Youth Symphony

The Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra (CWYSO) is a regional symphony orchestra program serving middle school and high school student musicians within Portage, Wood, Waushara, Shawano, Waupaca, Adams, Juneau, Marathon, Lincoln and Langlade Counties with a full Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia, and extensive partnerships with nationally renowned faculty in the state-of-the-art facilities of the Noel Fine Arts Center on the UW-Stevens Point campus.

CWYSO was founded in 2014 in partnership with UW-Stevens Point Continuing Education, UW-Stevens Point Music Department, Aber Suzuki Center, Heid Music, and regional music educators in Central Wisconsin. Two full symphony orchestras comprised of over 60 students from over twenty different schools/districts-rehearse weekly in the state-of-the-art facilities at the Noel Fine Arts Center on the UW-Stevens Point campus. Students receive mentoring from top music majors and faculty of the UW-Stevens Point Music Department and Aber Suzuki Center faculty.

CWYSO is forever grateful to its founding Music Director/Conductor, Kurt Van Tiem, for his vision of creating a regional youth symphony program. 

Jodi Engum Kryshak was the founding Program Coordinator of the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra Program (2014-2024). The Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra is eternally grateful for Jodi’s tireless work and countless hours to keep this program thriving for 10 years through many challenges and changes.  In the transition to CWSO, Jodi offered her expertise and her services for an entire year to ensure a smooth transition and ensure CWYSO’s continued success.  CWYSO will truly live on to be her legacy. 

Our Fall 2026 Concert is scheduled for Sunday, November 21st, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. at SPASH.

Our Spring 2027 Concert is scheduled for Sunday, April 18th, 2027 at 4:00 p.m. at SPASH.

Our Mission:

The Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra provides a high quality symphonic performing experience for committed middle-level and high school students who, with other like-minded musicians, wish to perform great symphonic literature, raise their level of playing, and nurture their love of music.

Staff Members to assist you:

Stephan Wucherer, CWYSO Music Director/Symphony Orchestra Conductor, swucherer@cwso.org

Kanyon Beringer, CWYSO Philharmonia Conductor

Christian Stromley, Program Manager, cstromley@cwso.org

Alaina Kawleski, UWSP Student Program Assistant/Student Mentor, cwyso.assistant@cwso.org 

Kaelyn Rakowski, UWSP Student Percussion Manager/Student Mentor

Please note: CWYSO operates out of the CWSO office which is open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Thursday.  However, we typically respond to emails within 1 business day or, 24 hours if the matter is more urgent.

Interested in CWYSO? Fill out this form, and our Program Manager will reach out with more information: 

CWYSO Interest Form

2026-27 Auditions 

Philharmonia Audition Information

• No audition required for participation in Philharmonia. 

Symphony Orchestra Audition Information

• Students that have not participated in CWYSO are required to audition for admission to the Symphony Orchestra.
• Returning Symphony Orchestra members do not need to re-audition unless they wish to move parts, or for section leader/Concertmaster
  • NOTE: all returning string players need to re-audition for seating placement only.
• Auditions are held at UW-Stevens Point, Noel Fine Arts Center, Rm. 240 – 1800 Portage St., Stevens Point, WI 54481. 
• If you have any questions, please contact Program Manager, Christian Stromley at cstromley@cwso.org 
• Audition Requirements and Scale Sheets HERE
  • OPEN POSITIONS:
    STRINGS
    Violin 2 – principal only
    Viola – principal and 4 section players
    Cello – 4-6 section players
    Bass – 1 section player
    WOODWINDS
    Flute – 1 piccolo
    Oboe – principal
    Clarinet – principal or section player
    Bass Clarinet – section player
    Bassoon – principal and 1 section player
    BRASS
    Horn – principal and 2 section players
    Trumpet – principal and 1 section player
    Trombone – principal and 2 section players
    Tuba – section player
    Percussion – principal
• FOR ALL OPEN POSITIONS, we cannot guarantee you membership to S.O. You will be notified after your audition whether you won your S.O. audition.  

Symphony Orchestra Audition Date: 

Note: please allow 15 minutes for each audition.

• • May 30, 2026 
  • Please email Mr. Wucherer at swucherer@cwso.org for alternative dates. 

Sign-up for an Audition!

Contact Mr. Wucherer at swucherer@cwso.org to schedule your audition! 

Audition Requirements for Symphony Orchestra: 

Strings

Audition Eligibility:  Students in grades 8-12, who are enrolled in the school’s Orchestra or Band program. Students must provide their School Director’s information when registering. Exceptions are made for Homeschool students or students attending schools that do not have music programs for their primary instrument. Students younger than 13 can be allowed to audition for Symphony in cases where there is a strong recommendation from a private instructor and based on the student’s years of experience.

Scales: Select (at minimum) one scale in a flat key and one scale in a sharp key from the provided scale sheet. Scales should be performed using the bowings provided at a moderate tempo in three octaves where possible. Scales do not need to be memorized.

Sight Reading: Students may be required to do a short sight-reading excerpt.

Required Solo: Student’s will perform at minimum a Class B solo (Class A solo is preferred and recommended if possible) unaccompanied. Solo does not need to be memorized.

Woodwinds

Audition Eligibility:  Students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in the school’s Orchestra or Band program. Students must provide their School Director’s information when registering. Exceptions are made for Homeschool students or students attending schools that do not have music programs for their primary instrument. Students younger than 13 can be allowed to audition for Symphony in cases where there is a strong recommendation from a private instructor and based on the student’s years of experience.

