MYSP Large 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
Sundays 1:30-2:45pm

Prelude Strings is designed for students who are beginning their ensemble experience and have typically had at least one year of instruction. Students in this ensemble are typically in grades 1–7.

Students in Prelude Strings 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 musical styles and repertoire. Prelude Strings typically performs music graded Levels 0.5–2.

Recent repertoire has included Hey Fiddle Fiddle and Never Summer Mountain.

Intermezzo Orchestra
Jacob Saunders, Conductor

violin, viola, cello, bass
Sundays 1:15-2:30pm

Intermezzo Orchestra is for developing string players who are ready for more advanced technical and musical challenges. Students in this ensemble are typically in grades 5–10 and have at least two years of instruction.

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

Recent repertoire has included Colors of Home and Legend of Ghost Stallion.

String Orchestra
Yonitte Ryger, Conductor

violin, viola, cello, bass
Sundays 3-5pm

String Orchestra is an advanced ensemble for highly skilled string players who are prepared for demanding repertoire and a fast-paced rehearsal environment. Students in this ensemble are typically in grades 5–11.

Students in String Orchestra demonstrate:

  • Strong shifting ability across multiple positions

  • Excellent intonation and developed vibrato

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

  • Rhythmic precision and consistent preparation with a metronome

  • Musical maturity and strong 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.

Recent repertoire has included Holberg Suite and Five Variants of 'Dives and Lazarus'.

Concert Band
Brent Hopper, Conductor

woodwinds, brass, and percussion
Sundays 1:00-2:30pm

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 this ensemble are typically in grades 5–11.

Students in Concert Band demonstrate:

  • Developing tone quality and breath support

  • Ability to play in the keys of C, F, B-flat, E-flat, and G

  • 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 variety of styles and composers. Repertoire is selected to challenge students appropriately while continuing to build the foundational skills necessary for more advanced ensemble playing.

Recent repertoire has included March Diabolique by Brian Balmages, Mystic River by Michael Oare.

Wind Ensemble
Kevin Carpenter, Conductor

woodwinds, brass, and percussion
Sundays 3-5pm (Spring Semester only)

Wind Ensemble is MYSP’s most advanced wind band and is intended for highly skilled and dedicated wind, brass, and percussion musicians. Students in this ensemble are typically advanced high school musicians.

Students in Wind Ensemble demonstrate:

  • Advanced technical proficiency on their instrument

  • Strong tone quality, intonation, and rhythmic precision

  • Ability to perform in all 12 key signatures

  • Mature ensemble listening and musical independence

  • Consistent preparation of challenging repertoire outside of rehearsal

  • Strong rehearsal focus, discipline, and leadership

The ensemble performs 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.

Recent repertoire has included Amerykahn Graffiti by Katahj Copley and John and Jim by Viet Cuong.

Repertory Orchestra
Mark Cellini, Conductor

strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion
Sundays 5:30-8:00pm

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 this ensemble are typically in grades 7–12.

Students in Repertory Orchestra demonstrate:

  • 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 music carefully selected to help students continue building the skills needed for more advanced symphonic playing.

Because rehearsals conclude at 8:00 PM, this ensemble is generally not recommended for students under age 12.

Recent repertoire has included Danse Macabre (Saint-Saëns), Spring Song (Sibelius), and L'Arlésienne Suite No. 2 (Bizet).

Youth Symphony
Kyle Dickson, Conductor

strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion
5:30-8:00pm

Youth Symphony is MYSP’s most advanced full orchestra and is intended for highly committed, advanced young musicians. Students in this ensemble are typically in grades 8–12.

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

Youth Symphony rehearses in a rigorous and fast-paced environment that mirrors many collegiate and pre-professional ensemble settings and prepares students for advanced musical opportunities.

Recent repertoire has included An American in Paris (Gershwin), The Planets (Holst), Capriccio espagnol (Rimsky-Korsakov), and Danzón No. 2 (Marquez).