Auditions
Plan now to join us for our 15th 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:
11120 Leavells Road, Fredericksburg 22407
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 2011-12 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@gmail.com or call 540-440-1468.
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 2nd and 3rd position on the G string (high C/D area)
- Cello: some basic 2nd 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.
Repertory Wind Symphony
The Repertory Wind Symphony (RWS) is a wind ensemble dedicated to exploring classic wind ensemble and concert band literature.
- Winds & Brass:
- A solo piece, orchestral excerpt or etude of your choosing
- 2 Major scales in 2 octaves, Chromatic Scale - full range of the instrument
- Sightreading TBD by conductor
- Percussion:
- A solo piece, orchestral excerpt or etude of your choosing on snare drum, xylophone, or timpani (if applicable)
- 2 major scales (xylophone only)
- Demonstrate long snare roll with dynamic changes as directed by committee/conductor
- Timpani tuning (if applicable)
- Sightreading TBD by conductor