Youth Music Ensembles
Youth Wind Ensembles Spring 2012 Calendar
Who We Are
Our Philosophy
Our Supporters
Student Eligibility
How To Join/Auditions
Rehearsals
Fees
2012-13 Concert Dates
Who We Are
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 founded the program with one youth wind ensemble. Since then, the UWM Youth Music Ensembles have become nationally and internationally accomplished, has included offerings in wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, chamber music, and percussion. The program is recognized as an integral co-curricular component of the Peck School of the Arts, and UWAY/UJAY participants have the opportunity to work with UWM Music Faculty and Staff, and gain the invaluable experience of furthering their musicianship by performing in a university setting. 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, Youth Chamber Winds and Youth Jazz Ensembles.
topOur Philosophy
The UWM Youth Music Ensembles program is designed to supplement the fine instruction students receive from their school music programs and private music instructors by providing them with musical experiences that include: performing symphonic and chamber wind-band or jazz big-band and combo repertoire with their student peers from all over Southeastern Wisconsin, being led and inspired by the creative artist-faculty, and working closely with other musical members of the University community.
topOur Supporters
National Board of Advisors
Dr. Gary Ciepluch (Cleveland Institute/Case Western Reserve Univ.)Dr. John Climer (Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
Prof. Thomas Dvorak (UWM Youth Music Founder/Prof. Emeritus, UWM)
Prof. Michael Haithcock (Univ. of Michigan)
Dr. Gary Hill (Arizona State Univ.)
Dr. Charles Meghini (VanderCook Univ.)
Dr. Scott Stewart (Emory Univ.)
UWAY Board of Directors
Clayton Wachholz, Cedarburg High SchoolTom Reifenberg, Greendale High School
Jacob Polancich, Hartland Arrowhead High School
John Woger, Menomonee Falls High School
Sharie Garcia, Milwaukee High School of the Arts
Jennifer Climer, Muskego High School
Amy Fuchs, Oak Creek High School
Jon Waite, Sussex Hamilton High School
Kristi Wicihowski, West Allis Nathan Hale High School
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Student Eligibility
Students may be a part of the Youth MUSIC Ensembles upon being recommended (nominated) by their high school music/bands teacher(s), by a private music teacher on their instrument, or by qualifying through the annual Spring (May) auditions. Members of the UWM Youth MUSIC Ensembles must also be enrolled in and remain active with some aspect of their school’s music program.
- The Youth Wind Ensembles (UWAY 1/Chamber Winds and UWAY 2) are open to students entering grades 9-12 in fall 2012
- The Youth Jazz Ensembles are open to students entering grades 6-12 in fall 2012. To remain eligible and in good standing, students must attend all regular (weekly) rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances of their assigned ensemble(s).
Letter to private teachers and band directors
Audition Request/Nomination Form
topHow To Join/Auditions
- UWAY/UJAY Spring Auditions are held each May for students to gain acceptance to our respective programs. See specific Spring Audition dates below. Separate Spring Auditions are required for UWAY and UJAY. For accepted students, the Fall Chair Placement Auditions will be held on Sunday, August 26, 2012.
- Band directors and private instrument teachers are encouraged to nominate/recommend students using the UWAY/UJAY Student Audition Request/Recommendation Form (see PDF file above). Students NEW TO UWAY/UJAY may also request a Spring Auditions through using the same form. CURRENT UWAY students do not have to be re-nominated, and will be able to schedule their Spring Audition (for 2012-13) at an upcoming UWAY rehearsal.
- The Spring Audition Request/Nomination forms need to be received by the UWAY office before an audition can be scheduled. While there is no hard deadline, we recommend submitting these forms as soon as possible! (See return information at the bottom of the form.) For more information about scheduling an audition, contact our office (414-229-5641).
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- Youth WIND Ensembles (UWAY 1/Chamber Winds & UWAY 2) Spring 2012 Auditions
- To schedule or confirm a UWAY audition appointment, call our office at 414-229-5641.
- On-campus Audition dates: May 15 (6-8pm) or May 16 (4-7pm).
- UWAY Satellite Audition Sites (held at various high school band rooms – but open to students from ANY school)…more details and info coming soon!
- Other school visits: Our audition staff will visit any school with 6-8 interested students. Interested band directors should contact Prof. Corley scorley@uwm.edu to schedule a school visit for UWAY auditions.
- UWAY Audition materials:
- Prepare 5 major scales for your personal range of your instrument: in your instrument's keys of C, F, B-flat, G, and D (all of these should be prepared, but they may not all be performed).
- Prepare a (minimum) 2-octave chromatic scale, to be performed ascending and descending.
- Prepare a solo or etude of your choice. The solo/etude should reflect your personal strengths, but should not exceed 4 minutes of music.
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- Youth JAZZ Ensembles (UJAY 1 & UJAY 2) Spring Auditions
- Call the UJAY Office at 262-498-7127 or 414-229-2541 to schedule or confirm an audition appointment time.
- UJAY Audition Dates: May 15 (4-6pm), May 17 (4-6pm), and May 19 (9-12pm).
- Ask about specific audition requirements when you call to schedule the audition. Improvisation is encouraged, but not required.
Rehearsals
- UWAY 1/Chamber Winds and UWAY 2 all hold simultaneous weekly rehearsals on TUESDAY NIGHTS (6:30-9:00 p.m.) at UWM’s Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts (2419 E. Kenwood Blvd.)
- UJAY 1/UJAY 2 hold weekly rehearsals on THURSDAY afternoons/evenings at the UWM Music Building (3223 N. Downer Ave). Specific rehearsal times will be announced later.
Fees
Students who are accepted to the program will receive an Invitation Packet in late May/early June. Students must accept the invitation by submitting the fee (or portion of the fee) by July 1. Our 2011-12 fee schedule is listed here, Updates – if any - will be included in the Invitation Packet.
- First-year UWAY or UJAY students: $395
- Returning UWAY or UJAY students: $345
- Students who participate in BOTH UWAY and UJAY: $305 per program ($610 total)
- Students who participate in UWAY and MYSO (acceptance documentation required): $305 per program (SEPARATE payments of $305 to UWAY and MYSO offices, respectively.)
- Additional scholarships (fee reductions) are available. Information about qualifying for financial assistance is made available to students who are accepted through the Spring audition process.
2012-13 Concert Dates
Sunday, October 21, 2012 (3pm) — Chamber Winds & Symphonic Winds
Sunday, December 2, 2012 (3pm) — UWAY 1, 2 & Chamber Winds
Sunday, December 16, 2012 (7:30pm) — UJAY 1 & 2 with UWM Jazz Ensemble
Sunday, March 3, 2013 (3pm) — UWAY 1, 2 & Chamber Winds
Sunday, April 28, 2013 (7:30pm) — UWAY 1, 2 & Chamber Winds
Sunday, May 12, 2013 (7:30pm) — UJAY 1 & 2 with UWM Jazz Ensemble