Youth Auditions

The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program (YOP) 2010-2011 Audition Informaiton

Auditions will take place June 5, June 8 & August 31, 2010. 

  1. Review & prepare the audition requirements for the ensemble you wish to audition for (below)
  2. Download the audition application - complete and return to the Richmond Symphony education department
  3. CURRENT YOP STUDENTS: Advancement auditions will take place in June only.  Current students will not be eligible to audition in August. 

    YOP AUDITION FLIER 

    Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO)
    * NO HARP OR TUBA POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2010-2011 SEASON
    1. Scales (Quarter = 120)
    STRINGS
     - All major scales- 3 octaves (Bass: 2 octaves)
     - Melodic minor scales up to 4 sharps/flats, 3 octabes (Bass: 2 octaves)
    WINDS
     - All major/melodic minor scales up to 4 sharps/flats, 2 octaves
     - Chromatic scale, 2 octaves preferred
    HARP - no harp positions available for 2010-2011 season
     - 2 scales of your choice, 4 octaves hands together
    PERCUSSION
     - Scales on a mallet instrument
     - Ability to play a roll (pp-ff) on snare drum
    2. Sight Reading (required for all instrumentalists)
     - Viola players should be prepared to read in treble clef
     - Cello, bassoon, and trombone players should be preared to read in tenor clef
    3. Solo
     - Applicants must prepare a movement from a concerto or sonata for their instrument that best demonstrates their playing ability.
     - Percussionists must be prepared to play a solo on snare or a mallet instrument
    4. Orchestral Excerpt
     - Applicants will prepare an orchestra excerpt relevant to his/her instrument
     - Excerpts will be provided by YOP and available to download beginning February 2010
     - Trumpets and horns must be prepared to transpose

         Bass
         Bass Trombone
         Bassoon
         Cello
         Clarinet
         Flute
         Horn
         Oboe
         Percussion
         Tenor Trombone
         Trumpet
         Viola
         Violin

    Youth Concert Orchestra (YCO)
    1. Scales (Quarter = 120)
    VIOLIN
     - G,A,B-flat, B & C major scales, 3 octaves
     - g,a,b & c melodic minor scales, 3 octaves
    VIOLA
     - C, D, E-flat, E & F major scales, 3 octaves
     - c, d, e & f melodic minor scales, 3 octaves
    CELLO
     - C, D, E-flat, E & F major scales, 3 octaves
     - c, d, e, & f melodic minor scales, 3 octaves
    BASS
     - E, F, G & A major scales, 2 octaves
     - e, f, g &a melodic minor scales, 2 octaves
    WINDS
     - All major/melodic minor scales up to 4 sharps/flats, 2 octaves
     - Chromatic scale, 2 octaves preferred
    HARP
     - 2 scales of your choice, 3 octaves hands together
    PERCUSSION
     - Scales on a mallet instrument
     - Ability to play a roll (pp-ff) on snare drum
    2. Sight Reading (required for all instrumentalists)
     - Viola players should be prepared to read in treble clef
     - Cello, bassoon and trombone players should be prepared to read in tenor clef
    3. Solo
     - Applicants must prepare a movement from a concerto or sonata for their instrument that best demonstrates their playing ability.
     - Percussionists must be prepared to play a solo on snare or a mallet instrument

    Camerata Strings (CS)
    1. Scales (Quarter = 120)
     - All major scales up to 3 sharps/flats, 2 octaves (Bass: 1 octave) PLUS:
        Violin: G major, 3 octave
        Viola: C major, 3 octaves
        Cello: C major, 3 octaves
        Bass: F major, 2 octaves
    2. Sight Reading (required for all instrumentalists)
    3. Prepared Etude
     - Students should prepare ONE of the following etudes for his/her instrument. 
     - Excerpts are available to download below
         Violin: Wohlfahrt: Foundation Studies for Violin, Book 2
         Numbers: 27, 30 OR 33
         Viola: Wohlfahrt: Foundation Studies for Viola, Book 2
         Numbers: 35, 38 (to letter B) OR 43
         Cello: Lee; 40 melodic studies, Op. 31
         Numbers 1, 3 OR 11
         Bass: Simandl: New Method for Double Bass, Book 1
         Page 38 #8, Page 47-48 "d minor exercise"(make sure to download both pages) OR Page 61 "Exercis in Fifths"

    String Sinfonietta (SS)
    No formal audition required, however successful students will have mastery over the following requirements.
    1. Scales
    All Strings: G, D, & C major, 2 octaves preferred (Bass: 1 octave)
    2. Fundamental Requirements
     - All Strings: first position notes on all 4 strings
     - Violins: some basic 3rd position on the E string
     - Basses: some basic 2 1/2 and 3rd position on the G string (high C/D area)
     - Cellos: some basic 2 1/2 and 3rd position on the A string
    3. Notation Knowledge
     - Eighth, quarter, half & whole notes, dotted rhythms
     - Time Signatures: 4/4 & 3/4 time
     - All strings must be able to play 2-note slurs

School Music Program Requirement
The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program is very proud to support music education at all levels, and our policy has always been that Youth Orchestra musicians must participate in their school's band and/or orchestra program, if class instruction is offered for their instrument.  Teacher signature required during enrollment period.

Tuition Assistance Programs
In an effort to ensure that the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program (YOP) participation is accessible to all students regardless of their ability to pay we are proud to offer a number of tuition assistance programs.  

1.  Financial Aid
Financial Aid will be applied based on a sliding scale; families may be eligible for 25%, 50%, 75% or 90% tuition assistance.  Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and funds are limited.  If you would like to receive a financial aid application please email the Education and Community Engagement Manager.

2. Work Study
Work study opportunities are available for students participating in the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO).  The work study program offers students to volunteer as assistants in the RSO offices in exchange for a tuition waiver for the current YOP season.  Applications are reviewed at the beginning of each season.

3. Parent Representatives
Parent Representatives are a vital ingredient for the success of YOP.  Parent representatives are present at every rehearsal to supervise check-in, set-up, announcements, and dismissal.  A tuition waiver will be granted for one child of the parent representative in YOP for the current year.  Applicatons are reviewed at the beginning of each season.

Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program
Chamber Music Program 2009-10 Season
Auditions Monday, January 18, 2010 11am-3pm at Richmond CenterStage

  • Open to violinists, violists and cellists currently enrolled in YCO and RSYO
  • Students have the option to form their own ensemble
  • Audition fee of $15 (non-refundable)
  • Audition Application is due by Friday, January 8, 2010
  • Download complete informaiton on audition requirements and program here
  • Violin, Viola, and Cello audition excerpts

Megan Osborn
Education & Community Engagement Manager
Richmond Symphony
612 East Grace Street, Suite 401
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 788.4717 x144
Fax: (804) 788.1541
mmiller@richmondsymphony.com

Aimee Halbruner
Director of Education & Community Engagement
Richmond Symphony
612 East Grace Street, Suite 401
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 788.4717 x143
Fax: (804) 788.1541
ahalbruner@richmondsymphony.com