Audition -Winds & Brass
PREPARING FOR YOUR AUDITION
Select and prepare for the most advanced orchestra or ensemble whose excerpts you can play well. In most cases, a student’s school and/or private teacher can make a good recommendation. If you have questions or need additional support, never hesitate to reach out to us at info@lyo.org
Below is a description of each ensemble with detailed instructions for your audition.
Serenade Winds
Serenade Winds is LYO’s youngest full woodwind and brass ensemble. Serenade Winds was developed to help prepare students for the eventual playing demands of LYO’s advanced orchestras and ensembles. Serenade Winds students have only been playing a few years but are committed to advancing in their musical journey.
Serenade Winds rehearses on Sunday afternoons from 1:45-3:15 p.m. at St. Matthews Pavilion. Students are expected to arrive by 1:30 p.m.
1. Scales. Candidates should prepare the scales as written on the below excerpt files. Candidates should strive to perform the required scales with a healthy tone, steady rhythm, and good intonation.
2. Excerpts. Download and prepare the Serenade Winds placement excerpts below.
Concert Winds
Concert Winds is LYO’s intermediate full woodwind and brass ensemble. Most students in Concert Winds have been playing for several years and are typically middle school and young high school students. Concert Winds creates more playing opportunities for woodwind and brass students who are advancing towards Philharmonic Orchestra.
Concert Winds rehearses on Sunday afternoons from 1:45-3:30 p.m. at Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS). Students are expected to arrive by 1:30 p.m. Concert Winds is conducted by Mr. Carl Kling.
1. Scales.Candidates should prepare the scales as written on the below excerpt files. Candidates should strive to perform the required scales with a healthy tone, steady rhythm, and good intonation.
2. Excerpts. Download and prepare the Concert Winds placement excerpts below.
Philharmonic Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Philharmonic Orchestra is LYO’s intermediate symphonic orchestra (formerly called Repertory Orchestra). This a woodwind and brass student’s first opportunity to play alongside string instrument musicians. Woodwind and Brass Students are automatically dual-enrolled in Symphonic Wind Ensemble. This educational model creates woodwind, brass and string sectional coachings each and every rehearsal. Most students in Philharmonic Orchestra have been playing for several years and are typically young high school students. Advanced middle school students often are placed here as well.
Philharmonic Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble rehearses on Sunday afternoons from 2:00-5:00 PM at Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS). Students are expected to arrive by 1:45 p.m. Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Ms. Michele Barbosa. Symphonic Wind Ensemble is conducted by Mr. Carl Kling.
1. Scales. Candidate should perform both a 2-3 Octave Major and 2-3 Octave Minor scale of the students’s choice. Click here to view the suggested scale format. Candidates should strive to perform the required scales with a healthy tone, steady rhythm, and good intonation.
2. Excerpts. Download the placement excerpts below. All students must play excerpts #5 and #6. These excerpts are designed to challenge and stretch each candidate, and to allow us to place candidates in the ensemble where they will have the best opportunity to thrive. As with all things in life, do the best you can! The personal selection below gives each candidate an opportunity to showcase themselves on a selection that they have mastered with their teacher. In most cases, this should be something that you already know and play well.
3. Personal Selection. Candidates should perform a 1-2 minute solo or orchestra excerpt that demonstrates current level of ability. This requirement gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their unique musicality.
Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Orchestra is LYO’s flagship symphonic orchestra. LYO’s most advanced students are placed in Symphony. Students are typically advanced high school students.
Symphony Orchestra rehearses on Sunday afternoons from 2:00-5:00 PM at Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS). Students are expected to arrive by 1:45 p.m. Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Maestro Gabriel Lefkowitz.
1. Scales. Candidate should perform both a 3 Octave Major and 3 Octave Minor scale of the students’s choice. 2 Octave scales are acceptable for double bass candidates. Click here to view the suggested scale format. Candidates should strive to perform the required scales with a healthy tone, steady rhythm, and good intonation.
2. Excerpts. Download the placement excerpts below. All students must play both excerpts. These excerpts are designed to challenge and stretch each candidate, and to allow us to place candidates in the ensemble where they will have the best opportunity to thrive. As with all things in life, do the best you can! The personal selection below gives each candidate an opportunity to showcase themselves on a selection that they have mastered with their teacher. In most cases, this should be something that you already know and play well.
3. Personal Selection. Candidates should perform a 1-2 minute solo or orchestra excerpt that demonstrates current level of ability. This requirement gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their unique musicality.