Scales: Select (at minimum) one scale in a flat key and one scale in a sharp key from the provided scale sheet. Scales should be performed using the markings provided at a moderate tempo in three octaves where possible. Also, prepare a chromatic scale that shows your full range using a steady rhythm at a fast tempo. Scales do not need to be memorized.

Sight Reading: Students may be required to do a short sight-reading excerpt.

Required Solo: Student’s will perform at minimum a Class B solo (Class A solo is preferred and recommended if possible) unaccompanied. Solo does not need to be memorized.

Brass

Audition Eligibility:  Students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in the school’s Orchestra or Band program. Students must provide their School Director’s information when registering. Exceptions are made for Homeschool students or students attending schools that do not have music programs for their primary instrument. Students younger than 13 can be allowed to audition for Symphony in cases where there is a strong recommendation from a private instructor and based on the student’s years of experience.

Scales: Select (at minimum) one scale in a flat key and one scale in a sharp key from the provided scale sheet. Scales should be performed using the markings provided at a moderate tempo in three octaves where possible. Also, prepare a chromatic scale that shows your full range using a steady rhythm at a fast tempo. Scales do not need to be memorized.

Double tongue on a single pitch of your choice for 4 beats and triple tongue on a single pitch of your choice for 4 beats at your fastest controlled tempo.

Sight Reading: Students may be required to do a short sight-reading excerpt.

Required Solo: Student’s will perform at minimum a Class B solo (Class A solo is preferred and recommended if possible) unaccompanied. Solo does not need to be memorized.

Percussion

Audition Eligibility:  Students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in the school’s Orchestra or Band program. Students must provide their School Director’s information when registering. Exceptions are made for Homeschool students or students attending schools that do not have music programs for their primary instrument. Students younger than 13 can be allowed to audition for Symphony in cases where there is a strong recommendation from a private instructor and based on the student’s years of experience.

Scales: Bells/Marimba – Select (at minimum) one scale in a flat key and one scale in a sharp key from the provided scale sheet. Also, prepare a chromatic scale using a steady rhythm at a fast tempo. Scales do not need to be memorized.

Sight Reading: Students may be required to do a short sight-reading excerpt on an instrument that they did not play for their solo.

Required Solo: Student’s will perform at minimum a Class B solo (Class A solo is preferred and recommended if possible) unaccompanied on any mallet instrument such as Xylophone or Marimba.

Each season, the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra (CWYSO) presents inspiring concerts that showcase the talent, dedication, and musical growth of our young musicians. These performances feature a wide range of repertoire—from classical masterworks to contemporary pieces—and offer students the valuable experience of performing in a professional concert setting. Audiences are invited to celebrate the hard work and passion of these emerging artists as they share the joy of orchestral music with the community.

The Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Concerts are scheduled for: 

Sunday, November 21st, 2026 – 4:00 p.m., Stevens Point Area High School 

Sunday, April 18th, 2027 – 4:00 p.m., Stevens Point Area High School

Tickets for these concerts are available now on the CWSO Concerts & Events page! 

Rehearsals take place on Sundays at UW-Stevens Point Noel Fine Arts Center.

Philharmonia (Strings Only)

3 – 4:45 p.m. | Room 250

Symphony Orchestra

3 – 5:15 p.m. | Room 240

FALL 2026 SCHEDULE – SUNDAYS

AUDITION DATES

Audition Date #1  5/30/26 – UWSP NFAC 240 

If alternative dates are needed, contact Mr. Wucherer  

Rehearsals:

Sept. 6 rehearsal #1 (MANDATORY PARENT/STUDENT MEETING 2:15 p.m. – Michelsen Hall)

Sept. 13 rehearsal #2

Sept. 20 rehearsal #3

Sept. 27 rehearsal #4

Oct. 4 rehearsal #5

Oct. 11 rehearsal #6

Oct. 18 rehearsal #7

Oct. 27 rehearsal #8

Nov. 1 rehearsal #9

Nov. 8 rehearsal #10

Nov. 15 rehearsal #11

Sat., Nov. 22 DRESS REHEARSAL – Location – TBD

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.  Philharmonia  

3:45 – 4:15 p.m.  Percussion Ensemble 

4:30 – 5:30 p.m.  Symphony Orchestra 

Sun., Nov. 23 CONCERT – Location – TBD 4 p.m.

⛄ Winter Break ⛄

SPRING SEMESTER 2026

Jan. 10 rehearsal #1

Jan. 17 rehearsal #2

Jan. 24 rehearsal #3

Jan. 31 rehearsal #4

Feb. 7 rehearsal #5

Feb. 14 rehearsal #6

Feb. 21 rehearsal #7

Feb. 28 rehearsal #8

Mar. 7 NO REHEARSAL – Solo and Ensemble weekend

Mar. 14 rehearsal #9

Mar. 21 rehearsal #10

Mar. 28 NO REHEARSAL – EASTER SUNDAY

Apr. 4 rehearsal #11

Apr. 11 rehearsal #12

Sat., Apr. 18 DRESS REHEARSAL – Location – TBD

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.  Philharmonia  

3:45 – 4:15 p.m.  Percussion Ensemble 

4:30 – 5:30 p.m.  Symphony Orchestra 

Sun., Apr. 19 CONCERT – TBD 4 p.m.    (Ticketed event)

All Current Symphony Orchestra string players continuing in 2026-27 need to re-audition for seating placement

Attendance at all rehearsals and concerts is mandatory. Any conflicts must be submitted immediately in writing at the time of registration, or in an emergency or illness, via email to the Absence Notice Form. Attendance notifications submitted via email to anyone other than the Absence Notice Form will not be accepted. Absence notifications via phone, text, or Facebook are not acceptable. Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made.