Orchestra History

The Winston-Salem Youth Symphony was founded in 1973 by
co-conductors Lynn Peters (Winston-Salem Symphony Principal
Bass) and Nancy Kredel under the auspices of the North Carolina
School of the Arts.  In its first season it was a string orchestra with
winds added the following year.  Peggey Wheeler became
Assistant Conductor when Nancy Kredel left in 1978.  Other
assistant conductors included Richard Cook, Minnie Lou Raper,
Danny Green and Fred Rierson.

The Winston-Salem Symphony joined the NCSA in sponsoring
the WSYS in 1994 when Robert Franz became the orchestra's
second Music Director and the Education Director for the WSS.
A string orchestra, the Junior Youth Symphony, was formed in
the same year with Latoya Sammons as conductor.  Other
conductors of the Youth Symphony include Richard Cook (1997-98),
Skip Taylor (1998-2001) and Sabrina Howard (2001-2002).  In
1999 Margaret Rehder became the conductor of the Junior Youth
Symphony later called the Repertory Orchestra.

In 2002 the official name of the organization became the
Winston-Salem Youth Orchestras with the more experienced
orchestra remaining the Youth Symphony and the Repertory
Orchestra becoming the Youth Philharmonic.

The Youth Philharmonic Music Director Margaret Rehder is in her
fourth season.  Since 1984 she has led the orchestra programs at
Reynolds High School and Wiley Middle School, and she has
played with the Winston-Salem Symphony since 1979.  She holds
degrees in violin performance from Meredith College (B.M.) and
the North Carolina School of the Arts (M.M.).

The WSYO Artistic Director David Hagy was hired in 2002.  He is
the Orchestra Director at Wake Forest University and the Music
Director of the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra.  He holds a B.M. in
violin performance from Indiana University and a D.M.A. in
orchestral conducting from Yale University.  This season the
assistant conductor of the WSYS is Matthew Webb who studies
conducting with Dr. Hagy at Wake Forest University.

The Youth Orchestra is jointly sponsored by the WSYO Parents
Association, the Winston-Salem Symphony, and the North Carolina
School of the Arts.  The orchestra is currently taking steps to
maintain these important partners while becoming an independent
organization.

The members of WSYO Parents Association contribute many
volunteer hours to help the orchestra function and to raise money. 
The Winston-Salem Symphony provides administrative support
through its Executive Director, Development Director, Financial
Manager and Education Director.  The North Carolina School of
the Arts and Wake Forest University provide rehearsal and
performance space.