Students who have successfully completed the audition to join the Louisville Youth Wind Symphony can find important member information below.
Tuition
Tuition for the 2025 LYWS Season is $350 (nonrefundable) and due December 1.
Calendar and Attendance
The 2025 Louisville Youth Wind Symphony season runs from January – May with a culminating concert on Sunday, May 11, 2025. 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 1, 2024: LYWS Application opens
- Mid-August: Audition excerpts available
- September 27, 2024: Application deadline
- October 4, 2024: Video Recorded Audition deadline
- November 1, 2024: Applicants notified of status via email
- December 1, 2024: Tuition deadline
- December 8, 2024: Concerto Competition Audition
- January 5, 2025: First rehearsal & Parent meeting
- May 10, 2025: Dress rehearsal with composer John Mackey
- May 11, 2025: Concert
Concerto Competition
The Louisville Youth Wind Symphony is honored to partner with the Louisville Concert Band to host its inaugural 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 on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
AUDITION DETAILS
- Students must be currently enrolled in the Louisville Youth Wind Symphony.
- Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion students are eligible to apply.
- Students must be available for the rehearsals during the evenings of January 12, February 2, and February 16, 2025 and the performance date (February 23, 2025, 2 PM) with the Louisville Concert Band.
- 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 8, 2024 (In-person at UofL School of Music)
Composer-In-Residence
The LYWS is excited to announce its first composer-in-residence, John Mackey, who will join the students of the LYWS for a weekend rehearsal intensive and the concert performance of his monumental Wine-Dark Sea: Symphony for Band. John Mackey is one of the most prolific wind band composers of our time. His Wine-Dark Sea Symphony is an intense 30-minute work at the professional level and a nod to Homer’s Greek epic poem The Odyssey. A full bio of John Mackey, including more information about Wine-Dark Sea: Symphony for Band can be found at: https://www.johnmackey.com/