Initially part of the university's Extension Music Department, the organization only included one youth orchestra at the time.

Rabin would conduct the youth orchestra for 6 years, after which David Nelson continued his work as director.

[19] The WYSO orchestras originally rehearsed in a large space in the University of Wisconsin--Madison's humanities building.

Between 2020 and 2024, WYSO groups rehearsed in a variety of locations, including school cafeterias, classrooms, and under an outdoor tent.

In late 2021, a plan for the building, featuring a curvy design inspired by the shape of a sideways-laying cello, was released.