Dear Musician, In the next few pages you will find: Ensemble descriptions Audition requirements Audition location FAQ Excerpts

Transcription

1 Audition Packet

2 Dear Musician, Welcome to the GYSO Auditions! We re excited to have you be a part of the GYSO family for the upcoming season. Enclosed in this packet you will find everything you need for your upcoming audition. Whether this is your first audition or your last audition with us as a senior in high school, there s no reason to be nervous and we re looking forward to hearing you perform! In the next few pages you will find: Ensemble descriptions Audition requirements Audition location FAQ Excerpts Let us know if you have any questions and good luck! Sincerely, Christopher Thibdeau Associate Conductor Creative Director Georgia Symphony Orchestra Dr. Katherine Holland General Manager Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras

3 Symphony Orchestra GYSO Ensembles The Symphony Orchestra is the most advanced orchestral ensemble in the GYSO program. Directed by Christopher Thibdeau, Symphony performs professional-level works from a variety of classical eras. Recent performances have included works of Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Haydn, Beethoven, and Mahler, as well as newly commissioned works. Symphony also performs with professional soloists from the Atlanta area, recently including Kenn Wagner (violin), Helen Kim (violin), Tom Hooten (trumpet), and Charae Kruger (cello). Symphony members are eligible for the GYSO&C Concerto Competition. Symphony strings are generally playing 3 octave scales in all major and minor keys and solos from the standard concerto and sonata repertoire. They possess a controlled and varied vibrato and can produce a wide variety of bow strokes both on and off the string. Winds are comfortable in all major and minor keys and can play a full-register chromatic scale. Horns and trumpets are able to play (though perhaps not sight-read) all transpositions. Violas, cellos, bassoons, and trombones are familiar with alternate clefs. Most woodwinds are comfortable with at least one auxiliary instrument. Philharmonia Directed by Christopher Thibdeau, Philharmonia performs professional-level and advanced educational works for full orchestra. Recent performances have included works of Tchaikovsky, Vaughan Williams, Bizet, Telemann, and Bernstein. Philharmonia students are eligible for the GYSO&C Concerto Competition. Philharmonia strings are generally playing 2 or 3 octave scales (up to 7th position) and solos from Suzuki book 5 and up. They use vibrato consistently and have facility with some off-the-string bow techniques. Winds are comfortable in all major keys and can play a full-register chromatic scale. Trumpets and horns are comfortable in some of the most common transpositions. Violas, cellos, bassoons, and trombones are developing familiarity in alternate clefs. Some woodwinds can play auxiliary instruments.

4 Camerata Directed by Charles Laux, Camerata is the youngest full orchestra in the GYSO&C program. Camerata repertoire consists of educational works, including original compositions for student orchestra and transcriptions of pieces from the classical canon. Camerata strings are generally playing 2 or 3 octave scales (up to 5th position) and solos from Suzuki books 3 and 4. They are starting to establish vibrato. Camerata winds are generally comfortable in keys from 4 flats to 2 sharps, know the difference between concert and written pitch, and can play a two-octave chromatic scale. Sinfonia Directed by Whitney Tinley, Sinfonia is the youngest orchestra in the GYSO&C program. Sinfonia performs educational works, both original compositions and transcriptions, for string orchestra. Sinfonia students are generally playing 1 or 2 octave scales and solos from Suzuki books 1 and 2. First violins may play in 1st and 3rd positions. Players tend to have some familiarity with multiple hand positions. Percussion Ensemble The Percussion Ensemble provides advanced high school and middle school percussionists with the opportunity to develop and improve ensemble skills on a wide variety of instruments under the guidance of John Lawless. In addition to performing works from the published percussion ensemble repertoire, students also have the opportunity to write works for the ensemble. Jazz Ensemble Directed by Sam Skelton, the GYSO&C Jazz Ensemble performs a wide variety of jazz styles with a standard big band instrumentation. Members also have opportunities to perform in a combo setting.

5 String Audition Requirements Sinfonia: Solo 2-3 minute piece of your choice Scales G major and D major (1 or 2 octaves) Excerpts D only Camerata Solo 2-3 minute piece of your choice Scales Violin G major, D major, C major, A major (1 or 2 octaves) Viola/Cello/Bass G major, D major, C major, F major (1 or 2 octaves) Excerpts C and D Philharmonia Solo 2-3 minute piece of your choice Scales All strings All major scales from 2 flats to 3 sharps (2 or 3 octaves) Excerpts B and C Symphony Solo 2-3 minute piece of your choice Scales All major scales from 4 flats to 4 sharps (2, 3 or 4 octaves) Excerpts A and B NOTE: Neither an accompanist nor memorization is required

6 Wind Audition Requirements Camerata: Solo 2-3 minute piece of your choice Scales All major scales from 3 flats to 1 sharp (1 or 2 octaves), chromatic (1 or 2 octaves) Excerpts C only Philharmonia: Solo 2-3 minute piece of your choice Scales All major scales from 4 flats to 2 sharps (1 or 2 octaves), chromatic (1 or 2 octaves) Excerpts B and C Symphony: Solo 2-3 minute piece of your choice Scales All major scales from 4 flats to 4 sharps (1,2, or 3 octaves), chromatic (full range) Excerpts A and B (If there are two A excerpts for your instrument, prepare both.) NOTE: Neither an accompanist nor memorization is required

7 Jazz Audition Requirements Winds: Solo 2-5 minute solo (in any style, jazz or classical) 2 Scales Any scales (blues scales may be used) Sight Reading Piano/Guitar: Solo 2-5 minute solo (in any style, jazz or classical) 2 Scales Any scales (blues scales may be used) Chord Change Reading Sight Reading Drums: Drummers will be asked to keep time in two contrasting styles Two separate auditions are required for percussion and jazz drums.

