Dear guests,

What does music mean to you this year?

In the Youth Symphony Orchestra, creating music is creating hope. It’s creating joy. It lifts our spirits, shapes our minds, and builds our strength. It connects us with our humanity and with each other.

Each year, the board of directors renews its commitment to creating music education opportunities that lead to exceptional performances and a lifelong love of music. In that way, this year is no different from any other. What’s different this year is that when we invite you to build this program together with us, we’re all on a path of accelerated innovation. New rehearsal spaces, new concert venues, new ways of delivering everything from violin lessons to concert programs digitally.

To our members and students…thank you for trusting us with this part of your life and your education.

To our artistic staff…thank you for your creativity and engagement in providing such quality education to the students  

To our supporters, audience and fans…thank you for teaming up with us to make this happen for our youth and our community.

To everyone…let’s keep creating!

Dana Taylor

Board Chair

We wish to thank all the generous supporters who make our season possible. In-kind support comes from fine folks like Wichita Christian, the Arts Council, Midwestern State University, the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, and the First United Methodist Church. Grants come from wonderful organizations including the Texas Commission on the Arts, Priddy, Perkins-Prothro, the City of Wichita Falls (administered by the Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture), Bryant Edwards, McCoy, JS Bridwell, and Grace Foundations.

You can be part of this magic right now by texting the word TIP to (940) 427-7289 for a small donation to help keep the orchestra playing!

Create Music, Create Hope

Wichita Falls Youth Symphony Orchestra 2020-21 Season

Spring Concert, April 25, 20221

Philharmonic Orchestra

Dr. Matthew D. Luttrell, conductor

Riding the Dragon's Back (2006)

Jeffrey S. Bishop

Ice Sculptures (2009)

Brian Balmages

To Reach Beyond Our Fears (2012)

Paul Geraci

*Dr. Paul Geraci, guest conductor

Double Trouble (2021) for twin cello soloists, string ensemble, and electronics

Matthew Luttrell

*Soloists: Lucas Steele, Mason Steele

Philharmonic Ensemble

Amanda Hernandez, coach

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? from Three Little Pigs
Frank Churchill, arr. Mark Phillips

Balada, 1884
Francisca “Chiquinha” Gonzaga, arr. Rachel Barton Pine

Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof
Jerry Bock, arr. Jay Arnold

St. Patrick’s Day
Traditional, arr. M. Harvey

Apprentice Kofi Agyepong – solo

Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, 1^st movement

Max Bruch

Accompanist Dr. Ruth Morrow

Apprentice Matthew Bitz – solo

Violin Concerto in D Minor, 3^rd movement

Jean Sibelius

Accompanist Dr. Ruth Morrow

Stringsemble

Barbara Kavanaugh, coach

Theme from Pokemon

Siegler and Loeffler

Disney Classics

Arr. Charles Sayre

Canon in D

Johann Pachelbel, arr. Tony Esposito

Adagietto from Symphony No. 5

Gustav Mahler, arr. Carrie Lane Gruselle

Apprentice Robert Horvath – solo

Café 1930 from Histoire du Tango

Astor Piazzolla

Accompanist Kevin Nguyen

Featured Ensemble

Concerto in B Flat Major for Harp and Orchestra

George Frideric Handel

Urtext of the Halle Handel Edition

*Harp soloist Celine Yap

Symphonic Orchestra

Dr. Susan Harvey, conductor

Amadeus! from Symphony No. 25                   

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, arr. Jamin Hoffman

Jupiter-Bringer of Jollity from "The Planets"                       

Gustav Holst, arr. Vernon Leidig

Band of Brothers                             

Michael Kamen, arr. Roy Phillippe

Dave Brubeck: It's About Time        

(Take Five, Unsquare Dance, Blue Rondo A La Turk)

*Drum set soloist Gabe Dameron 

                                                         "Take Five"                        Paul Desmond

                                                         "Unsquare Dance"           Dave Brubeck

                                                          "Blue Rondo A La Turk"  Dave Brubeck

                                                          arr. Chuck Sayre

Yes, we are just wrapping up the 2020-21 season, but would you like a sneak peek into next year?

SPRING AUDITIONS

Next Sunday, May 2, auditions will be held to reserve seats in the 2021-22 school year. Get your application in right now

http://www.wfyouthsymphony.org/index.php/auditions-2/

SUMMER STRINGS CAMP

All strings student musicians are invited to attend July 26-30

Details and enrollment on our website soon

www.wfyouthsymphony.org 

AMERICAN DREAMER SUMMER CONCERT

Touring strings group coming to Wichita Falls July 29 - concert with the Sounds of Speedway series (see the program section all about them!). They will also host a workshop for our Strings Camp students

http://www.americandreamermusic.com/bio

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

The Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra has invited YSO to perform side-by-side with them on December 11 at the Memorial Auditorium. See our student musicians bring Christmas joy with the professional musicians under the direction of Fouad Fakhouri 

https://www.wfso.org/

VALENTINES GALA

A special evening of music and fine food with auctions/raffles benefitting the students of YSO. Find romance and elegance Thursday, February 3. Tickets and details will be on our website and social media.

Wichita Falls Youth Symphony Orchestra

Chair Sponsors

Concertmaster Chair

In memory of Gail Key

Sponsored by Michael and Carlana Fitch Murray

Cello Chair

In honor of Chaitan Reddy

Sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Praveen Reddy

Harp Chair

In honor of Celine Yap

Sponsored by

DeeAnn Martin & Darlene Adair Moore

Piano Bench

Sponsored by Wichita Falls Music Teachers Association

Violin Chair

In honor of Matthew Bitz

Sponsored by

Greg and Shelley Bitz

Violin Chair

In honor of Sofia Camacho

Sponsored by

DeeAnn Martin & Darlene Adair Moore

YSO is teaming up with the Arts Council to bring an exciting concert to Wichita Falls with 

American Dreamer

Sounds of Speedway Concert

at The Forum

Thursday, July 29, 2021

AMERICAN DREAMER is four gifted musicians who bring a heavy dose of strings to their unique blend of Indie-Folk. Each member – Courtney Castaneda, Dana Marie, Camille Schiess, and Sasha Klare-Ayvazian – contributes something distinctive to their rich and remarkable sound. The quartet’s music builds on relatable Folk songs, transformed through bold string arrangements (violin, cello, bass) and resplendent three-part harmony.

They share a lifelong passion for crafting their art and using it to connect with urban and rural communities. American Dreamer strives to honor America’s deeply rooted Folk tradition while exploring contemporary elements that roll the genre forward.

There Will Be Food, Fun, Raffles, and Prizes

Concert tickets will be available here

Sounds of Speedway: Wichita Falls, TX | Arts Council Wichita Falls Area Inc Sounds of Speedway is a community concert series, bringing six months of all types of music to The Forum. Concerts are once a month from April to October. Arts Council Wichita Falls Area Inc

They will also host a special workshop for the YSO Summer Strings Camp

Stay tuned for more details

the word TIP to (940) 427-7289 for a small donation to help keep the orchestra playing!

Many individuals have donated and underwritten programs this year. We love each one of you and are deeply aware of the difference you make to the students. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. This year more than ever, we know that your generosity is powerful and crucial. 

Board of Directors Officers

Members

YSO Staff and Senior Contractors

YSO Coaches