Symphony Orchestra
- Full orchestra for advanced high school & college students
- Performs major symphonic works
- Side-by-Side concert with Philharmonic Orchestra on Rush Hour concert
- Conductor: Alexey Shabalin
- Rehearses Saturdays, 9:30 am–12:00 noon
Repertory Orchestra
- Full orchestra for advanced middle & high school students
- Perform some original works for orchestra
- Conductor: Vincent Mattera
- Rehearses Saturdays, 9:30 am–12:00 noon
String Orchestra
- String players in elementary & middle school
- Performs original string repertoire
- Conductor: Irina Naryshkova
- Rehearses Saturdays, 9:30 am–12:00 noon
Intermediate String Ensemble
- String players in elementary & middle school
- Performs Baroque & Classical works for small string orchestra
- Conductor: Erin Erban Quinton
- Rehearses Saturdays, 10:45 am–12:00 noon
String Ensemble
- Beginner students who have studied for one-two years
- Fundamental ensemble playing
- Conductor: Erin Quinton Erban
- Rehearses Saturdays, 9:30 am–10:30 am
Dr. David Neves, 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.
Follow the link to view Audition Requirements and submit and audition form for RIPYWE Symphonic Winds and Wind Ensemble.
For advanced woodwind, brass & percussion students
Symphonic Winds
- For advanced middle & high school students
- Conductor: Dr. David Neves
- Rehearses Wednesdays, 6:30 pm–9 pm
Wind Ensemble
- For intermediate to advanced middle & high school students
- Conductor: Aaron Bush
- Rehearses Wednesdays, 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Lois Finkel, Department Chair
Chamber Music classes provide a format for intensive study and performance of standard chamber music repertoire for string quartets, woodwind and brass quintets, piano trios and quartets and mixed ensembles. Students should have a minimum of three years playing experience. Ensembles receive weekly one-hour coaching sessions, perform in recitals and participate in master classes with RI Philharmonic Music Director Larry Rachleff. Rehearsals generally begin in October and run through May.
Chamber Music Placement
Acceptance and placement is by audition. Students are placed in groups of two or three+ students based on skill level, age and needed instrumentation.
Chamber Music Auditions
For an audition, please submit the Youth Ensembles Audition form.
This ensemble is 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.
Clarinet Choir
Conductor: Paul Surapine
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 or her skill level and interests. Ensembles are organized so that each student progresses from one level to the next. All jazz ensembles participate in two Department Recitals during the school year. New jazz & rock students audition for acceptance and placement. Returning jazz & rock students do not have to re-audition.
For audition guidelines or to submit an audition form click here.
Big Band
High School Students
- Encourages high school students to perform and appreciate jazz. They have performed at Bright Night, First Works Kids and the Philharmonic Ball.
- Coaches: Wendy Klein, Charlie Kalajian
Paul Murphy Touring Ensemble
Advanced High School Students
- 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
Funk and Fusion
Advanced High School Students
- 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
Rock Band
Middle & High School Students
- 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.
- Coaches: Liam Sullivan, George Leonard
Small Jazz Combo
Middle & High School Students
- 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.
- Coaches: Ron Sanfilippo, Charlie Kalajian
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: Charles Kalajian