For the City Times

STEVENS POINT — The Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra Program (CWYSOP) registration has begun for the 2019-20 season. CWYSOP invites young musicians of all instruments from central Wisconsin to participate in this unique educational and performance experience.

CWYSOP is also accepting applications for its 2019 Concerto Competition. The competition is open to all CWYSOP students who are registered and paid for the entire season. Students must perform one movement of a standard concerto or similar work not to exceed 15 minutes in length. There are three prize categories: 1st Prize – FREE Tuition for the entire next season and a solo performance with CWYSOP Symphony Orchestra. 2nd Prize – FREE Tuition for one full semester in the next season. 3rd Prize – Honorable Mention. The concerto competition will take place on September 7, 2019 at the UW-Stevens Point Noel Fine Arts Center. Applications are due by June 7 and available online at: www.uwsp.edu/cwysop or, in person at UWSP Continuing Education, 2100 Main St, Rm 032, Stevens Point.

Founded in partnership with the UW-Stevens Point Music Department, Aber Suzuki Center, UWSP Continuing Education and music educators in central Wisconsin, CWYSOP also has extensive partnerships with nationally renowned faculty in state-of-the-art facilities of the Noel Fine Arts Center on the UW-Stevens Point campus. CWYSOP currently has openings in both its full Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia. Its membership includes over 100 students from a five-county region.

The Symphony Orchestra is under the direction of Music Director, Kurt Van Tiem and performs standard orchestral literature at the advanced high school level. Under the direction of Stephan Wucherer, the Philharmonia performs various levels of full orchestra literature from standard middle school to high school level. Only Symphony Orchestra members need to audition for placement. They may contact Music Director, Kurt Van Tiem to schedule: [email protected]

All members have the rare opportunity to receive sectional coaching from UW-Stevens Point Music Education majors as well as masterclasses from UWSP Music Department and Aber Suzuki Center Faculty. Both ensembles present two concerts per year. All percussionists are automatically members of the CWYSOP Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Brian Baldauff, director of percussion studies at UW-Stevens Point and, assisted by current music majors in the percussion studio. In addition to CWYSOP concerts, they enjoy the unique opportunity to perform at UWSP Percussion Ensemble concerts.

Student musicians are highly encouraged to register early. Rehearsals will begin on September 8, 2019. Registration materials are available through UWSP Continuing Education at: www.uwsp.ed/cwysop. They are located at 2100 Main Street, Rm 032, Stevens Point. Phone: 715-346-3838