Youth Wind Ensemble

The Knoxville Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble (KSYWE) provides young musicians in grades 7 through 12 with instrumental training in a challenging and professional environment. The vision of the organization is to create connections through the program for students and their families that inspire a life-long love of music and instill a sense of responsibility for the quality of the arts in their communities. The KSYWE completed its inaugural season in the spring of 2025.

QUESTIONS/MORE INFORMATION:
Maddie Helbling, KSO Director of Education and Community Partnerships
Email Maddie Helbling | 865-521-2305

 

Thank you to our sponsor!

Alan and Sally Sefton

  • Calendar & Schedule

    Hardin Valley Middle School – Band/Orchestra Rooms
    Mondays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

    2280 Steele Road
    Knoxville, TN 37932


    2025-2026 Wind Ensemble Schedule (updated 1/9/26)

     

  • Eligibility

    The Knoxville Symphony Youth Wind Ensembles are open to students grades 7 through 12 on the following instruments: flute/piccolo, oboe/English horn, clarinet, alto/tenor/baritone saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion, string bass, and piano. 

    At least two years of ensemble participation or private lessons is preferred.

  • Faculty

    Ashby Goldstein

    Ashby Goldstein, assistant professor, serves as the Director of Music Education and Bands at Carson-Newman University, where he teaches courses in music education. His responsibilities also include supervising student teachers and conducting the Carson-Newman concert and marching bands. Before joining the faculty at Carson-Newman, Mr. Goldstein taught music education courses and conducted concert ensembles as a Graduate Teaching Associate at The Ohio State University.

    Mr. Goldstein has experience as a middle school, high school, and collegiate music educator. Under his direction, the Gifford Middle School bands performed at the Florida Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference, the University of Georgia’s Middle School Band Festival, the Music for All National Middle School Music Festival, and the National Band Association/College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference. During his tenure as the Director of Bands at Sebastian River High School, the Wind Symphony performed at the Western International Band Clinic and the marching band was awarded eight grand championships at various competitions in Florida and Georgia.

    Mr. Goldstein has been awarded two Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association and was recognized as the 2014 Gifford Middle School Teacher of the Year, the 2020 Sebastian River High School Teacher of the Year. More recently, he received The Virginia A. Bridges Music Education Award and was acknowledged as an ‘Outstanding Graduate Associate in Music Education’ at Ohio State University. Mr. Goldstein has presented at the Florida, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and Indiana music education association conferences and is published in Contributions to Music Education. He is a highly sought-after clinician as a leader of professional development workshops for music educators in various school districts across the Eastern United States and has conducted honor bands in Florida, Georgia, and Montana. He is an active Florida Bandmasters Association adjudicator for both concert and marching band Music Performance Assessments.

    Mr. Goldstein is currently ABD at The Ohio State University, where he is currently completing a Ph.D. in music education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education from Florida State University and a master’s degree in instrumental conducting from Southern Oregon University.

  • Auditions/Application

    Applications for the 2025-26 Knoxville Symphony Youth Wind Ensembles Season are now closed. Contact us to schedule a late audition.

    Audition Fee: $25
    Membership Fee: $300
    Retreat Fee: $30

    Audition Information:
    All students interested in participating in the Knoxville Symphony Youth Wind Ensembles will complete an in-person audition in the fall. Audition results will determine student placement in either Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Winds.

    Location: Hardin Valley Middle School
    Day/Time:
    August 31, 2025, 2:00-9:00 PM

    Auditions will consist of prepared repertoire, scales, and sightreading. Students should select and prepare pieces that show off their best playing. Students wishing to be considered for advanced placement should prepare the Advanced Audition Guidelines.

    STANDARD AUDITION GUIDELINES 

    ADVANCED AUDITION GUIDELINES 

    CLICK HERE for some helpful tips for when preparing for your audition.