About Oshkosh Youth Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia

 

The Oshkosh Youth Symphony Orchestra (OYSO) was originally formed in 1969, when the Oshkosh Area Public Schools decided that students having special interests and talents in instrumental music needed an outlet for their abilities.  In 1981, OYSO, as we know it today, came into existence when the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Music Department approached the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra to co-sponsor OYSO.  A second youth orchestra, Philharmonia, was added in 2007 for middle and high school musicians working their way up to the level of performance required of OYSO musicians.  

 

Geraldine Grine has performed in the role of OYSO Musical Director and Conductor since 1987. She is principal clarinet in the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra and was a conductor and music teacher in the Oshkosh Public School System. She performs regularly at the Green Lake Festival and the Victorian Bach Festival. Geri, a native of Maui, Hawaii, attended Lawrence and Northwestern Universities.  Philharmonia is co-conducted by Ms. Yukiko Grine and Mr. Timm Lyons.

 

The mission of OYSO and Philharmonia is:  1. to educate young musicians in a professional symphony atmosphere.  2. to train youth under the guidance of professional musicians from the Water City Chamber Orchestra.  3. to create opportunities where area youth learn and perform a wide variety of symphonic music

 

OYSO consists of approximately 90 young musicians in primarily grades 8 through 12 from Oshkosh, Neenah, Fond du Lac, Appleton and other surrounding communities within a 60 mile radius of Oshkosh.  The Oshkosh Youth Symphony Orchestra has been invited to showcase their talent in such venues as the Midwest Clinic, an International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago in 2006.  OYSO has also sponsored and performed with the renowned youth Taiko drum group, Zenshin Daiko, of Maui, Hawaii, in Oshkosh and at other Fox Valley schools. Youth Symphony musicians have gone on to play professionally in Minneapolis, Boston, Dublin and other cities.

 

 

The rehearsal and concert schedule for OYSO and Philharmonia runs from September through April.  For OYSO, rehearsals are normally held Monday evenings in the basement of the Arts & Communication Building, UW-Oshkosh from 6:30-8:45 pm. Philharmonia rehearses on Monday evenings Oshkosh North High School from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  Additional dress rehearsals prior to concerts are scheduled by the conductors.

 

Special concert trips are planned periodically for musicians and parents.  Last season, a bus trip was made to Chicago to hear the internationally known Simon Bolivar Youth Symphony of Venezuela with Gustavo Dudamel conducting.

 

 

Membership fees for OYSO and Philharmonia are $125 per student with scholarships available based on need.  These fees cover approximately one half of the major expenses incurred by OYSO and Philharmonia during a concert season which include honorariums and salaries paid to conductors and sectional coaches, building rent, guest artist fees, music purchase and rental, promotional materials, printing and postage and bus transportation for spring tours.  

 

OYSO and Philharmonia rely heavily on the support of local grants and donations to pay the remaining operational expenses.  Contributions made to OYSO and Philharmonia are tax-deductible.  Checks, corporate matches, or other gifts may be made payable to OYSO/Philharmonia and mailed to 200B City Center, P.O. Box 522, Oshkosh, WI 54903.

 

Parent involvement is expected, both in supporting their musician and contributing volunteer hours.  Parent meetings are normally held during the first Monday of the month at 6:15 pm in the basement of the Arts & Communication Building, UW-Oshkosh.  A parent board helps to coordinate and work with other parent volunteers to run a successful youth symphony program.