Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra - Audition Requirements

Audition Requirements

All students must participate in their school band or orchestra program.

String Sinfonietta: conducted by (Christie Jo-Adams); No formal audition, but required to know: C, D, and G major scales, 2 octave preferred (1 octave for bass) All Strings: 1st position notes on all strings Violins: basic 3rd position on the E string Cellos: basic 2 ½ and 3rd position on the A string Basses: basic 2 ½ and 3rd position on the G string (high C/D area)

Camerata Strings: conducted by (Rebeca Jilcott); formal audition process Scales: all major scales up to 3 sharps and 3 flats, 2 octaves (Bass 1 octave) PLUS Harp: Scale of your choice, 2 octaves hands together Violin: G major, 3 octaves Viola: C major, 3 octaves Cello: C major 3 octaves Bass: F major 2 octaves

Sightreading Solo Piece: must be about 3 minutes and best demonstrate the abilities of the student Equivalent to VBODA or ASTA level 3-4

Youth Concert Orchestra: conducted by (Amy Birdsong) formal audition process 1. Scale Requirements: (Quarter = 120) Strings Harp: Scales of your choice, 3 octaves hands together Violin: G, A, B-flat, B & C major scales, 3 octaves g, a, b, & c melodic minor scales, 3 octaves Viola: C, D, E-flat, E & F major scales, 3 octaves c, d, e, & f melodic minor scales, 3 octaves Cello: C, D, E-flat, E & F major scales, 3 octaves c, d, e, & f melodic minor scales, 3 octaves Bass: E, F, G & A major scales, 2 octaves e, f, g, & a melodic minor scales, 2 octaves Winds All major/melodic minor scales up to 4 sharps/flats, 2 octaves Chromatic scale, 2 octaves preferred Percussion Scales on a mallet instrument Ability to play a roll (pp-ff) on snare drum 2. Sight Reading (required for all instrumentalists) Viola players should be prepared to read in TREBLE clef Cello, bassoon, and trombone players should be prepared to read in TENOR clef 3. Solo Requirements Applicants must prepare a 3-minute piece that best demonstrates their playing ability Must be equivalent to VBODA or ASTA’s level of 4-5 Percussionists must be prepared to play a solo on snare or a mallet instrument

Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra: conducted by (Erin Freeman) formal audition Harp Scales of your choice, 4 octaves hands together Strings All major scales – 3 octaves (Bass: 2 octaves) Melodic minor scales up to 4 sharps/flats, 3 octaves (Bass: 2 octaves) Winds All major/melodic minor scales up to 4 sharps/flats, 2 octaves Chromatic scale, 2 octaves preferred Percussion Scales on a mallet instrument Ability to play a roll (pp-ff) on snare drum • Sight Reading (required for all instrumentalists) Viola players should be prepared to read in TREBLE clef Cello, bassoon, and trombone players should be prepared to read in TENOR clef • Orchestral Excerpt Applicants will prepare an orchestral excerpt relevant to his/her instrument (downloaded from website) Trumpets and horns must be prepared to transpose Auditions are held in the spring and fall of each school year.