June 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
6:00-9:00pm
Conductor: Spencer Hile
Crave a challenge? Love playing exciting music? Perform with EMA’s Encore Wind Symphony this summer.
Perform with us!
Join us this Summer 2024!
Placement is competitive and open to band students entering 10th*-12th grade and recently graduated seniors. Available openings will be filled by returning musicians from last summer (no audition necessary.) Remaining spots will be filled by teacher recommendation. If you would like to be recommended, share this link with your private or school band teacher.
Please see our EWS Jr. Band for entering grades 7th-9th*
*If your student is entering 9th grade and would like to be considered for the senior band, the student can submit a 1 – 3 minute video showcasing their musical and technical abilities. See FAQ’s about how to submit the video.
What is the cost to join EWS?
Summer Tuition is $140. Tuition covers 70% of the total cost to run the program. Donations, grants and ticket sales cover the rest. Comprehensive financial aid is available. Our goal is to make this summer program as accessible for all as possible.
2024 Performance: June 14 @ 7pm
Location: First Congregational Church
461 Pierson Street
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Frequently Asked Questions
Students entering grades 10 – 12 in the fall of 2024 and recently graduated seniors will be placed by invitation and teacher nomination in the Encore Wind Symphony. Students entering grades 7 – 9 in the fall of 2024 will be placed in Encore Wind Symphony, Jr.
*If your student is entering 9th grade and would like to be considered for the senior band, the student can submit a 1 – 3 minute video showcasing their musical and technical abilities by April 15th. See FAQ’s about how to submit the video.
If you would like to be considered for a principal chair position, please submit a 1 – 3 minute video of a piece that best displays your musical and technical abilities by Apr. 26th. See FAQ’s about how to submit the video. Audition results will be announced May 3rd.
Returning students from the 2023 summer are invited to register before March 1st to secure their spot. No Audition is necessary.
Summer Tuition is $140 – Returning Student Registration Link
If you would like to be considered for a principal chair position, please submit a 1 – 3 minute video of a piece that best displays your musical and technical abilities by April 26th. Results will be sent by May 3rd. See FAQ’s “How do I audition for a principal chair position?” below for more details.
Principal Chair Auditions are optional. Video Submission due Friday, April 26, 2024 by 11:59pm
Recording due date/time: Friday, April 26, 2024 by 11:59pm
Audition Results announced: Friday, May 3, 2024
Recording Directions and Submission Details:
- Video auditions do not need to be professional quality.
- Smartphones and similar recording devices are acceptable and encouraged.
- Stand facing the camera and at an appropriate distance from the recording device.
- Face and full instrument must be visible.
- No editing of videos is permitted.
- No acoustic manipulation nor audio filters may be used.
- Videos should be uploaded to YouTube and must have visibility “unlisted” (not public or private) and titled Lastname_Firstname_Instrument. For example: Smith_John_oboe
All students must paste the YouTube URL short link in the Perform with us | Encore Music Academy form by Friday, April 26, 2024 by 11:59pm. Audition Results announced: Friday, May 3, 2024.
Principal Chair Auditions are optional.
After preparing it according to the instructions above, submit it by clicking “Perform With Us” or click here. Share your video link as you submit your form.
Friday, May 3, 2024
6:00-9:00pm on the following dates:
Monday, June 10
Tuesday, June 11
Wednesday, June 12
Thursday, June 13
Friday, June 14 – call time 6pm, concert 7pm
Rehearsals will be held at First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, 461 Pierson St. Crystal Lake, IL 60014.
Yes, need-based financial aid is available to all families and individuals. We believe that music is an integral part of everyone’s life. Read our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement.
Encore Wind Symphony