Youth Orchestras & Ensembles

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Membership Auditions

Click here for more information about our 2024-2025 Season Auditions!

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new! wichita symphony Youth COncert band

We are thrilled to offer a new ensemble to our program! This spring, we will have a Youth Concert Band open to students in 6th - 8th grade. The first "season" of the Youth Concert Band is an 8-week program beginning on March 18th with a final concert open to students, parents, and the public!

Rehearsals will be held on Monday nights from 6:00 - 7:30 PM at Duerksen Fine Arts Center (WSU campus)

Tuition is $125 and need-based scholarships are available.

The application deadline has passed. 

YCB General Info 

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About Wichita Symphony Youth Orchestras & Ensembles

Support the WSYO Program

ONE TIME DONATION      RECURRING DONATION 

If you'd like to support the WSYO program, please contact Tiffany Bell Rhodes at trhodes@wso.org to discuss sponsorship options.

Thank You to Our WSYO Sponsors!

Wichita Symphony Youth Orchestras activities are made possible with the generous support provided by The City of Wichita, The Sam and Rie Bloomfield Foundation, Fidelity Bank, Star Lumber, and Cessna and Beechcraft by Textron Aviation.

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Meet our Conductors & Staff

Repertory Orchestra

Eric L. Crawford
Repertory Orchestra Conductor
Delmar and Mary Klocke Endowed Chair 

Eric Crawford is very excited to continue his new journey with the Repertory Orchestra after having been the director of Youth Chamber Players for the previous fourteen years! When not working with the Repertory Orchestra, Mr. Crawford is the director of orchestras at Wichita High School East and is the orchestra curriculum coach for Wichita Symphony Schools. He has also played bass with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra for twenty-five seasons and has been the bass player for Music Theatre Wichita for twenty-one years. A native of Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Crawford began playing double bass at the age of nine. He has a bachelor's degree in Bass Performance from the prestigious Eastman School of Music, and he also has a master's degree from Wichita State University. Mr. Crawford has conducted numerous student groups throughout the state of Kansas and frequently adjudicates at regional and state festivals. He has served as the President of the Kansas Chapter of the American String Teacher's Association as well as the President of the Wichita Chapter of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 297.

Youth Chamber Players

Catherine Tummons
Youth Chamber Players Conductor

Ms. Catherine Tummons is a native of Wichita, Kansas. She has taught band and orchestra in Wichita Public Schools since graduating from Wichita State University with a Bachelors of Music Education in 2012. She subsequently completed Kodaly certification Levels 1-3 and her Masters in Music Education in 2018 at WSU. Ms. Tummons currently teaches at Christa McAuliffe Academy and Heights High School, plays violin/viola in local orchestras, works several summer music camps, maintains a small private studio, is an active member of KASTA, and is excited to direct the Wichita Youth Chamber Players! She was named Young Teacher of the Year by the Kansas American String Teacher Association and was awarded a Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award from Wichita Public Schools. When not in rehearsal, you'll find her reading, hiking, playing board games, or doting on her two cats!

Youth Wind Ensemble

Dr. Timothy Shade
Youth Wind Ensemble Conductor

Dr. Timothy Shade is currently the Director of the School of Music and Director of Bands at Wichita State University. His responsibilities include leading the WSU Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, coordinating the graduate wind conducting program and teaching various courses within the school of music. Previous appointments include Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Alhambra Orchestra (FL), Visiting Director of Orchestras at Florida Atlantic University, and Director of Instrumental Music at Bethel College (KS). He has garnered praise for his exciting programming, engaging personality and “marvelous conducting.” Equally comfortable in the orchestral and wind realms, Shade has worked with Greater Miami Symphonic Band, The New River Orchestra, The Naples Philharmonic, The Frost Wind Ensemble, The Florida Youth Symphony, The Wichita Wind Ensemble, The Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra, and the Delano Chamber Orchestra.

Youth Concert Band

Erik Stone
Youth Concert Band Conductor

Erik Stone is a band director, music teacher, and AVID site coordinator with Wichita Public Schools at Gordon Parks Academy. Mr. Stone is an experienced guest conductor, clinician, and published author working with students from the beginning years of instruction to professional level ensembles. Since graduating from Wichita State University with both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, he has had tremendous success working with students at all ages. In July of 2017 he was recognized by the Kansas Bandmasters Association as the year’s recipient of the Outstanding Young Bandmaster Award. Most recently Erik was recognized by Wichita Public Schools as their Distinguished Classroom Teacher of the Year in 2023. He is currently their candidate for The Kansas Teacher of the Year for 2025. Additionally, he serves as a Social Media and Marketing Manager for The Kansas Music Educators Association, the Kansas Bandmasters Association, and several educational organizations. When he is not actively working on all things band and education, Erik can be found at home singing to his favorite musicals while cleaning, doing home improvement projects with friends, or spending time with his miniature dachshund, Maleficent.

Maya Grossman

Youth Orchestras Manager
Wichita Symphony Orchestra

As Youth Orchestras Manager, Maya Grossman oversees operations of all Wichita Symphony Youth Orchestras and Wind Ensemble activities. For any questions regarding our youth ensembles, contact Maya at:

mgrossman@wso.org
316.267.5259 xt 107