About Rivers Youth Wind Ensembles (RYWE)
Claire Nalven, Director
The Rivers Youth Wind Ensembles program comprises two wind ensembles for students in grades 5-12. Each ensemble performs two concerts a year. Rehearsals take place on Mondays after school throughout the academic year. RYWE Junior rehearses from 5:00-6:15 p.m., and RYWE Senior rehearses from 6:30-8 p.m.
2026-2027 Concert Dates:
Monday, December 14, 2026, 7:30 p.m., Kraft Dining Hall
Monday, April 12, 2027 @ 7:30 p.m., Kraft Dining Hall
RYWE Junior
Nicole O’Toole, conductor
Rehearsals: Mondays, 5:00–6:15 p.m.
The Rivers Youth Wind Ensemble Junior is open to woodwind, brass and percussion students ready to tackle intermediate concert band repertoire. The ensemble is designed to provide musicians the opportunity to perform with like-minded advanced students. Students in this ensemble are comfortable playing several 2-octave scales and a chromatic scale on a large range on their instrument. Repertoire is at the Junior District level.
Watch Other Recent Performances:
RYWE Junior on December 8, 2026
RYWE Senior
Claire Nalven, conductor
Rehearsals: Mondays, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
The Rivers Youth Wind Ensemble Senior is open to all woodwind, brass, and percussion students. The ensemble is designed to provide musicians the opportunity to perform the finest contemporary and traditional repertoire in an advanced wind ensemble setting. Students in this ensemble have developed their technique, possess a high degree of musicianship, and maintain a mature sound. Repertoire is at the Senior District level.
Watch Other Recent Performances:
RYWE Senior on December 8, 2026
In person auditions for the 2026-2027 season have ended. We still have limited openings on the following instruments. Please read the audition requirements and click the link below to audition virtually for RYWE.
Junior Ensemble: Flute, Bass clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Percussion
Senior Ensemble: Alto Sax, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium
Current RYWE students do not need to re-audition unless they want to move from Junior to Senior.
Please reach out to RYWE Manager, Kira Ousey (k.ousey@rivers.org) with questions.
Important RYWE Links:
Students who currently participate in RYWE are also encouraged to register for Summer Band. RYWE musicians do not need to audition for Summer Band.
Contact:
Claire Nalven, RYWE Director
Kira Ousey, RYWE Manager
Nicole O’Toole, RYWE Jr Conductor