Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra
Grow with Music

The Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra offers talented young musicians from the tri-state area a tuition-free, formal venue in which to train and perform together under the auspices of the Wheeling Symphony. Students from junior high school through college are provided with a professional musical environment and tutelage by Music Director Ben Podolski and Conductor Matthew Inkster.

On occasion, members of the WSYO have the opportunity to be coached by the professional musicians of the Wheeling Symphony and to meet with WSO guest artists in master classes. They also receive free admission to attend WSO Masterworks and Pops Concerts.

The WSYO performs two public concerts annually, as well as perform for various community and civic functions. The WSYO is tuition-free due to the generous support of the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust and corporate and individual donors. For more information about the WSYO and its audition process, please contact WSYO Manager Bruce Wheeler, by calling 304.232.6191 or 1.800.395.9241.

Benjamin Podolski has been a strings instructor for Ohio County Schools for eighteen years. He is a graduate of the former Buckeye North High School in Brilliant, OH, and was a member of the Wheeling Youth Symphony.

Mr. Podolski is a cum laude graduate of Youngstown State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education, and a Master in Music Performance degree. While a student at YSU, he was employed at Hiram College as a part-time instructor in the music department. He also served as assistant concertmaster with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, and is a member of the Caldwell String Quartet. Mr. Podolski served as Music Director and Co-Conductor of the Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra in 2003-04.

Mr. Podolski was chosen as the winner of the National Federation of High Schools Music Association Music Educator Award at the state level in 2003, and was the regional winner of this award in 2004. He also has been chosen as Teacher of the Year for Ohio County Schools in 1996-97, and was West Virginia Chapter of ASTA Outstanding String Teacher of the Year in 2000.

Mr. Podolski is a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Wheeling, WV. He is most proud of being a volunteer at the Belmont County Animal Shelter and serving as vice president for the Belmont County Animal Rescue League. He is currently a three-dog dad.

                            
Dr. Matthew Inkster, Conductor, has worked with the Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra since 2006.  In 2004 he was appointed Director of Bands at West Liberty University where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and coordinates the brass area.  Inkster is in demand as a guest conductor and clinician.  He has specialized in conducting the music of our time, and he has led ensembles on several compact disc recordings of new music on American and European labels.  His performances have been heard on national and regional NPR and worldwide on the BBC.

Dr. Inkster is Artistic Co-Director of Winds on the Lake, a professional chamber ensemble of some of the finest musicians from the greater Tri-State Lake Region including Cleveland, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Erie.  Reception of this ensemble has been warm and accolades have been numerous. The group is committed to the performance and promotion of seldom-heard compositions for chamber and orchestral winds by familiar composers, as well as works by contemporary composers.  The ensemble plans to extend its season from its current three concerts per year to six or more by touring in an expanded geographic area.

Inkster is also active as a trumpet soloist, recitalist, and clinician and has performed in 45 states and across Europe.  He is Principal Trumpet of the Symphony of the Mountains (Tennessee/Virginia), and has held similar positions with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the Chapman and Redlands Symphony Orchestras (California).  He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, and he has competed in a number of the most prestigious trumpet competitions across the world: the Prague Spring International Music Competition, The International Trumpet Guild Solo Competition, the National Trumpet Competition, and the MTNA National Collegiate Artist Competition.

Dr. Inkster is the WVMEA Research and Grants Chair and has recently served as the Composition Contest Chairman for the International Trumpet Guild.  He has a number of research articles submitted for publication in the Journal of the International Trumpet Guild and in the Journal of Research in Music Education.

He holds the degrees Doctor of Music (The Florida State University), Master of Music (University of Redlands), and Bachelor of Music Education (University of Wyoming).  Dr. Inkster has taught in the public schools of Wyoming, California, and Florida.