Fox Valley Symphony Mission
The Fox Valley Symphony’s mission is to enrich and nurture the human spirit through symphonic music and educational opportunities that enhance the cultural development of our community.
The Fox Valley Symphony believes that youth orchestras greatly enhance the culture and society of our community. The FVS proudly sponsors two auditioned youth orchestras for area middle and high school musicians. The Youth Orchestras provide students with an opportunity to further their musical talents while meeting new friends and performing in public venues. Our Youth Orchestras have attained a reputation as the premier orchestras for young musicians in northeast Wisconsin.
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The YOUTH SYMPHONY, our full orchestra, was founded in 1974 and serves, on average, 100 students each year from grades 9-12. This group of young musicians performs two concerts per season – one in fall and one in spring at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. They often perform on tours and exchanges and have participated in clinics. On tour, they perform in local schools, businesses and assisted living facilities. The tour gives the Youth Symphony an opportunity to give back to the Fox Valley and provides an exceptional educational experience for all students.
Gary Wolfman, Youth Symphony Conductor, is Directorof Orchestras at Appleton North and West High Schools
and recently was honored as “High School Educator of the Year” for the Appleton Area School District. He is a past president of the North Central Division of the National Association for Music Education (MENC), and served on its National Executive Board and Finance committee. Mr. Wolfman was president of the Wisconsin Music Educators Association and is a founding member of the Wisconsin State Coalition for the Advancement of Music Education. He chaired the Wisconsin High School State Honors Music Project and the Wisconsin Comprehensive Musicianship Through Performance Project. Locally, he was the first recipient of the Cutting Edge Award, given for outstanding creativity and excellence in teaching, and was recognized as Teacher of the Year for Appleton East High School. Mr. Wolfman attended UW-Eau Claire for his undergraduate degree and UW-Madison for his graduate degree, where he received the Richard C. Church Award as the outstanding student conductor. Presently, Mr. Wolfman is a columnist for the national publication “Teaching Music”.
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The PHILHARMONIA STRINGS, our string orchestra, was founded in 1979 and serves, on average, 60 students from grades 7-10. This group performs with the Youth Symphony at the fall and spring concerts. They also participate in our weekend day camp, sectionals and masterclasses. Touring, in alternate years, was added to this group in 2007.
Greg Austin, Philharmonia Strings Conductor, currently teaches orchestra at Roosevelt Middle School and Edison, Columbus, and Franklin Elementary Schools in the Appleton Area School District. Previous to working in Appleton, he taught orchestra classes at all levels in the
Menasha Joint School District. Mr. Austin attended UW-Stevens Point and UW-Madison, where he received a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education. While at UW-Madison he received the Richard C. Church award for outstanding student in music education, as well as working for the Wisconsin Youth Symphonies as music librarian and chamber music coach. Mr. Austin is a member of the first violin section with the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra and serves as Assistant Principal Second Violin for the Green Bay Symphony. He has also performed as a member of the Madison Symphony and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, where he served as Principal Second Violin for many summer seasons. For three summers, Mr. Austin also directed the summer orchestra at the Lakeland College Music Camp.
