Rivers Youth Wind Ensembles | The Rivers School Conservatory

About RYWE

The Rivers Youth Wind Ensembles program comprises two wind ensembles for students in grades 5-12. Each ensemble performs two concerts a year. Rehearsals take place on Mondays after school throughout the academic year.

Students who currently participate in RYWE are also encouraged to register for Summer Band. RYWE musicians do not need to audition for Summer Band.

2025-2026 Concert Dates:
Monday, December 8 2025 @ 7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 13 2026 @ 7:30 p.m.

RYWE Junior
Nicole O’Toole, conductor
Rehearsals: Mondays, 5:00–6:15 p.m.

The Rivers Youth Wind Ensemble Junior is open to woodwind, brass and percussion students ready to tackle intermediate concert band repertoire. The ensemble is designed to provide musicians the opportunity to perform with like-minded advanced students. Students in this ensemble are comfortable playing several 2-octave scales and a chromatic scale on a large range on their instrument. Repertoire is at the Junior District level.

RYWE Senior
Claire Nalven, conductor
Rehearsals: Mondays, 6:30–8:00 p.m.

The Rivers Youth Wind Ensemble Senior is open to all woodwind, brass, and percussion students. The ensemble is designed to provide musicians the opportunity to perform the finest contemporary and traditional repertoire in an advanced wind ensemble setting. Students in this ensemble have developed their technique, possess a high degree of musicianship, and maintain a mature sound. Repertoire is at the Senior District level.

Important Links:
2025-2026 Rehearsal Schedule
RYWE Handbook
Past Concert Programs

2026-27 Auditions

Auditions for the Rivers Youth Wind Ensembles 26-27 season are Monday, May 4 and Monday, May 11 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Interested students should fill out the audition application below.

Current RYWE students do not need to re-audition unless they want to move from Junior to Senior.

Interested students who are not able to attend the audition dates should reach out to the RYWE Manager, Kira Ousey (k.ousey@rivers.org) to arrange an alternate audition opportunity.

Click here to register for an audition

Audition Requirements

All students should bring an extra copy of their solo piece(s) for the conductors to reference during the audition.

Woodwinds, Brass, and String Bass
Students should prepare a piece that best showcases their ability: pieces should be at the junior or senior districts level or higher. Students should also prepare 2 major scales of their choice and a chromatic scale. Scales should showcase the student’s range and ability. For scale level reference, see the Eastern Junior District Scale Requirements.

Percussion
Students must audition in at least two of the following areas:
– Mallets: 12 major scales in 2 octaves, solo that demonstrates ability, sight-reading
– Timpani: Tuning to given pitches, solo that demonstrates ability, sight-reading
– Snare: Long Roll (open-closed-open), Single Stroke Roll, solo that demonstrates ability, sight-reading

Questions?

Claire Nalven, RYWE Director
Kira Ousey, RYWE Manager
Nicole O’Toole, RYWE Jr Conductor