HISTORY
In 1949, the Charleston Women's Club saw a need for young musicians to be able to perform in an orchestra in order to enhance individual and school ensemble playing. At the time, the Women's Club emphasized the need for cooperation between cultural and education groups in order to make the orchestra successful. The need is still in place today.

The original Kanawha Valley Youth Orchestra has gone through many changes since 1949. The most recent and successful restructuring occurred in 1991 when the Charleston Youth Orchestra became the West Virginia Youth Symphony.

MISSION
The mission of the West Virginia Youth Symphony is to provide instrumental students throughout the region with training and opportunities to present quality performances of orchestral literature.

GOALS
· To enable students to experience responsibility, competition, inspiring leadership and concert hall performance.
· To offer programs to our students that provide opportunities to broaden their orchestral performance repertoire.
· To enrich and encourage local school music programs.

THE PROGRAM
The West Virginia Youth Symphony is a non-profit arts organization that supports five music ensembles:
1. the full Youth Orchestra for advanced student musicians approximate ages 13-22
2. the Wind Ensemble comprised of the brass and woodwind sections of the Youth Orchestra
3. the Youth Strings Ensemble for intermediate level string students through grade 12
4. the Youth Winds Ensemble for intermediate brass & woodwind musicians to introduce the concepts of orchestral music
5. the Cadet Strings for beginning level string students
Members of all the groups come from schools and colleges throughout West Virginia and surrounding states.

The program includes rehearsals, sectionals, ensemble playing and concerts held September through June. Master classes, summer camp, field trips, run-out concerts and other special events may be included as funding permits.

Students are presented challenging music to encourage musical growth and to provide a stimulating learning experience.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
Weekly rehearsals include full rehearsals led by the conductors of each ensemble as well as sectional classes. Sectionals are led by additional faculty members who are professional musicians. When possible, chamber groups such as string quartets, brass and woodwind quintets are formed and participate in our regular concerts.

CHAMBER ENSEMBLE PROGRAM

Playing in a chamber ensemble is an honor and is reserved for the most accomplished players in the West Virginia Youth Symphony. The program includes regular coaching from professional musicians (most are members of the West Virginia Symphony). In addition to performing in a special Chamber Ensemble Concert, ensembles are often asked to represent the WVYS by playing for special events in the community.

Students interested in participating in a chamber ensemble should notify their respective conductors and conductor’s assistants prior to or during seating auditions. Conductors will determine chamber eligibility on the basis of auditions and their general knowledge of the student’s progress.

Once the groups are established, a coaching and rehearsal schedule for each ensemble will be distributed. Chamber ensembles generally meet on Mondays from 5:30-6:30 P.M. twelve times a year (six times each semester) at Horace Mann Middle School. The general attendance policy for WVYS will apply to chamber ensembles. Failure to attend regular rehearsals, come with stands or have music prepared may result in expulsion from the program or ineligibility for the following year.

Chamber ensembles judged qualified by their coaches will perform in the WVYS Chamber Ensemble Concert on March 5 and may participate in other events including Sunday JAMS and the West Virginia Music Educators Association Competition.