ABOUT
Under the direction of Dr. Amy Acklin, the Louisville Youth Wind Symphony launched its Inaugural Season in January 2025 as the premier honor wind band in surrounding KY and IN areas, representing over 80 high school students from 23 participating schools. The Inaugural Season welcomed Composer-In-Residence, John Mackey, for a performance of his monumental Wine-Dark Sea: Symphony for Band and featured euphonium soloist Eric Maxey as the winner of the Inaugural Concerto Competition.
With a teaching staff of over 30 music professionals, the LYWS program offers artistry-level musical experiences for advanced high school band students. The season runs from January to May and focuses on Grade 5 and Grade 6 collegiate and professional level repertoire for full band and chamber ensemble. The LYWS is proud to serve in residence at the University of Louisville School of Music as an outreach program of the University of Louisville Bands.
STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY IN THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY
The University of Louisville strives to foster and sustain an environment of inclusiveness that empowers us all to achieve our highest potential without fear of prejudice or bias. We commit ourselves to building an exemplary educational Community that offers and promotes a nurturing and challenging intellectual climate, a respect for the spectrum of human intellectual diversity, and a genuine understanding of the many differences that enrich a vibrant metropolitan research university.
2026 COMPOSER-IN-RESIDENCE
The LYWS is excited to announce the 2026 Composer-in-Residence Omar Thomas, who will join the students of the LYWS for a masterclass and concert of his tour-de-force Come Sunday. Omar’s works have been performed by such diverse groups as the Eastman New Jazz Ensemble, the San Francisco and Boston Gay Mens’ Choruses, The United States Marine Band, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Symphony Orchestra, and the Showa Wind Symphony, in addition to a number of the country’s top collegiate music ensembles. A Yamaha Master Educator, he is currently an Associate Professor of Composition and Jazz Studies at The University of Texas at Austin. A full bio of Omar Thomas, including more information about his works, can be found at: https://www.omarthomas.com/
2026 COMMISSIONED WORK
The LYWS is proud to announce our 1st commissioned work by composer Tyler Taylor which will be premiered May 17, 2026. A composer-performer and teaching artist from Louisville, KY, Taylor’s recent honors include the Cleveland Orchestra Daniel R. Lewis Composer Fellowship (2025–28), the San Francisco Symphony Michael Morgan Prize (2024), the Copland House Residency Award (2023), an I-Park Foundation Residency (2023), and the Louisville Orchestra Creator Corps Residency (2022–23). A full bio of Tyler Taylor, including more information about his works, can be found at: https://tylertaylorcomposer.com/
TUITION
Tuition for the 2026 LYWS Season is $350 (nonrefundable) and due December 1.
CALENDAR AND ATTENDANCE
The 2026 Louisville Youth Wind Symphony season runs from January – May with a culminating concert on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Rehearsals are held weekly on Sunday’s from 2:00-5:00pm at the University of Louisville School of Music. Attendance at all rehearsals is mandatory. One personal absence is allowed for the season. Mandatory school events may be excused with prior notice to Dr. Acklin. No excused absences are allowed 2 weeks prior to the concert.
TIMELINE
- August 15, 2025: LYWS Application opens
- Mid-August: Audition excerpts available
- October 3, 2025: Application deadline
- October 10, 2025: Video-Recorded Audition deadline
- November 1, 2025: Applicants notified of status via email
- December 1, 2025: Tuition deadline
- December 6, 2025: Concerto Competition Audition
- January 2-3, 2026: LYWS Rehearsal Retreat & Parent meeting
- May 15, 2026: Dress rehearsal with Composer-In-Residence Omar Thomas
- May 16, 2026: Concert: Featuring Works of Omar Thomas & Premiere of 1st LYWS Commissioned Work by Composer Tyler Taylor
CONCERTO COMPETITION
The Louisville Youth Wind Symphony is honored to partner with the Louisville Concert Band to host 2nd Annual Concerto Competition and provide a solo performance opportunity with this professional ensemble. All LYWS students are eligible to audition. The winning student will be chosen through a competitive audition process and perform with the Louisville Concert Band.
AUDITION DETAILS
- Students must be currently enrolled in the Louisville Youth Wind Symphony.
- Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion students are eligible to apply.
- Repertoire may include a solo, concerto, or selected movement(s) from a multi-movement work. Repertoire selections of the winning performer must be approved by the Music Directors of the Louisville Youth Wind Symphony and the Louisville Concert Band.
- Students will have 10 minutes of performance time allowed during the audition.
- A piano accompanist at the audition is optional.
- Chosen work must have an available band accompaniment available to rent or purchase.
- An application link with audition times will be sent on November 1 to all LYWS members.
- Audition Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 (In-person at UofL School of Music)