After decades of concerts led by director Yugo Ikach, the Washington Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is thriving to this day. With a concert having just taken place on March 7 and 8, 2026, the symphony continues to sell out almost every concert they have.
The board of executives, led by Ikach, has meetings a few times a month and any other times as needed. Everyone on the board is eager to help and continue the tradition of successful shows offered to the Washington community. The concerts are well-thought-out regarding themes, promotions, advertisements and performers.
Assistant Treasurer Edward Poach stated, “The best part about WSO is that we do all kinds of concerts to try and appeal to young and to old audiences. Music lovers come from every era, and I am confident that the chosen selections from each concert truly emphasize the inclusion of the music used.”
Ikach’s youngest daughter, THS Junior Isabelle Ikach, exclaimed, “I have been involved in WSO since I was nine or ten years old. My siblings and I have been very lucky to have had my dad to give us so many opportunities to perform with the orchestra with all the different concerts that they do.”
At the most recent concert, “WSO’s Take on Broadway,” the orchestra featured songs from “Chicago,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Wicked” and more. At the last concert, a Junior from McGuffey, Moshe Dale auditioned to sing at the concert and was chosen. He sang “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” from “Les Miserables” with the orchestra, leaving unsuspecting audience members in tears due to the emotion and talent put into the song. Yugo Ikach has been known to incorporate upcoming talent in his shows. Many of his concerts help young musicians show their talents to their hometown.
“Every year, we invite high school aged players that have the confidence of their high school music directors to join with our regular symphony members. It allows them to interact with older musicians serving as mentors and often challenges them more than their high school repertoire may. In the case of Moshe, he was one of 14 applicants that had to audition in person for the WSO Vocalist competition. As a winner, he was able to experience having an entire symphony orchestra backing him up and won a prize of $1,000,” said Ikach.
There are many ways the WSO advertises their concerts. Whether it be through word of mouth, social media, WJPA radio or even local businesses, the excitement shown on their part to bring in more and more crowds in to enjoy the music proves that the time they put into these concerts is time well spent.
WSO features a variety of instruments, including violins, clarinets, drums, cellos and more. Played by people the community knows and loves, the sound of all of these instruments coming together is what makes the symphony what it is.
“I am very thankful for all the opportunities my dad has given me when recruiting me to perform with WSO. It is such a pleasure always to share music with so many other great and talented musicians. The WSO is such a wonderful and cherished part of Washington county and I believe everybody should experience at least one of their concerts,” stated Isabelle Ikach.
