, and Vaughan Williams. A highlight of the Winter Concert is the performance of WYO’s Concerto Competition winner, who plays a solo accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra. The Spring Concert often includes film music by composers such as John Williams, Leonard Bernstein, and Hans Zimmer.
Every other year, WYOSO collaborates with the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra for a Side-by-Side Concert, offering students the unique opportunity to perform alongside professional musicians.
Additionally, WYO provides an exclusive opportunity for advanced junior and senior students to take conducting lessons with Dr. Grandis, with the potential to lead the Symphony Orchestra in rehearsals and performances. At the start of the season, Dr. Grandis selects a candidate based on their knowledge of music theory and advanced musicianship. The mentorship includes a one-hour private lesson each week, and students must pass an evaluation covering basic triads, tonalities, rhythmic reading, and clef proficiency. Interested students should contact the Executive Director for more information.
Concert String Ensemble
Concert String is an entry-level to early intermediate ensemble for students in grades 3–7, led by Mrs. Rebecca Nixon, orchestra teacher at Toano Middle School. Open to violin, viola, cello, and bass players, the ensemble is designed for young musicians with a solid foundation in note reading and rhythm. Students develop essential skills in technique, intonation, tone production, rhythm, and ensemble balance while exploring string orchestra repertoire. Rehearsals also emphasize musicianship and etiquette.
Chamber String Ensemble
Chamber String is for intermediate middle and high school musicians looking to take on more challenging repertoire. Also led by Mrs. Nixon, this ensemble helps students refine their technical skills while exploring various musical eras, styles, and composers. Musicians focus on the complexities of ensemble performance, developing greater precision, musicality, and artistry.
Junior Concert Band
Junior Concert Band is for musicians in 6th grade through early high school with 1–3 years of experience. Led by Mr. Jordan Stehle, band teacher at Matthew Whaley Elementary School, this ensemble helps developing wind, brass, and percussion musicians strengthen their skills in a full ensemble setting. Repertoire bridges the gap between method books and full concert works, reinforcing foundational and intermediate band techniques. Students work at a performance-driven pace, focusing on new rhythms, time signatures, key signatures, and musical styles rather than reviewing basic notes and fingerings.
A highlight of the program is the annual side-by-side concert with the Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble, where students perform alongside experienced musicians.
Junior Wind Ensemble
Junior Wind Ensemble is an advanced extension of the Junior Concert Band, also led by Mr. Stehle. This select group meets for an additional 30 minutes each week to focus on chamber ensemble music, helping students develop confidence in reading and performing more challenging pieces. With a focus on complex keys and time signatures, this experience prepares students for Symphony Orchestras (WYOSO) and competitive auditions. Due to the limited rehearsal time, a high level of individual dedication and musicianship is expected.
WYO is expanding! We are excited to announce the launch of the advanced Wind Ensemble (WYOWE) for dedicated high school wind and brass musicians. This ensemble will provide an opportunity for students to engage with more challenging and diverse repertoire that emphasizes not only technical proficiency but also strong expressive and artistic skills. WYOWE will focus on creating a dynamic and refined sound, encouraging musicians to develop their individual artistry while collaborating with other talented peers. The ensemble will perform a variety of intricate works from the wind band literature, offering members a deeper understanding of music interpretation and performance at an advanced level.
Screening Auditions
Date: May 10, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Williamsburg Presbyterian Church (Choir Room)
Recruiting: Rising 9th–12th graders
Audition Fee: $50 (applied toward tuition); payable by check, cash, or Venmo
Tuition: $400 (due in August at placement auditions)
Rehearsals on Mondays
Time: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Berkeley Middle School
To request an audition, visit the "Audition:Wind Ensemble Screening Audition" tab on our website.