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 Auditions

Upcoming Auditions

Fall Auditions for the 2010 – 2011 Concert Season will be August 30-31 and September 13-14, 6-8:30pm, at Battlefield Middle School (11120 Leavells Road Fredericksburg, VA 22407)

Plan now to join us for our 14th season! The Rappahannock Youth Symphony has opportunities for young dedicated musicians from the beginning to advanced levels. RYS rehearsals are Monday nights at Battlefield Middle School (Repertory and Symphony: 6:30-8:30pm and Primo: 7-8:30pm.

Every student is required to audition, even those who plan on continuing with RYS for the next season.

There is a $10 non-refundable audition fee for new students, which will be applied to tuition upon a successful audition. Tuition for the 2010-11 Season is $300. To ensure that participation is accessible to all students regardless of ability to pay, the RYS offers several tuition assistance programs.

To schedule your audition please send an email to Megan Bevill.

Audition Requirements

Primo Orchestra (Beginner & Intermediate Strings Only)   

The Primo Orchestra is a beginner level string orchestra open to students who have played for 1-2 years.

Each student should be prepared to play scales, a selection of their choice (either from a book or school music), and basic sight reading. Students should have mastery in the following basic areas:

Scales

  • All strings: G, D, & C major, at least 1 octave, 2 preferred (Bass: 1 octave)

Fundamental Requirements

  • All Strings: first position notes on all 4 strings
  • Violin: Knowledge of E string notes in 1st position
  • Bass: some basic 2 ½ and 3rd position on the G string (high C/D area)
  • Cello: some basic 2 ½ 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

Repertory Orchestra (Advanced Intermediate Strings Only)

The Repertory Orchestra is an intermediate level string ensemble for students who have played for at least 2 years. It is designed to improve technical skills and ensemble playing.

Violin, Viola, Cello & Bass

  • Major scales 3 sharps and 3 flats (including C) – 2 octaves
  • Prepared Piece - comparable to a selection from Suzuki Book 3
  • Sight Reading

Symphony Orchestra (Advanced Full Orchestra)

The Symphony Orchestra is an advanced full orchestra for experienced strings, winds, brass, and percussion.

  • Requires Scales, 2 prepared pieces of contrasting styles (fast, slow) and sight reading
  • Strings
    • Major scales 4 sharps to 4 flats (including C); C, G, E melodic minor scales
    • Violin/viola/cello – 3 octaves; bass – 2 octaves
    • Bowing for all is to be 2 slurred, 2 separate, ascending; 4 slurred, descending; mm=120 per quarter note
  • Woodwinds and Brass – All major scales and chromatic scale: tongued ascending, slurred descending, mm=120 per eighth note
  • Percussion: Bring snare, mallets/sticks, know all rudiments.

All requirements are subject to change.