Observer tours with WYSO Concert Orchestra; Salutes 40th Anniversary of WYSO

On Wednesday, The Observer was pleased to be a chaperone for the WYSO tour that took the orchestra on tour of three intermediate schools----Mt. Horeb, Mazo and Cross Plains, to play a concert for each three schools.

WYSO is a non-taxpayer funded organization organized by Prof. Rabin 40 years ago and dedicated to musical excellence. It features four orchestras that are auditioned for, and over the past 40 years over 3000 students from 4th to 12th grade have participated in these orchestras. Most of the instruments involved are larger than the kids as I observed. Anyway, I was pleased to be on the "Brass Bus", bus #3. I was part of the detail that moved some of the percussion stuff at each gig, and after a full day of it, I am not sure I am ready for the world tour. Anyway----

My daughter, Molly, is in the entry level orchestra. Being a WYSO students involves the committment of practicing 33 Saturday mornings a year for three hours in Madison. Kids come from all over Southern Wisconsin for this effort. Tuition is about $400 to $500 per year depending on orchestra, and the tuition only covers about a third of the cost.

Evansville has a proud tradition of WYSO members. Students from EHS who were seniors helped Molly with tips on what she needed to improve on prior to audition, and encouraged her to make the effort. Her teacher, Mr.Z, has been supportive in making it possible to make the committment to the additional orchestra.

There is really a whole new world in the "brass bus." Horn players are a breed all apart and I learned that they do need a lot of confidence so when the maestro beckons for their section they can do their thing with confidence.

I urge any parents that have a youngster interested in music to explore WYSO and ask their teacher at school for more information or click on the post for info from the web. Enjoy.