Walla Walla Symphony

WWSYO provides an unique opportunity to rehearse and perform in a large, full-symphonic ensemble alongside other musicians from across the region. This ensemble includes strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Musicians rehearse weekly with Bruce Walker, and perform 2-3 concerts each year.

Schedule

Fall 2024 rehearsals will be Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:15, from September 18 through January 15, with one Sunday afternoon "Rehearse-a-Thon" on September 29 and the Spring Concert on January 22.

Spring 2025 rehearsals will be Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:15, from February 5 through April 30, with one Sunday afternoon "Rehearse-a-thon" on Fabruary 23 and the Spring Concert on May 7.

A full rehearsal and concert calendar can be viewed on Google Calendar. Please note that this calendar is subject to change but that we hope to stick to it!

Location

Most rehearsals are held in the Pioneer Middle School orchestra room. Thanks to Ms. Woods for the space! Occassionally, due to building use conflicts, a rehearsal may be held at the Walla Walla High School orchestra room. Concerts, Dress Rehearsals, and Rehearse-a-thons are held at Chism Hall on Whitman College Campus.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to participate in WWSYO, you must also be enrolled in your school's music ensemble, if one is offered. If instruction on your primary instrument is not available at your school, we encourage you to participate in another ensemble of your school music program. Students who are homeschooled full-time, or who are enrolled full-time in Running Start, the Opportunity Program, or Online School (and do not matriculate to any other school programs offered), are strongly encouraged to participate in a school music program, but are not required to do so. 
Please contact us if you are not sure that you are eligible!

Although this program is designed for musicians in grades 8-12, exceptions can be made! We welcome registrations from younger musicians who are up for the challenge of a higher level orchestra.

Auditions

Auditions are a very casual part of the WWSYO Program, meant to help Director Bruce Walker to know the skill set of his ensemble and to help place students when there is more than one part per instrument. You're welcome to join the ensemble before you audition to "try it out first."

To submit your audition, please prepare 2-5 minutes of musical material which demonstrates your technical and lyrical ability on your instrument. You can record yourself playing this material and submit a "virtual audition" in this matter, or request a time to audition live for Mr. Walker.

Auditions will be taken throughout the month of September for Fall session - this means a student can join WWSYO for the first several rehearsals while still preparing an audition. All students will need to audition, even if they were enrolled in WWSYO in the previous year.

Virtual Auditions: You can record yourself performing this material on a phone, tablet, or other device if you choose to audition virtually, and you will receive a link to submit your audition video via email upon submission of this form, at the email address you provide. You may submit your audition video any time between when you register and September 30th.

In-person Auditions: You may choose to request an in-person audition  with WWSYO Director Bruce Walker when you complete this registration form. These auditions will be held after rehearsals in September or at the Rehearse-a-Thon on September 29th.

Communication

We seend weekly emails to all participants and their parents/guardians with general information about rehearsals, extra musical opportunities, free concert tickets to Walla Walla Symphony events and other partnering musical events, and other announcements. Please be sure to provide a working email address during registration, where you will receive these emails!

Questions

Please direct all questions to emily@wwsymphony.org.