Youth Auditions

The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program is pleased to announce open auditions for the 2008/2009 Concert Season.

MID-YEAR AUDITIONS

YOP will hold 2 mid-year auditions for new students only. Auditions will only be held during the weeks listed below. For more information or to setup an audition, please contact Megan Miller, Education and Community Engagement Manager at 804-788-4717 x 144.

November 10-21 (all ensembles)
February 23- March 5 (all ensembles)

The Youth Orchestra Program  is currently auditioning:

Violin
Viola
Cello
Bass
Bassoon
Horn
Trombone
Percussion

Contact the Education & Community Engagement Manager to reserve an audition appointment (804) 788-4717 ext. 144 or mmiller@richmondsymphony.com

2008/2009 AUDITION REQUIREMENTS (click here to download)

Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Audition Requirements

  1. Scale Requirements: (Quarter = 120)

    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

  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. Orchestral Excerpt

    Applicants will prepare an orchestral excerpt relevant to his/her instrument (downloaded from website)
    Trumpets and horns must be prepared to transpose

Youth Concert Orchestra Audition Requirements

  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

Camerata Strings Audition Requirements

  1. Scale Requirements:(Quarter = 120)

    All major scales up to 3 sharps/flats, 2 octaves (Bass=1 octave) PLUS:

    Harp: Scale of your choice, 2octaves hands together
    Violin: G major, 3 octaves
    Viola: C major, 3 octaves
    Cello: C Major 3 octaves
    Bass: F Major 2 ocatves

  2. Sight Reading (required for all instrumentalists)
  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 3-4

String Sinfonietta Requirements

There is no formal audition process for this program, however successful students will have mastery over the following requirements:

  1. Scale Requirements:

    All Strings: G, D, & C major, 2 octaves preferred (Bass=1 octave)

  2. Fundamental Requirements

    All Strings: First position notes on all 4 strings
    Violins: some basic 3rd position on the E string
    Basses: some basic 2½ and 3rd position on the G string (high C/D area)
    Cellos: some basic 2½ and 3rd position on the A string

  3. 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

School Music Program Requirement
The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program is very proud to support music education at all levels, and our policy has always been that Youth Orchestra musicians must participate in their school's band and/or orchestra program, if class instruction is offered for their instrument.  Teacher signature required during enrollment period.

Tuition Assistance Programs
In an effort to ensure that the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program (YOP) participation is accessible to all students regardless of their ability to pay we are proud to offer a number of tuition assistance programs.  

1.  Financial Aid
Financial Aid will be applied based on a sliding scale; families may be eligible for 25%, 50%, 75% or 90% tuition assistance.  Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and funds are limited.  If you would like to receive a financial aid application please email the Education and Community Engagement Manager.

2. Work Study
Work study opportunities are available for students participating in the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO).  The work study program offers students to volunteer as assistants in the RSO offices in exchange for a tuition waiver for the current YOP season.  Applications are reviewed at the beginning of each season.

3. Parent Representatives
Parent Representatives are a vital ingredient for the success of YOP.  Parent representatives are present at every rehearsal to supervise check-in, set-up, announcements, and dismissal.  A tuition waiver will be granted for one child of the parent representative in YOP for the current year.  Applicatons are reviewed at the beginning of each season.

Megan Miller
Education & Community Engagement Manager
Richmond Symphony
300 West Franklin Street, Suite #103E
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 788.4717 x144
Fax: (804) 788.1541
mmiller@richmondsymphony.com

Aimee Halbruner
Director of Education & Community Engagement
Richmond Symphony
300 West Franklin Street, Suite #103E
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 788.4717 x143
Fax: (804) 788.1541
ahalbruner@richmondsymphony.com