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WYSO Audition Workshop March 14, 2015 Enriching lives by providing transformational musical experiences and opportunities

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Welcome Overview of WYSO Application Process Eligibility Audition Dates Audition Requirements Audition Day Audition Criteria Results Notification Membership Acceptance Questions

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HarpPercussionBrass ChoirChamber Music Entering our 50 th season! WYSO Organization

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WYSO Paper Application

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Apply On-line!

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Seat Reservation Current WYSO string players may reserve their seat Non-refundable $50 reservation fee applied to 2015-16 tuition

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WYSO Eligibility Youth Orchestra 13-18 years old on Sep. 1, 2015 Performs advanced orchestral repertoire Applicants should have several years of ensemble experience Philharmonia Orchestra 12-18 years old on Sep. 1, 2015 Performs orchestral repertoire at the advanced HS and college level Applicants should perform at an advanced HS level

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WYSO Eligibility Concert Orchestra 12-18 years old on Sep. 1, 2015 Performs orchestral repertoire at the HS and advanced MS level Sinfonietta 10-16 years old on Sep. 1, 2015 Performs various levels of string orchestra repertoire from MS to HS level Applicants who will be nine years old on Sep. 1, 2015 may apply based on recommendation from a private teacher. They must also meet with the Sinfonietta conductor prior to auditioning.

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Orchestra Proficiencies Youth Orchestra: Violin/Viola Facility in advanced positions Established Vibrato Violists should have knowledge of Treble Clef Cello Facility in 1st through Thumb Position Established Vibrato Knowledge of Tenor Clef and Acquaintance with Treble Clef String Bass Facility in Half through Thumb Position Knowledge of Tenor Clef

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Orchestra Proficiencies Philharmonia Orchestra: Violin/Viola Facility in 1st through 5th Position Intermediate Level Vibrato Violists should have experience with playing in Treble Clef Cello Facility in 1st through 4th position, experience with playing in Thumb Position Intermediate Level Vibrato Experience playing in Tenor Clef String Bass Facility in Half through Thumb Position Developing Vibrato

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Orchestra Proficiencies Concert Orchestra and Sinfonietta: RH position established, with finger flexibility. Arm drawing the bow straight and using the hand, wrist and forearm together. Good LH position, hand/wrist and forearm in alignment, and flexible fingers. Produce a clean, clear, centered pitch with an established bow stroke and good left hand finger placement. Show signs of vibrato to improve and warm tone production. Ability to perform basic bow style, legato, staccato, marcato, and spiccato along with accented notes. Ability to perform a good pizzicato sound. A basic ability to play in position, especially third position. (Important to know for all Concert Orchestra/ Sinfonietta violins and Concert Orchestra violas.)

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Orchestra Proficiencies Concert Orchestra and Sinfonietta continued: Cellos need to know forward and backward extensions, with an ability to play in second, third, and fourth positions. Concert Orchestra cellos a basic knowledge of thumb position. Basses need to know half, second, fourth positions and Concert Orchestra basses a basic knowledge of thumb position

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Bypassing Orchestras No prelim audition needed for non-violinists Sinfonietta to Philharmonia Orchestra VIOLINISTS Concert Orchestra to Youth Orchestra VIOLINSTS Pre-audition for two conductors Excerpts from current repertoire Sight-reading from auditioning orchestra Sinfonietta members are not allowed to audition directly for Youth Orchestra Sinfonietta Concert Orchestra Philharmonia Orchestra Youth Orchestra

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Audition Dates Sunday, April 12, 2015 Youth Orchestra Violin, Viola, Cello Sunday, April 19, 2015 Philharmonia Violin, Viola, Cello All String Bass, Woodwinds Sunday, May 3, 2015 Concert Orchestra Violin, Viola, Cello Sinfonietta Viola, Cello All Brass, Percussion Saturday, May 9, 2015 Sinfonietta Violin

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Audition Requirements (Or, what to prepare!) Solo of your choice Approx. 2 minutes Scales Strings printed Winds/Perc memorized Excerpts Found online Play ALL for your desired orchestra Sight-reading Practice sight-reading daily!

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Audition Day What to wear Standard concert appropriate clothes are recommended. Instrument Make sure its working! Check in at the WYSO office at least 20 minutes before your audition Find a practice room and warm up Find your audition room 5 minutes before Checklist: Solo music (your copy and 2 judges copies) Instrument and Accessories Printed excerpts and scales for strings Directions to the UW Humanities Building Re-tune your instrument Ask a judge to help if needed!

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During the Audition Wait for the judges to get you Introduce yourself and hand the judges your solo music copies Winds and Percussion: let the judges know which orchestra requirements youve prepared Remember, everyone wants you to succeed! Audition order: Solo Scales You pick one, the judges will pick two Excerpts For winds and percussion, judges will ask B excerpts first, followed by A excerpts as needed Sight-reading Take about 20 seconds to look it over for tempo, key signature, and time signature

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Handling Anxiety Anxious thoughts and worry are natural Allow yourself a worry time Try to let these thoughts go Worry typically doesnt last long Keep your thoughts positive Focus on what you know you will do well Take comfort in knowing youre prepared Relax by stretching, breathing, and moving Focus on the task at hand, rather than your anxiety

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Judges WYSO Conductors as availability allows Professional musicians/music educators NO private teachers hearing their students The judges job: Be welcoming and create a positive environment Evaluate in an unbiased, honest and consistent manner Provide auditionee with feedback Provide conductors with feedback

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Sample Audition

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Audition Criteria Tone Quality Rhythm Intonation Technique/ Fundamentals Interpretation Overall

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Orchestra Placement Determined by the conductors, based on numerous factors Audition Rehearsal/concert attendance Rehearsal/concert preparation Attitude/behavior/ etiquette Section numbers for orchestra balance Re-auditions Rare Necessary for certain instruments Specific auditionees Late auditions Specific instruments of need Medical or other emergency conflicts

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Notification All results will be mailed Results cannot be given on the phone STRINGS: typically by following Thursday Basses may take up to a week longer WINDS/PERC: Wed. May 20 Membership Packets Letter of offer Audition feedback Member agreement/info forms Tuition invoice Family Guide Chamber Music app. Scholarship information Tour information Violin Sectional Audition info

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Violin Sectional Auditions Youth Orchestra All 2 nd violinists and new violinists Optional, but required to be considered for 1 st violin section Monday, May 18, 4pm-9pm Philharmonia Orchestra All 2 nd violinists and new violinists Optional, but required to be considered for 1 st violin section Tuesday, May 19, 4pm-9pm Concert Orchestra All violinists Optional, but required to be considered for 1 st violin section Tuesday, June 2, 4:15pm- 9pm

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After the Audition Time for self-reflection! Did you play your best and make it into the ensemble you were hoping for? Great! If not, contemplate what you could do differently for future auditions Remember: The result of one audition does not define the player. An audition is a tiny snapshot of your playing There are many factors influencing the audition process and predicting results is nearly impossible Disappointment can be a natural part of the process If things dont go the way you had planned, dont let that diminish what music and playing your instrument brings to your life!

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Return your forms! By Friday June 5 th Member info/agreement Chamber application First tuition payment or, Scholarship application Italy Tour Registration and deposit (to Encore)

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School Music Participation Policy WYSO membership should be supplemental to school music programs All members are expected, and strongly encouraged, to participate in their school orchestra, band, or strings program Participation in scheduled school orchestra or band performances always takes precedence over WYSO

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50 th Anniversary Season Overture Center Concert Features all four orchestras and all ensembles Philharmonia Orchetra Community Outreach Early Childhood Concert Italy Tour

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Questions?