A partnership between the School of Creative Arts and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra is providing an opportunity for UWindsor students to enrich their educations and community members to perform once again.

The Windsor Symphony Community Orchestra is important to music students looking to explore a different side of the repertoire, says fourth-year trumpet student Matthew Lepain.

“Orchestral experience is essential to our professional development and WSCO opens that gateway for us,” he says. “Maestro Daniel Wiley makes rehearsals very engaging and delivers a lot of great insight into the music.”

Percussionist Sydney Brouillard-Coyle agrees.

“Playing in the community orchestra is an incredible opportunity to develop my musical skills in an area I am not as confident. It puts me outside of my comfort zone,” Brouillard-Coyle says. “It’s also incredible to see people from across the city of all different ages and experience levels come together to create music.”

Mackenzie Walsh, a trombonist, says it has already proven an incredible learning experience.

“Playing in the WSCO allows me to meet and learn from a different community of musicians,” he says. “As a jazz pop student, the WSCO is an amazing opportunity for me to learn and develop new musical technique while exploring a contrasting genre of music.”

The group holds rehearsal every Tuesday from 7 to 9:15 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre, and is still accepting members. To inquire about an audition, email conductor Daniel Wiley at dwiley@windsorsymphony.com.

—Susan McKee