MYSP Ensembles

 MYSP is comprised of 5 orchestras and 2 wind bands that perform four times each season.

At MYSP, our ensembles are designed to support students at every stage of their musical journey, from beginning ensemble experience to advanced pre-professional training. Placement is based on much more than an audition score alone. We consider each student’s musical skill level, experience, rehearsal behavior, attendance, past participation in MYSP, maturity, and age to ensure that every student is placed in an ensemble where they can be successful and continue to grow.

Descriptions of all ensembles are listed below!

Prelude Strings
Kate Ryan, Conductor

violin, viola, cello, bass

Prelude Strings is designed for students who are beginning their ensemble experience and have typically had at least one year of instruction.

Students in Prelude demonstrate:

  • Strong posture and foundational playing technique

  • Straight bowing and developing tone quality

  • Reliable rhythm skills

  • Basic sight-reading ability

  • Consistent intonation in the keys of C, G, and D major

Students perform music that reinforces ensemble skills, listening, rhythm, and musicianship while introducing a wide variety of styles and repertoire. Prelude typically performs music graded Levels 0.5–2.

Intermezzo Orchestra
Jacob Saunders, Conductor

violin, viola, cello, bass

Intermezzo Orchestra is for developing musicians who are ready for more advanced technical and musical challenges. Students typically have at least two years of instruction.

Students in Intermezzo demonstrate:

  • Confident reading in additional key signatures, including A, F, and B-flat major, as well as minor keys

  • Beginning and intermediate shifting skills

  • Increased rhythmic independence, including sixteenth notes and syncopation

  • Experience with compound meter, cut time, and mixed meter

  • Growing musical expression and ensemble awareness

Intermezzo performs music graded Levels 2–4 and continues to build the technical and musical foundation necessary for advanced ensemble playing.

String Orchestra
Yonitte Ryger, Conductor

violin, viola, cello, bass

String Orchestra is an advanced ensemble for highly skilled string players who are prepared for demanding repertoire and a faster-paced rehearsal environment.

Students in String Orchestra demonstrate:

  • Strong shifting ability across multiple positions

  • Excellent intonation and developed vibrato

  • The ability to sustain a powerful and controlled tone throughout the bow

  • Rhythmic precision and preparation with a metronome

  • Musical maturity and consistent rehearsal focus

Cellists in this ensemble may also be expected to read tenor clef.

String Orchestra performs advanced high school and standard string orchestra repertoire, typically graded Levels 3.5–6.

Concert Band
Brent Hopper, Conductor

woodwinds, brass, and percussion

Concert Band is designed for developing wind, brass, and percussion students who are ready to strengthen their ensemble skills in a supportive and engaging musical environment. Students in Concert Band are typically middle school and early high school musicians with foundational playing experience who are continuing to build confidence, technique, and musicianship.

Students in Concert Band demonstrate:

  • Developing tone quality and breath support

  • Consistent rhythmic accuracy and counting skills

  • Growing technical facility on their instrument

  • Increasing ensemble awareness and listening skills

  • A willingness to prepare music independently and contribute positively to rehearsals

Concert Band performs quality wind band literature that helps students expand their technical and musical abilities while introducing a wide range of styles and composers. Repertoire is selected to challenge students appropriately while continuing to build the foundational skills necessary for more advanced ensemble playing.

Wind Ensemble
Kevin Carpenter, Conductor

woodwinds, brass, and percussion

Wind Ensemble is MYSP’s most advanced wind band and is intended for highly skilled and dedicated wind, brass, and percussion musicians.

Students in Wind Ensemble demonstrate:

  • Advanced technical proficiency on their instrument

  • Strong tone quality, intonation, and rhythm

  • Mature ensemble listening and musical independence

  • The ability to prepare challenging repertoire outside of rehearsal

  • Strong rehearsal focus, discipline, and leadership

The ensemble explores advanced wind band literature ranging from major classical works to contemporary compositions. Students are expected to perform with musical maturity, technical control, and stylistic flexibility across a wide variety of repertoire.

Wind Ensemble provides talented young musicians with a rigorous and inspiring artistic environment that prepares students for advanced high school, collegiate, and pre-professional musical opportunities while fostering a deep appreciation for wind ensemble literature and performance.

Repertory Orchestra
Mark Cellini, Conductor

strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion

Repertory Orchestra is often a student’s first full symphony orchestra experience after several years of study in string orchestra or band programs.

Students in Repertory Orchestra should have:

  • A solid technical foundation on their instrument

  • Good tone quality and intonation

  • Rhythmic precision and ensemble awareness

  • The maturity and focus necessary for a 2.5-hour rehearsal schedule

This ensemble performs literature from the standard orchestral repertoire, with repertoire carefully selected to help students continue building the skills needed for more advanced symphonic playing. Rehearsals conclude at 8:00 PM, so this ensemble is generally not recommended for students under age 12.

Youth Symphony
Kyle Dickson, Conductor

strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion

Youth Symphony is MYSP’s most advanced full orchestra and is intended for highly committed, advanced young musicians.

Students in Youth Symphony are expected to:

  • Demonstrate advanced technical and musical skills

  • Prepare music independently at a high level

  • Balance significant practicing responsibilities outside of rehearsal

  • Contribute mature musicianship, leadership, and professionalism to the ensemble

Repertoire in Youth Symphony is significantly more challenging than in Repertory Orchestra and often includes major symphonic works and advanced orchestral literature. Students are expected to rehearse and perform with a high level of artistry, preparation, and musical independence.

Youth Symphony rehearses for 2.5 hours each week in a rigorous and fast-paced environment that mirrors many collegiate and pre-professional ensemble settings. Students in this ensemble are typically older, highly advanced, or preparing for collegiate and professional musical opportunities.