David Martins, Music Director
Founded in 2002, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensembles were created
to give advanced woodwind, brass and percussion students from Rhode Island and
nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut an outstanding opportunity to rehearse and
perform high quality wind ensemble repertoire. RIPYWE offers these students a challenging and rewarding musical experience.
For advanced woodwind, brass & percussion students
Senior Division
- Grades 10-12
- Conductor: David Martins
Junior Division
- Grades 7-9
- Conductor: Marc Blanchette
These ensembles are designed for middle and high school students. Players study standard literature, learn ensemble playing skills and present recitals. Students should have a minimum of three years playing experience and are placed by age and ability.
Flute Ensembles
Conductor: John Curran
Day and time TBD
Conductor: Karen Marks
Day and time TBD
Prelude Flute Choir
This class is designed for young flute players in grades 4 - 6. Students will focus on beginning ensemble playing and flute technique. It is not necessary for students in this class to take private lessons.
Teacher: Susan Thomas
Mondays, 4:00 - 4:45 pm
Clarinet Choir
Conductor: Paul Surapine
Tuesdays, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Wendy Klein, Department Chair
The Jazz & Rock Department offers a complete program of training for students interested in jazz or rock performance. Each student is placed in an ensemble based on his/her ability. Ensembles are organized so that each student can progress from one level to the next. All jazz ensembles participate in two Department Recitals during the school year.
Big Band
- Encourages high school students to perform and appreciate jazz. They have performed at Bright Night, First Works Kids and the Philharmonic Ball.
- Coach: Wendy Klein; Wednesdays, 7-8:30 pm
Paul Murphy Touring Ensemble
- 5-8 piece R&B ensemble that features horns, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals. Open to advanced high school and college age musicians by audition. This group was formed in honor of the late R&B guitarist Paul Murphy.
- Coach: Greg Takemoto; Thursdays, 7:30-9 pm
Jazz Performers Combo
- This challenging performance-oriented ensemble is designed for advanced high school jazz musicians
- Coach: John McKenna; Mondays, 7-8 pm
Funk and Fusion
- This group specializes in music with jazz harmonies and the rhythmic complexity of funk. There are opportunities to play multi-horn arrangements and to improvise.
- Coach: Greg Takemoto; Thursdays, 6:15-7:15 pm
Music Majors’ Jazz Combo
- This group is for high school students who plan to major in music in college and pursue music as a career. Students select the repertoire and create their own arrangements of the music they perform.
- Coach: Jeff Cashen; Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00 pm
Classic Jazz Combo
- For students with an interest in building repertoire, working on improvisational skills and creating their own arrangements from lead sheets
- Coach: Greg Takemoto; Tuesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Rock Combo
- Students develop technique, ensemble skills and solo performance ability while working on great rock standards. They are encouraged to bring their own compositions and arrangements to class.
- Section A: Coach Greg Takemoto; Tuesdays, 7:35 – 8:35 pm
- Section B: Coach: Mike Bernier; Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Jazz Improvisation Combo
- This small ensemble of 4-6 high school students (2 horns, 3-4 member rhythm section) develop improvisational skills in the jazz tradition. Goals focus on the function and development of the rhythm section and their interaction with the soloists and the use of chord scales, improvisational techniques and practice routines.
- Coach: Ron Sanfilippo; Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Junior Jazz Improvisation Combo
- This small ensemble for students in grades 6 – 8 shares the same goals and focus as the Jazz Improvisation Combo for high school students. (see page 11)
- Coach: Ron Sanfilippo; Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Small Jazz Combo
- This group is for dedicated young musicians entering the world of jazz. Students will work on jazz repertoire with an emphasis on ensemble skills and improvisation.
- Conductor: Ron Sanfilippo;
- Section A - Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00 pm.
- Section B - Tuesdays, 7:00-8:00pm
Percussion Ensemble
The percussion ensemble performs and studies world drumming styles from the Caribbean, Africa and Brazil as well as contemporary American styles (Rock, Funk, Jazz). The ensemble learns basic hand drumming styles from conga drumming, timbales, drum-set and small percussion skills. The ensemble also learns beginner and intermediate tuned percussion pieces by Vic Firth and Thomas O’Conner as well as their own original compositions. The ensemble meets once a week. Students will perform in recital at the end of each semester.
Conductor: Rick Andre
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Steel Pan (Drum)
The steel pan evolved out of the early music of people of African descent on the island of Trinidad. Today modern steel pans are a perfectly tuned family of instruments whose voices range from tenor to bass. It is the dream of the Mr. Roseman to duplicate, as close as possible, the musical environment he was exposed to while learning steel pans in Trinidad.
Steel Band
This ensemble will rehearse once a week from November to June. Members of the Steel Band will learn and perform a variety of music styles that include Calypso, Soca, Bossa Nova and Pop.
Teacher: Jason Roseman
Mondays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Minimum 6 students
Steel pans will be available for student use during class time. They are available to buy, with a rent-to-own payment option.