Auditions
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Be a part of GCTYO!
Students in grades 5-12 who play orchestral or band instruments are eligible to audition for one of our developmentally appropriate orchestras and our Jazz Orchestras. Current members must also audition each year.
For the 2020-21 season, students will be placed into small groups based on their audition results. Groups will consist of either all strings or all wind & brass. Percussion will have its own ensemble as well.
GCTYO Ensembles
GCTYO has changed our regular orchestra experience to small group instruction due to the pandemic. Below are groups that will be reinstated when it is safe to have large orchestra rehearsals again.
String Orchestra
For younger string players and those new to an orchestra setting
Wind Orchestra
For less experienced wind players and saxophones
Percussion Orchestra
Percussionists support all the ensembles.
Concert Orchestra
First level full orchestra for strings and winds
Symphony Orchestra
Second level full orchestra for strings and winds
Bravura Orchestra
Advanced string orchestra
Principal Orchestra
Top level full orchestra for strings and winds.
Chamber Orchestra
Small orchestra for the highest level musicians
Jazz Orchestras
Two jazz ensembles for both experienced and newer musicians
Audition Schedule
Audition registration is required! Audition fee is $25.
Auditions will be recorded this year. New and returning students will submit their recordings via email. We will send instructions after we receive your registration form.
Auditions are to be submitted between August 19th and August 29th. Everyone who plans to participate in our program either in person or virtually needs to submit an audition, unless you choose to participate in our Steel Pan ensemble. For new students auditioning in August, acceptances will be announced by September 12th.
GCTYO expects its members – string, woodwind, brass, and percussion – to remain in good standing as participants in their respective school music programs, where they exist. Private lessons alone are NOT a substitute for participation in school music programs.
Audition registration is required! Audition fee is $25.
Audition Information and Recommendations
Audition Information
Auditions will be recorded this year. A scale and excerpts of two contrasting parts will be required. The contrasting parts can be from the same piece or different pieces. There will be no sight reading this year. Audition videos should be no longer than 6 minutes. We will send detailed instructions for submitting audition videos soon.
Auditions are to be submitted between August 19th and August 29th. Everyone who plans to participate in our program either in person or virtually needs to submit an audition, unless you choose to participate in our Steel Pan ensemble.
Each student should prepare a piece or pieces that demonstrate their proficiency on the instrument. Percussionists should include snare, timpani, and mallet selections.
There is a non-refundable $25 audition fee to secure an audition appointment.
All current musicians are required to re-audition each year. Members are selected and seated by ability rather than age or grade.
Audition Dress Code: Business Casual: NO jeans, shorts sneakers or flip-flops. Dress for success and respect.
Audition Recommendations
We want you to feel relaxed and perform at your best, so we encourage you to review the following requirements and recommendations:
Scales
String players: Entry level string players must be able to play one-octave scales in the keys of C, G, D and F. Two to three-octave major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats may be asked of all other string players.
Woodwind and brass players: Entry level players must be able to play one-octave scales in concert keys up to 4 sharps and 4 flats. All other students may be asked to play two-octave scales in concert keys up to 4 sharps and 4 flats through their range.
Choose a solo you can play well. Have it well-prepared.
The adjudicator is not interested in when you started learning the solo; s/he will judge you on how well you play it. Choose a solo that shows off your ability. It should not be too easy, but if it is beyond your ability, it will hurt your audition score. Recognize that you will probably not perform your entire solo piece as audition time is limited. If the adjudicator asks you to stop, it is because s/he has heard what is needed.
Sight reading is a part of each audition.
Practice sight reading with your teacher at each lesson.
Be early for your audition
So that you can complete any necessary paperwork, warm up and be ready to do your best. We recommend that you arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time.
Placement
GCTYO bases placement on an objective scoring process that measures scales, intonation, tone quality, rhythm, articulation, dynamics, phrasing, expression and technique on the instrument. The suggestions above serve only as guidelines. Eligibility for each orchestra/wind ensemble is ultimately determined by the student’s over all ability level and the adjudicators’ judgment as to where the student will have the best possible experience.
Audition Videos
Below are the first of the consecutive segments of Mr. Hisey’s audition seminar. Because YouTube has a 10-minute limit per video, the seminar must be viewed in multiple sections.