MFSO 2025-26 Side-By-Side
Honors Program and Application
The Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra invites you to participate in our 2025-26 Honors Side-by-Side program. The Side-by-Side Program is an Educational Outreach Initiative that focuses on bringing together young student instrumentalists (grades 9 through 12) and MFSO musicians with the goal of furthering student musicianship, symphonic orchestra practice and technical growth.
The MFSO seeks to provide high-quality and exciting opportunities to high school music students throughout the region. The Side-by-Side program will join the orchestra to perform Schubert's "Unfinished" Symphony in D at the MFSO's April 11, 2026 concert.
Repertoire and Schedule
Accepted students will rehearse weekly and be mentored by MFSO musicians to prepare Schubert's Unfinished Symphony in D , to be played with the orchestra. Please find links to marked parts below.
Applications (including teacher recommendation) must be complete by January 10, 2026. Students will be notified of application decisions by January 24, 2026.
Schedule:
• Monday, February 23, 2026 – 7-9:15 pm.
• Monday, March 2, 2026 – 7-9:15 pm. (Optional for students)
• Monday, March 9, 2026 – 7-9:15 pm. (Optional for students)
• Monday, March 16, 2026– 7-9:15 pm. Students join MFSO
• Monday, March 23, 2026 – 7-9:15 pm. Students join MFSO
• Monday, April 6, 2026 – 7-9:15 pm. Students join MFSO
• Saturday, April 11, 2026 – 9-11:30 am. – Dress rehearsal on stage at Hamilton Performing Arts Center in Sussex. Students join MFSO (mandatory)
• Saturday, April 11, 2026: “Unfinished” Concert at 7:30pm! Mandatory.
Parts to review/download:
Click to view a reference video of Schubert's Unfinished.
String parts are bowed but are subject to change.
Requirements
Performance Qualifications:
- Please refer first to the repertoire to the specified instrument as an aptitude guide.
- Submission of a supplemental video (max. 5 min) that best represents the applicant’s musical/technical abilities is optional!
Application and Participation Requirements:
- Students currently enrolled in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply.
- All student applicants must have a music teacher recommendation (separate below). Applications without a teacher recommendation will not be considered. Music teachers please review the required repertoire before completing the student application.
- Applications for the following instruments are eligible to apply; a limited number of each instrument will be accepted:
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Bass
- Flute
- Oboe
- Clarinet
- Horn
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Percussion
- All participants will be required to bring their own instruments and mutes; the MFSO cannot provide instruments, except to percussionists.
- String players should have completed Suzuki Book Six or equivalent.
- Applicants must commit to the rehearsal and performance schedule listed above.
- Any questions, please contact the MFSO Education and Community Outreach team by emailing mfso.education@gmail.com.
- Applications must be submitted by January 10, 2026. Students will be notified of application decisions by January 24, 2026