Charlotte Youth Wind Ensembles

wind ensemble

CHARLOTTE YOUTH WIND ENSEMBLES (CYWE)

The Charlotte Youth Wind Ensembles (CYWE), now preparing for its thirty-third season, has established itself as one of the Carolinas’ premier student musical organizations. Following a weekly series of six rehearsals, the band will present a concert featuring the Wind Ensemble and our honor chamber. Students from the Charlotte metro area have been members of the Charlotte Youth Wind Ensembles, which are sponsored by the Department of Music of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Members of CYWE have been accepted into many of the finest music schools in the United States and have gone on to win major orchestral and military band positions, university teaching positions, and have performed across the world.

MISSION

The mission of CYWE is to provide the ultimate concert band experience for highly talented high school students as a musical enrichment program. High performance standards and punctual attendance are expected of all CYWE musicians. Our aim is to present the highest caliber band music in a university-level rehearsal and performance atmosphere. Students receive instruction and perform in both large ensemble and chamber music, working with UNC Charlotte band and applied faculty in rehearsals, masterclasses, and chamber music coachings.

ELIGIBILITY

CYWE auditions and membership are open to all North and South Carolina band students in grades 9-12. All CYWE musicians must be enrolled in their school band or orchestra program. Home-schooled musicians are also eligible.

AUDITIONS

Auditions will be held at UNC Charlotte’s Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts, on Sunday, December 8 beginning at 10:00am and going until approximately 2:00pm.

Audition registration is linked at the bottom of this page.

The Audition Score Sheet is broken down into three scored categories, totaling 100 points: SOLO (80 points), SCALES (10 points) and SIGHT-READING (10 points).

  • SOLO (80 points): Each student should prepare the All-State Solo for his or her instrument. Students should use their district cuts for the solo.

Scoring for the solo is broken down into seven categories scored as follows:

TONE 20 pts
INTONATION 10 pts
TECHNIQUE 10 pts
RHYTHM 10 pts
ARTICULATION 10 pts
DYNAMICS 10 pts
INTERPRETATION/PHRASING 10 pts

Percussion uses a different scoring rubric, but the total score is still based on 100 points.

  • SCALES (10 points): Scale requirements are the same for all students regardless of grade level and are as follows:

Chromatic — A full range chromatic scale, within the practical range of the instrument.

Major Scales — Students should be prepared to play major scales up to four sharps or flats, although the judge will ask for only two (one flat key and one sharp key) due to time restrictions.

**Percussion should be prepared to play basic rudiments and required scales for mallet instruments.

  • SIGHT-READING (10 points): A brief sight-reading example will be selected by the judge and the student will have one minute to study the music before being asked to play.

REHEARSALS/CONCERTS

Rehearsals will be held weekly on Tuesday evenings from 6:15-9:15 p.m beginning on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

6:15 – 7:00 – Chamber Music Coachings and Masterclasses

7:15 – 9:15 – Full Band Rehearsal

Rehearsals:

  • Tuesday, January 7

  • Tuesday, January 14

  • Tuesday, January 21

  • Tuesday, January 28

  • ​Tuesday, February 4

  • Tuesday, February 11

  • Sunday, February 16 5:00-7:30PM Dress Rehearsal

Concert: Tuesday, February 18, 7:30pm UNC Charlotte – Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts

All rehearsals are held at UNC Charlotte’s Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts. This site is easily accessible for students traveling from any part of the region.

Students accepted into CYWE will receive music in advance of the first rehearsal and, similar to an All-State band or orchestra experience, will be expected to come to the first rehearsal with the music technically prepared.

​CYWE APPLICATION/FEES

CYWE online registration and payment are available at the link below. A $10 non-refundable registration fee (payable online) is due at the time of registration.

Upon receipt of notification that a student is accepted as a member of CYWE, they will receive a rehearsal schedule and a contract for membership, which must be signed by the student and parent and returned to CYWE at the first rehearsal. The tuition for CYWE membership (once selected through audition) is $140 for the season, payable online. These funds are used to purchase sheet music, commission/new music fund, reserve performance facilities, faculty masterclass and chamber music coaches, and for staffing needs.

Online audition registration and payment option is available at:


For further information, please contact the UNC Charlotte Director of Bands, Hunter Kopczynski, at hkopczyn@charlotte.edu