Rising orchestral winds & Brass academy
Middle school winds, Brass, & percussion -
Improve skills and Learn to play orchestrally
The DMYS Winds and Brass Academy aims to develop orchestral playing skills in the advancing middle school musician.
Participating musicians can expect to work with DMYS Conductor Kevin Scollin to:
Learn to play orchestrally – Improve breathing, tone quality and section sound
Build familiarity with orchestral repertoire – style, historical context, transposition
Improve proficiency – work toward being ready to audition into DMYS Concert Orchestra
Perform in a full orchestra with DMYS String Orchestra in January and May
Listen and play along with DMYS Concert and/or Symphony Orchestra
Winds & Brass Academy eligibility
Students in grades 6-8 who are in their school band program. Two years of playing recommended.
Students can be recommended by their music teacher via this nomination form OR by auditioning at one of our scheduled audition times throughout the year.
The ideal candidate is a student who:
is interested in developing a love and passion for orchestral music.
is motivated, driven, and capable of working toward the highest musical standards possible.
is responsive to feedback and excited to collaborate with fellow musicians to adapt, learn, and grow in their skills and musicianship.
Students should be comfortable with the following scales at the “Suggested Proficiency” level to participate. We recognize that not all students have learned minor scales and this will not be a barrier to participation.
KEY FALL 2026 Deadlines:
More information coming soon.
10/20/26: Educator nomination deadline
11/7/26: Student enrollment (Select Orchestral Winds/Brass Academy)
11/14/26: First rehearsal
Students: have you been nominated and have an invitation to participate from DMYS?
Enroll & Pay $440 tuition here now!
Welcome to DMYS!
Please fill out this form and check out to complete enrollment.
Note: OPEN enrollment for returning students and May auditions is now closed. LATE enrollment is possible in open sections - fee of $50 applies through 8/15, and increases to $100 after 8/15. Late fees do NOT apply to new students auditioning after 8/15 (and will be waived).
Kevin Scollin, DMYS Guest Academy Director
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Rehearsals*
Saturdays, 9:30 AM–12:00 PM
Tech Rehearsals
January 30 — Time TBD — Mandatory
May 1 — Time TBD — Mandatory
Performances
January 31 — 3:45 PM
May 2 — 3:45 PM
*DMYS allows no more than three absences per cycle.
Please click here to view the 2026–2027 DMYS Calendar for dates, times, and other important information.
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Ready to audition for concert orchestra? Review full requirements in the Audition Packet with Requirements by Orchestra.
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Kevin Scollin received his Master of Music Education degree with a cognate in Wind Conducting from Eastern Michigan University, and his Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music Performance degrees from Michigan State University.
Mr. Scollin joined Farmington Public Schools in August 2017, where he currently teaches grades 6-8 band at Power Middle School and serves as the Middle School Music Instructional Leader. Under his direction, the program at Power has grown steadily and offered numerous performance and travel opportunities for students. In addition to his career as a music teacher, Mr. Scollin is also active as a freelance musician, a published arranger, and a guest clinician. He has performed with the Southeastern Michigan Wind Ensemble, the Five Lakes Silver Band, the Oakland University Brass Band, the Motor City Brass Band, the Capital City Brass Band, and at numerous churches and community theater organizations in the Metro Detroit area.
Kevin Scollin believes the purpose of music education in public schools is to foster creative expression through performance, composition, and critical listening of music in a variety of contexts. Additionally, through collaboration in the music-making process, students have the opportunity to see and hear from different perspectives, engage in imaginative, out-of-the-box thinking, and broaden their perceptions of the world around them. Music education programs should strive to connect students’ musical studies with their everyday lives in a meaningful way, cultivating comprehensive musicianship, and creating an enduring community of lifelong music learners.
