"Listen fresh, Listen local"™
Jennifer Sacher Wiley
Music Director & Conductor
WSSO Diversity, Outreach & Inclusion
Committee, Resources, Events, Personal Development
"Enriching the Fabric of our Region"
the WSSO affirms and develops our mission statement
• Assessing inclusivity within our organization
• Programming culturally diverse repertoire
• Connecting with young musicians
• Welcoming diverse audiences
Recent Concert of Continents: Europe, Asia, Africa
May, 2026 performance featured music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Huang Ruo, Jean Sibelius, and Fela Sowande
along with poetry and prose by Nigerian authors, poets, playwrights, and politicians
Fela Sowande's "A Folk Symphony" of 1960 was composed in celebration of Nigeria's independence.
The WSSO was proud to offer a unique rendition in partnership with Sankofa African American Theatre Company.
Woven among this symphony will be poems, folk tales, play excerpts, and inspirational messages by Nigerian authors. This is a unique compilation of symphonic theater by Jennifer Sacher Wiley.
Jamming after Educational Shows, December 2025
"Vacation with the Orchestra", an original, scripted concert-drama was performed for over 1000 local students on December 12, 2025. The WSSO collaborated with the Eagle View Advanced Middle School Orchestra and a Production Team of 12 middle school students from Camp Curtin Academy and Saint Patrick School
Diversity & Outreach Initiatives
Collaboration with Sankofa African American Theatre Company, presenting Fele Sowande's "A Folk Symphony" with original Nigerian readings compiled by Jennifer Sacher Wiley
Side-by-Side Educational concerts with Eagle View Middle School Orchestra, Camp Curtin Academy, and Saint Patrick School
Celebration of Harlem Renaissance at Summer Pops Concert
Side-by-Side Concert with Cedar Cliff High School Orchestra
Attended League of American Orchestras webinar "Taking another Listen: Engaging New Audience Members of Color"
Welcome events for new members and post-concert follow-ups with collaborators
Exploration of religious & spiritual diversity in Masterworks program.
Featured African American leaders in community as orators for summer pops concerts
Partnership with Camp Curtin Academy: Production Team of middle school students for family concerts
Collaboration with Guest Conductor Dr. Eric Hinton
Meet & greet with Rick Benjamin, enrichment session surrounding Scott Joplin's "Treemonisha"
Meet & greet with composers Nancy Ives & Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate to discuss authenticity of voice.
Past Collaborations
Videos
Local Directors discuss issues of race impacting our artistic communities
Educational Concert Collaboration with Eagle View Middle School Orchestra, December, 2025
