Youth Auditions

The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program is pleased to announce open auditions for the 2008/2009 Concert Season. Auditions will be held at the following locations:

Saturday, May 31, 2008 Ginter Park Presbyterian Church (Downtown) 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Monday, June 2, 2008 James River High School (Chesterfield) 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Contact the RSO Education Department to reserve an audition appointment (804) 788-4717 ext. 131 or ahalbruner@richmondsymphony.com

2008/2009 AUDITION REQUIREMENTS (click here to download)

Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Audition Requirements

  1. Scale Requirements: (Quarter = 120)

    2. Harp
    Scales of your choice, 4 octaves hands together
    Strings
    All major scales – 3 octaves (Bass: 2 octaves)
    Melodic minor scales up to 4 sharps/flats, 3 octaves (Bass: 2 octaves)
    Winds
    All major/melodic minor scales up to 4 sharps/flats, 2 octaves
    Chromatic scale, 2 octaves preferred
    Percussion
    Scales on a mallet instrument
    Ability to play a roll (pp-ff) on snare drum

  2. Sight Reading (required for all instrumentalists)

    3. Viola players should be prepared to read in TREBLE clef
    Cello, bassoon, and trombone players should be prepared to read in TENOR clef

  3. Orchestral Excerpt

    4. Applicants will prepare an orchestral excerpt relevant to his/her instrument (downloaded from website)
    Trumpets and horns must be prepared to transpose

Youth Concert Orchestra Audition Requirements

  1. Scale Requirements: (Quarter = 120)

    2. Strings
    Harp: Scales of your choice, 3 octaves hands together
    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
    Percussion
    Scales on a mallet instrument
    Ability to play a roll (pp-ff) on snare drum

  2. Sight Reading (required for all instrumentalists)

    3. 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 Requirements

    4. Applicants must prepare a 3-minute piece that best demonstrates their playing ability
    Must be equivalent to VBODA or ASTA’s level of 4-5
    Percussionists must be prepared to play a solo on snare or a mallet instrument

Camerata Strings Audition Requirements

  1. Scale Requirements:(Quarter = 120)

    2. All major scales up to 3 sharps/flats, 2 octaves (Bass=1 octave) PLUS:

    Harp: Scale of your choice, 2octaves hands together
    Violin: G major, 3 octaves
    Viola: C major, 3 octaves
    Cello: C Major 3 octaves
    Bass: F Major 2 ocatves

  2. Sight Reading (required for all instrumentalists)
  3. Solo Requirements

    4. Applicants must prepare a 3-minute piece that best demonstrates their playing ability
    Must be equivalent to VBODA or ASTA’s level of 3-4

String Sinfonietta Requirements

There is no formal audition process for this program, however successful students will have mastery over the following requirements:

  1. Scale Requirements:

    2. All Strings: G, D, & C major, 2 octaves preferred (Bass=1 octave)

  2. Fundamental Requirements

    3. All Strings: First position notes on all 4 strings
    Violins: some basic 3rd position on the E string
    Basses: some basic 2½ and 3rd position on the G string (high C/D area)
    Cellos: some basic 2½ and 3rd position on the A string

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

Newsletter

Enjoy our news and event information through the RSYO Newsletter, The Pulse.


The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestras are 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.

The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestras believes that money should never hinder a student from participating in our ensembles; therefore, we are proud to offer tuition scholarships in the form of financial aid. Additional information will be available in the registration packet.

Aimee Halbruner
Director of Education & Community Engagement
Richmond Symphony
300 West Franklin Street, Suite #103E
Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: (804) 788.4717 x130
Fax: (804) 788.1541

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Downloads

07-08 RSYO Handbook
08-09 RSYO Audition
08 RSYO Summer Session
08 March Newsletter Flyer
RSYO Bass Excerpt
RSYO Bassoon Excerpt
RSYO Cello Excerpt
RSYO Clarinet Excerpt
RSYO Flute Excerpt
RSYO Harp Excerpt
RSYO Horn Excerpt
RSYO Oboe Excerpt
RSYO Timpani Excerpt
RSYO Trombone Excerpt
RSYO Trumpet Excerpt
RSYO Tuba Excerpt
RSYO Viola Excerpt
RSYO Violin Excerpt

Auditions

Youth Auditions
Chorus Auditions
Musician Auditions