8 Percussion Audition Requirements Percussion: Percussionists should prepare solos or etudes on two different instruments. A keyboard instrument and timpani are preferred. Note that two separate auditions are required for percussion and jazz drums.

9 Audition Location Auditions are located at Kennesaw State University in the Wilson Annex, the building next to the Bailey Center. Parking may be found in Parking Lot E outside the Bailey Performance Center. There will be a check in table through the breezeway that connects the back (south side) of the Bailey Center to the Wilson Annex, near the Bailey Center loading dock.

10 Audition FAQ 1. Which ensemble should I apply for? Auditions are held so that we can place you in the ensemble that fits you best. We have different scale and excerpt requirements for each orchestra, but playing an audition for a certain orchestra does not guarantee placement in that orchestra; it merely makes you eligible for it. 2. Do I need to have my audition music memorized? Memorization is not necessary. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible. 3. When does GYSO&C rehearse and when does the program start and stop? GYSO&C rehearses once a week on Sundays (Wednesdays for Jazz). The GYSO&C season adheres to the academic calendar as closely as possible with respect to holidays and vacations, starting in August and ending in May. Our complete calendar and rehearsal schedule for the current year is on our calendar page. 4. Do I need to dress up for the audition? Dressing up is not mandatory. Most people wear dressy-casual, comfortable clothes to the audition.

11 5. When do I apply for financial aid? After you are accepted into one of the orchestras, you can apply at any time prior to the deadline on the financial aid form on our forms page. Financial aid only covers the tuition (or a portion of the tuition); it does not cover the $25 application fee. Students must reapply for financial aid every year. 6. When and how will I find out the results of the audition? You will not receive any audition results over the phone or on the website. s will be sent after all auditions have concluded. Under NO circumstances will results be given over the phone prior to the conclusion of auditions. 7. Do current GYSO&C students have to audition? Yes. All interested students must audition for the program. If you have any further questions or concerns, contact: Dr Katherine Holland GYSO General Manager kholland@georgiasymphony.org

12 EXCERPTS

13 GYSO Audition Excerpts - Violin D. Ludwig van Beethoven, Ode to Joy C. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Eine kleine Nachtmusik B. Carl Maria von Weber, Overture to Der Freischütz A. Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No. 7, mvmt 1

14 GYSO Audition Excerpts - Viola D. Ludwig van Beethoven, Ode to Joy C. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Eine kleine Nachtmusik B. Carl Maria von Weber, Overture to Der Freischütz A. Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No. 7, mvmt 1

15 GYSO Audition Excerpts - Cello D. Ludwig van Beethoven, Ode to Joy C. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Eine kleine Nachtmusik B. Carl Maria von Weber, Overture to Der Freischütz A. Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No. 7, mvmt 1

16 GYSO Audition Excerpts - Bass D. Ludwig van Beethoven, Ode to Joy C. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Eine kleine Nachtmusik B. Edvard Grieg, Tanz in der Halle des Bergkönigs A. Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No. 7, mvmt 1

17 GYSO Audition Excerpts Flute C. Gustav Holst, Jupiter from The Planets B. Edvard Grieg, Morgenstimmung from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 A. Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No. 7, 1 st movement

18 GYSO Audition Excerpts Oboe C. Giuseppe Verdi, Nabucco Overture B. Edvard Grieg, Morgenstimmung from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 A. Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No. 7, 1 st movement

19 GYSO Audition Excerpts Clarinet C. Gustav Holst, Jupiter from The Planets B. Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No. 7, 1 st movement, opening A. Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No. 7, 1 st movement, D-E

20 GYSO Audition Excerpts Bassoon C. Edvard Grieg, Morgenstimmung from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 B. Edvard Grieg, In der Halle des Bergkonigs from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 A. Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No. 7, 1 st movement

21 GYSO Audition Excerpts Horn C. Edvard Grieg, Morgenstimmung from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 B. Gustav Holst, Jupiter from The Planets A. Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No. 7, 1 st movement

22 GYSO Audition Excerpts Trumpet C. Gustav Holst, Jupiter from The Planets B. Franz von Suppé, Leichte Kavallerie Overture A. Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No. 7, 1 st movement

23 GYSO Audition Excerpts Trombone C. Giuseppe Verdi, Nabucco Overture B. Franz von Suppé, Leichte Kavallerie Overture A. Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No. 7, 1 st movement

24 GYSO Audition Excerpts Tuba C. Giuseppe Verdi, Nabucco Overture B. Edvard Grieg, In der Halle des Bergkonigs from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 A. Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 4, 4 th movement