Audition - Strings
SELECTING AND PREPARING FOR YOUR AUDITION.
1. Excerpts
Select and prepare for the most advanced orchestra whose excerpts you can play well. Below is a description of each orchestra and excerpt packets for your instrument.
Play only the first two excerpts if you aren’t interested in being considered for a principal chair.
Play the third excerpt if you would like to be considered for a principal position.
2. Scale
Serenade Orchestra – 1 or 2 octave scale of your choice
Concert Orchestra – 1 or 2 octave scale of your choice
Repertory Orchestra – 2 or 3 octave scale of your choice
Symphony Orchestra – 3 octave scale of your choice. Double bass may play 2 octave scale if desired.
Scales should be performed in the following rhythm, or in an equivalent style and tempo:
3. Basic sight reading
At the audition, students are given a musical passage to sight read. You will get a short, specified amount of time to look at it. Check the key signature, time signature, markings, and scan the passage for any trouble spots before performing it.
So which orchestra is right for me?
Students should select the orchestra that seems like the best fit. In most cases, your school or private teacher can help you choose. You should audition for the most advanced orchestra whose excerpts you can play well. In some cases, we will place a student in a different ensemble than they auditioned.
Serenade Orchestra
Serenade Orchestra is LYO’s youngest full-string orchestra. Most students in Serenade have only been playing their instrument for 1-2 years. In some cases, students that have been playing for less than a year but are advancing quickly may succeed in Serenade. Serenade Orchestra rehearses on Sunday afternoons at our St. Matthews rehearsal venue.
Download the Serenade Orchestra placement excerpts below.
All students must play excerpts #1 and #2. If you want to be considered for a principal chair position, you must also play #3.
Don’t forget, Serenade students must also play a 1 or 2 octave scale of the student’s choice AND play a short sight reading exercise.
Concert Orchestra
Concert Orchestra is LYO’s intermediate full-string orchestra. Most students in Concert have been playing their instrument for a few years and are ready for a greater challenge. Most students in Concert Orchestra are middle and high school students. Concert Orchestra rehearses on Sunday afternoons at our St. Matthews rehearsal venue.
Download the Concert Orchestra placement excerpts below.
All students must play excerpts #3 and #4. If you want to be considered for a principal chair position, you must also play #5.
Don’t forget, Concert students must also play a 1 or 2 octave scale of the student’s choice AND play a short sight reading exercise.
Repertory Orchestra
Repertory Orchestra is LYO’s intermediate symphonic orchestra. This a string student’s first opportunity to play alongside with woodwind, brass and percussion students. Most students in Repertory have been playing for several years and are typically young high school students. Advanced middle school students often are placed in Repertory as well. Repertory Orchestra rehearses on Sunday afternoons at Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS).
Download the Repertory Orchestra audition excerpts below.
ll students must play excerpts #5 and #6. If you want to be considered for a principal chair position, you must also play #7.
Don’t forget, Repertory students must also play a 2 or 3 octave scale of the student’s choice AND play a short sight reading exercise.
Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Orchestra is LYO’s flagship symphonic orchestra. LYO’s most advanced students are placed in Symphony. Students are typically high school students. Symphony Orchestra rehearses on Sunday afternoons at Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS).
Download the Symphony Orchestra audition excerpts below.
All students must play excerpts #7 and #8. If you want to be considered for a principal chair position, you must also play #9.
Don’t forget, Symphony students must also play a 3 octave scale of the student’s choice AND play a short sight reading exercise. Bass students may only play a 2 octave scale if they prefer.
