ATTENTION DIRECTORS & PRIVATE TEACHERS

For information on Youth Wind Ensemble auditions, click here.

For information on Youth Jazz Ensemble auditions, click here.

The nomination system is now closed.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Youth Music Ensembles program is an out-reach program of the Peck School of the Arts Department of Music. Founded in 1982 as the Greater Milwaukee Youth Wind Ensemble, Professor Emeritus Thomas Dvorak started the program with one youth wind ensemble. Since then, the UWM Youth Music Ensembles have become nationally and internation-ally accomplished, and the program is recognized as an integral co-curricular component of the Peck School of the Arts. The Youth Music Ensembles program is sponsored by the UWM Department of Music and University Bands, and works in cooperation with Wisconsin high school music programs. It currently includes Youth Wind Ensembles and Youth Jazz Ensembles.

PHILOSOPHY
The UWM Youth Music Ensembles program is designed to enhance and augment the fine instruction students receive from middle and high school music teachers and private music instructors as well as their own personal discipline through practice. The underlying philosophy and purpose of the program is to provide talented middle and high school musicians from southeastern Wisconsin with the opportunity of to perform repertoire of the highest caliber with their student peers, while being led and inspired by the creative artist-faculty and staff of the UWM Youth Music Ensembles.

ELIGIBILITY
Students may audition to be a part of the Youth Music Ensembles upon being recommended by their high school music/bands teachers or a private music teacher on their instrument. Members of the UWM Youth Music Ensembles must be enrolled concurrently in some aspect of their school's music program. The Youth Wind Ensembles are open to students entering grades 9-12 in fall 2009; the Youth Jazz Ensembles are open to students entering grades 6-12 in fall 2009. Students must attend all regular rehearsals and per-formances of their respective ensembles.

FEES
A one-time fee will be assessed for participation in the UWM Youth Music Ensembles. This fee includes all instruction, materials, and costs related to concert venues, equipment, etc. Students who are cross-enrolled in the UWM Youth Music Ensembles and the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra receive a reduced tuition rate. Students who participate in both the Wind and Jazz components receive a reduced tuition rate. 2009-10 rates will be released shortly.

NOMINATIONS

• Students must be nominated by a school music or private lessons teacher no later than Friday, March 27, 2009. Only students who are endorsed by a teacher will be considered for audition.
  
  
• Nominated students who meet the initial criteria for audition will receive a special packet of information and instructions by April 17, 2009.
  
  
• Upon being invited to audition, students must call the appropriate Youth Music Ensemble office to make an audition appointment during one of the scheduled audition times.
  Youth Wind Ensembles: 414.229.5641
  Youth Jazz Ensembles: 414.229.2451