May 26, 27, 29, 30
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 2025!
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 2-3 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 $150. 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.
2025 Performance: May 31 @ 11am
Location: First Congregational Church
461 Pierson Street
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Frequently Asked Questions
New students will be placed by invitation and teacher nomination.
Encore Wind Symphony Jr. – entering grades 7 – 9 in the fall of 2025
Encore Wind Symphony Sr. – entering grades 10-12 and recently graduated seniors
Submit a 2-3 minute video showcasing your musical and technical abilities via this link: Perform with us | Encore Music Academy
Returning students from EWS Jr., who are entering 9th grade: videos due 2/22/2025.
New students entering 9th grade: videos due 4/14/25.
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
Returning students from the 2024 summer are invited to register by 3/1/2025 to secure their spot. No Audition is necessary. Summer Tuition is $150.
Principal Chair Auditions are optional. Video Submission due 4/28/25.
Audition Results announced: 5/12/25
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
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.
Rehearsals will be held at First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, 461 Pierson St. Crystal Lake, IL 60014.
Rehearsals 6:00-9:00pm on:
Monday, May 26
Tuesday, May 27
Thursday, May 29
Friday, May 30
Performance
Saturday, May 31
Call time 10am
Concert 11am
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
