The Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony (AYWS) performs four concerts annually on the Emory University campus. The AYWS has participated in commissioned compositions, premieres, and tours. Guest composers, conductors, and soloists of national renown are regularly invited to perform with the students. The group releases a compact disc compilation annually, and has plans for a studio recording in the near future.
The AYWS is composed of approximately 80 students in these areas: flute/piccolo, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, alto/tenor/baritone saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, piano, harp, and string bass.
Membership since 1988 has been drawn from approximately sixty different high schools in Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton, Cherokee, Coweta, Henry, Clayton, Rockdale, Morgan, and Forsyth counties. In addition, students have recently traveled as far as Augusta and Rome to participate. Membership is competitive by auditions, and students are required to be enrolled in their own school music programs.
The budget of the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony is drawn from the membership fee, $250.00 per student for the year, as well as corporate and private sponsorship. Emory University provides rehearsal and performance space and some repertoire from the Instrumental Music library. The Emory Concerts Division provides support for performances in the form of programs, ushering, stage management, lights, and sound.
The Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony is based at Emory University in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. The group rehearses Monday evenings during the school year 7:30-9:30 pm, preparing each of four concerts in approximately six rehearsal periods.
