For the City Times

Young area musicians in grades six through 12 may still apply for the 2017 season of the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra Program.

The deadline is Friday, Sept. 1.

Formed through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Music Department, Aber Suzuki Center and Continuing Education as well as with local music educators, the program has openings in both its Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia groups. When the program begins Sunday, Sept. 10, student members from the entire five-county region will receive sectional coaching and master classes from UW-Stevens Point and Aber Suzuki Center faculty members. Both ensembles perform two concerts per year.

“Young musicians would have to travel to Madison or the Fox Valley to be involved in this level of study and performance,” said program co-founder Kurt Van Tiem. “Now they only have to travel to the top-notch facilities at the UW-Stevens Point Noel Fine Arts Center.”

Van Tiem directs the Symphony Orchestra, which performs standard orchestral literature at the advanced high school level. This fall, the ensemble is looking for additional violinists, bassists, bassoonists, French hornists and percussionists.

The Philharmonia is directed by Stephan Wucherer and performs various levels of full orchestra literature from standard middle school to high school level. This group is seeking additional positions in viola, bass, French horn, trombone and percussion. The Philharmonia has been invited to perform at the state music teachers conference in Madison on Thursday, Oct. 26.

For more information or registration, go to www.uwsp.edu/cwysop, call 715-346-3838 or email Jodi Engum Kryshak at [email protected]