Kent State Youth Winds

An ensemble for high school woodwind, brass and percussion players held at the Glauser School of Music

Questions? Email Us Intent to Audition Form

The Kent State Youth Winds (KSYW) provides local high school and exceptional middle school/junior high school wind and percussion players the opportunity to learn music performance techniques from professional artist-teachers from KSU, develop individual playing skills and perform in a Wind Ensemble with other interested and highly skilled young musicians. Through this experience, students will have the opportunity to enrich and advance their musicianship in a supportive yet challenging environment. In addition to developing artistic skills, students will also have the opportunity to develop non-musical skills including critical thinking, collaboration, communication and time management.

About KSYW

How to Join KSYW

Instructors & Leadership

Contact KSYW

KSYW Digital Programs

Who can join?

The Kent State Youth Winds (KSYW) provides an opportunity for talented young musicians to develop their individual talents and musicianship, learn from professional artists/teachers associated with Kent State University, and perform in an auditioned wind ensemble with other skilled players.

Membership is open to 8-12th grade students (Academic Year 2024-2025).

Students must participate in their school music programs to be eligible to audition. This requirement is waived for homeschooled students.

Rehearsals and Concerts

The KSYW will take place during the academic year (September - May).
Rehearsals will be held on the Kent State University, Kent Campus on Mondays from 7 to 9:15 p.m.
The ensemble will present three concerts per year in Kent State University's Cartwright Hall in November, March and May.

Instruments Accepted

Instruments in the Youth Winds include:

Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Saxophones (Alto, Tenor, and Baritone)
Trumpet
Horn
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Percussion

kent state youth wind student playing the flute

Auditions

Entrance into the KSYW is by audition only with limited space.

Auditions for the 25-26 Season:

To begin, please fill out the Intent to Audition form.
In-person auditions will take place on Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 2-6 p.m. and Monday, May 12, 2025 from 4-8 p.m. in Cartwright Hall.

Audition Requirements for Winds, Brass and Percussion

For the audition please prepare your

(1) major scales up to 3 flats and 3 sharps and the chromatic scale demonstrating your range -AND-
(2) a prepared excerpt from a solo or etude of your choice that is 45 seconds to 90 seconds long (you will be stopped at 90 seconds), demonstrating your tone and technique. -AND-
(3) play the excerpt in your instrument folder found by clicking here.

Acceptance and Registration

Acceptance emails will be sent by June 17.
After you're accepted, you will fill out the registration form and parent forms.

Tuition and Scholarships

Tuition is $275 for the year.
A limited number of need-based scholarships may be available.

25-26 Season Concert Dates

Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 14, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 10, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.

Instructors

Dr. Wendy K. Matthews - Director, Kent State Youth Winds
Wendy K. Matthews is the associate dean for undergraduate programs and assessment in the College of Arts and professor of music education at Kent State University. She holds degrees from George Mason University, University of Maryland-College Park and the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Conservatory of Music. Dr. Matthews is an active researcher focusing on group music-making in ensembles across the lifespan, teacher preparation and the oral histories of pioneer women brass players. She is also co-author of the textbook "Basic Conducting Techniques (8th edition)" published in January of 2023. Dr. Matthews is in demand worldwide as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator.

Dr. Joni Stoll - Faculty and Ensemble Administrator, Kent State Youth Winds
Dr. Joni Stoll is beginning her 36th year as a music educator. She held the position of director of bands at Holgate High School for 13 years where she was responsible for the instrumental program 5-12. She also taught at Southeast High School for 20 years directing the high school marching band, symphonic band and jazz band while assisting the band program in grades 5-8. Dr. Stoll received her music education (instrumental) and piano performance undergraduate degrees at the University of Akron, piano performance/pedagogy degree at Northwestern University and Doctor of Philosophy (music education)degree at Kent State University. She has been an adjunct professor at Kent State University since 2011 as part of the music education faculty. She is also active as an adjudicator for the Ohio Music Education Association.

Joseph Hamp - Faculty and Ensemble Administrator, Kent State Youth Winds
Joseph Hamp received his Bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Maryland in 2009, where his focus was classical saxophone. At UMD, he also sang in the chamber choir. Joseph began teaching general music, orchestra and band in Montgomery Public County Schools in 2009. He also worked as an Assistant Conductor for the Northern Virginia Community College band ensembles. In 2011, he moved to Dayton, OH with his family and taught at the Montessori School of Dayton where he taught band and choir, and also founded the rock band program. In 2018, the Hamp family moved to Pittsburgh, where Joseph taught 6th-grade band and general music at Slippery Rock Middle School. He also served as the Assistant Band Director for the Slippery Rock High School "Rocket" Marching Band. In 2022 the Hamp family again moved, this time to Akron. Joseph is currently teaching choir and beginning band in the Hudson City Schools. He is very excited to assist with the Kent State Youth Winds and is looking forward to teaching these talented students.

Will Kish- Faculty and Ensemble Administrator, Kent State Youth Winds

Will Kish received his undergraduate degree in music education from The Ohio State University in 1999. He served as the Graduate Assistant in Bands while earning his master’s degree in music education from Kent State University in 2008. Will is currently back at Kent in the music education Ph.D. program. Outside of his time at Kent State, he has spent his entire professional career as a band director in the Norwalk City Schools in Norwalk, Ohio. He is the assistant conductor of the North Coast Concert Band in north-central Ohio. Will is a member of the Ohio Music Education Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the International Society for Music Education. Will is incredibly excited to teach and learn from the many very talented and hard-working members of the Kent State Youth Winds!

Board of Directors

Dr. Joanna Hersey - Professor, Tuba, University of North Carolina-Pembroke, North Carolina
Ms. Sarah Kois - Project Coordinator, Kent State Youth Winds, Kent, Ohio
Mr. Anthony Maiello - Professor of Music, George Mason University, Virginia
Dr. Wendy K. Matthews - Associate Dean of the College of the Arts, Kent, Ohio
Dr. Kent McWilliams - Professor of Piano, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
Dr. John Roebke - Director of Bands, Roosevelt High School, Kent, Ohio