Louisville Youth Wind Symphony

Honor Bands

About

Under the direction of Dr. Amy Acklin, the Louisville Youth Wind Symphony launched its Inaugural Season in January 2025 as the premier honor wind band in surrounding KY and IN areas, representing over 80 high school students from 23 participating schools. The Inaugural Season welcomed Composer-In-Residence, John Mackey, for a performance of his monumental Wine-Dark Sea: Symphony for Band and featured euphonium soloist Eric Maxey as the winner of the Inaugural Concerto Competition. Highlights of Season Two included Composer-in-Residence Omar Thomas, with a performance of his Of Our New Day Begun and Come Sunday, the LYWS' first commissioned work, Memento No. 4, written by Tyler Taylor, and trumpet soloist Drew Moutachouik as the Concerto Competition winner. Now in Season Three, the LYWS welcomes Composer-in-Residence Viet Cuong for a performance of his first-ever symphony for wind band: Deep Down: Symphony No. 1, and will add a chamber music component to the fall schedule.

With a teaching staff of over 30 music professionals, the LYWS program offers artistry-level musical experiences for advanced high school band students. The season runs from January to May and focuses on Grade 5 and Grade 6 collegiate and professional level repertoire for full band and chamber ensemble. The LYWS is proud to serve in residence at the University of Louisville School of Music as an outreach program of the University of Louisville Bands.

2027 Composer-in-Residence

The LYWS is excited to announce 2027 Composer-in-Residence Viet Cuong, who will join the LYWS for a masterclass and concert of his Deep Down: Symphony No. 1. Called “stirring” by The New York Times, the music of Viet Cuong (b. 1990) draws upon sincerity and wonder to create works that resonate emotionally, embrace the unexpected, and celebrate our shared humanity. Grounded in a belief that craft and communication are inseparable, he shapes every phrase in service of expressive clarity. His work has been performed across six continents by ensembles ranging from the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Eighth Blackbird to the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Dallas Winds. More infomation about his works can be found at: https://vietcuongmusic.com/about/

Statement on diversity in the University of Louisville community

The University of Louisville strives to foster and sustain an environment of inclusiveness that empowers us all to achieve our highest potential without fear of prejudice or bias. We commit ourselves to building an exemplary educational Community that offers and promotes a nurturing and challenging intellectual climate, a respect for the spectrum of human intellectual diversity, and a genuine understanding of the many differences that enrich a vibrant metropolitan research university.