Under artistic direction of Scott Gabriel, the rich sound of the Symphony Orchestra filled the main hall while two ensembles under the direction of Jean Macrae — Dolce Musica for intermediate string players and the String Ensemble for beginners — rehearsed for onlookers in a smaller room upstairs.

Ages in the Symphony Orchestra range from 12 to 22; all members had to audition to get their seat.

“Westmount’s lucky to have this,” said Connie Kalder, a volunteer mother whose son, Aleksi Campangne, plays violin in the Symphony Orchestra. “Even if they don’t end up playing in a professional orchestra, they get to play the same kind of repertoire here.”

Macrae taught the young musicians with a passion and patience that was apparent in the enormous and impressive sound that was emitted from the string players. Smiles filled the room as the conductor asked questions, explained the music and ultimately received what was a huge sound from her diminutive musicians.

“When you have no idea where you are, what do you do?” Macrae asked, referring to some students who lost their place in the music during rehearsal. “You look at me, because I could help you.”

“They’re just amazing,” Kalder said of the WYO’s artistic directors.

The open rehearsal was aimed at accomplishing several things, said Gabriel. It gave the young musicians the opportunity to rehearse and perform in front of people, because “it’s always fun playing in front of people.”

“It’s also something nice to offer to the community,” continued Gabriel. “And to make ourselves more visible, because a lot of people aren’t aware that we do what we do.”

People should definitely start to take notice.

WYO’s String Ensemble plays Victoria Hall at noon on May 9. Dolce Musica can be heard at Redpath Hall at 2:30 p.m. on May 24. The Symphony Orchestra plays Victoria Hall on May 23 and Pollack Hall on May 30, both at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.ojw.ca