For teens who find that making music with a French horn or percussion instrument gives “wings to their minds” as PLATO described music, Winds of Wisconsin (WOW) provides them with many opportunities to soar.
WOW, a Continuing Studies program, offers a select group of Wisconsin high school wind and percussion instrumentalists the opportunity to practice and perform traditional and contemporary compositions for wind bands.
In March, the group offered its first concert this semester. If you would like to hear some of the performance, go to the UW online concert calendar and click on March 4.
“These outstanding youth musicians work with faculty whose primary interest is musical education for young people,” said Anne Aley, program director. “The current music conductor is Scott Teeple, an assistant professor.”
Students must audition for the program and come with references from their music instructors. When accepted, they participate in a master class with UW-Madison music faculty, two concerts that include five rehearsals for each, and sectionals. The semester-long program costs $150; auditions for next fall are Sept. 30. WOW is offered fall and spring semesters.
In the past, the group has played selections from Johannes Brahms, Hector Berlioz and J. S. Bach as well as contemporary compositions.
For more information about WOW which receives some assistance from the School of Music, visit its website, or call 263-2242.