1. For students typically ages 12-23 years old, who are concurrently enrolled in either the Discovery or Youth Orchestra. Concurrent enrollment in another qualifying musical group may be permissible. (Please call the Director of Education for details)
   
2. Prior chamber ensemble experience desirable
3. Must be studying with a private teacher

Audition Specifics

Strings

Requirements:

• Proficiency in all positions
• Advanced bowing technique
• Solid, clear tone with continuous vibrato
• Violas:  able to read treble clef
• Cellos:  able to read tenor and treble clefs

Elements of the Audition:

• Solo—musician’s choice, 3-5 minutes
• Major and harmonic minor forms of a three octave scale and arpeggio (Bass: two-octave scale and arpeggio)
  1. Legato bowing
  2. Spiccato bowing (Five strokes to each note)
• Chamber music— (played with YPCO principal players)
  1. Beethoven: String Quartet op. 59, no. 3, finale
  2. Grieg: Holberg Suite
  3. Bartok: Rumanian Folk Dances

Keyboard

Keyboard players auditioning must present three solo pieces.

1. One piece by Bach, Handel, or D. Scarlatti
2. One piece from a Classical or Romantic period composer
3. Musician's Choice (one piece from any period or composer)

Audition Results and Placement

Students will be notified of the audition results as soon as possible following the auditions.  Students successfully completing an audition are offered membership in one or more of the groups.  Upon payment of tuition, materials fees and completion of required forms, the student’s place in the group becomes permanent for the current season. 

If openings occur during the season in any group, auditions for the openings will be held at the discretion of the conductor/Director.  Current member of the orchestras have an equal opportunity to audition for openings as do qualified students from outside the organization.  Members selected to fill vacancies in a group after the normal auditions will be placed to fill specific vacancies in the section.  Membership in one of the orchestras does not automatically insure acceptance into another.

Each member’s placement in the group will be based upon auditions and input from qualified professional musicians.  The Conductor/Director determines the placement in each section to best fulfill the needs of the group and changes in position or rotation of parts may occur at any time during the year.  Members who do not perform to acceptable standards, as set by the Conductor/Director, may be reassigned or asked to discontinue membership.

Principals or section leaders are selected by the Conductor/Director and are responsible for demonstrating leadership in the following areas:

Principals or section leaders are selected by the Conductor/Director and are responsible for demonstrating leadership in the following areas:

• The musical proficiency of and leadership within their section
• Modeling positive behavior
• Reporting concerns to the Conductor/Director or staff
• String principals must see that their section (except Preparatory Orchestra) has the correct bowings in coordination with the concertmaster and Conductor/Director.

To inquire about the Symphony's music education programs, call the Education Associate at (707) 546-7097 ext. 225.

To find out about sponsoring music education and concerts call Connie Wolfe at (707) 546-7097 x214.