WYSO Audition Workshop
March 14, 2015
“Enriching lives by providing transformational musical experiences and
opportunities”
• Welcome
• Overview of WYSO
• Application Process
• Eligibility
• Audition Dates
• Audition Requirements
• Audition Day
• Audition Criteria
• Results Notification
• Membership Acceptance
• Questions
WYSO Organization
Brass Choir
Harp
Percussion
Entering our 50th season!
Chamber Music
WYSO Paper Application
Apply On-line!
Seat Reservation
 Current WYSO string players may reserve their seat
 Non-refundable $50 reservation fee applied to
2015-16 tuition
WYSO Eligibility
 Youth Orchestra
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

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
WYSO Eligibility
 Concert Orchestra


12-18 years old on Sep. 1, 2015
Performs orchestral repertoire at the HS and advanced MS
level
 Sinfonietta
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
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.
Orchestra Proficiencies
 Youth Orchestra:
 Violin/Viola
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
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Facility in advanced positions
Established Vibrato
Violists should have knowledge of Treble Clef
 Cello
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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
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
Orchestra Proficiencies
 Concert Orchestra and Sinfonietta:




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
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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.)
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
Bypassing Orchestras
Sinfonietta
 No prelim audition needed for
non-violinists
 Sinfonietta to Philharmonia
Orchestra VIOLINISTS
 Concert Orchestra to Youth
Orchestra VIOLINSTS
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

Concert
Orchestra
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
Philharmonia
Orchestra
Youth
Orchestra
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
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!
Audition Day
 What to wear

Standard concert
appropriate clothes are
recommended.
 Re-tune your instrument
 Ask a judge to help if
needed!
 Instrument

Make sure it’s 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:

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Solo music (your copy
and 2 judges’ copies)
Instrument and
Accessories
Printed excerpts and
scales for strings
Directions to the UW
Humanities Building
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 you’ve
prepared
 Remember, everyone
wants you to succeed!
Audition order:


Solo
Scales


Excerpts


You pick one, the judges will
pick two
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
Handling Anxiety
 Anxious thoughts and worry are natural
 Allow yourself a “worry time”
 Try to let these thoughts go
 Worry typically doesn’t last long
 Keep your thoughts positive
 Focus on what you know you will do well
 Take comfort in knowing you’re prepared
 Relax by stretching, breathing, and moving
 Focus on the task at hand, rather than your anxiety
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
Sample Audition
Sample Audition
Audition Criteria
 Tone Quality
 Rhythm
 Intonation
 Technique/
Fundamentals
 Interpretation
 Overall
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
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



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

agreement/info forms
Tuition invoice
Family Guide
Chamber Music app.
Scholarship
information
Tour information
Violin Sectional
Audition info
Violin Sectional Auditions
 Youth Orchestra  Philharmonia
 Concert
Orchestra
Orchestra
 All 2nd violinists
and new
 All 2nd violinists
 All violinists
violinists
and new
 Optional, but
violinists
 Optional, but
required to be
required to be
 Optional, but
considered for
considered for
required to be
1st violin
1st violin
considered for
section
section
1st violin
Tuesday, June
section
Monday, May
18, 4pm-9pm
Tuesday, May
19, 4pm-9pm
2, 4:15pm9pm
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 don’t go the way you had planned, don’t let that
diminish what music and playing your instrument brings to
your life!
Return your forms!
 By Friday June 5th
 Member
info/agreement
 Chamber application
 First tuition payment
or,
 Scholarship application
 Italy Tour Registration
and deposit (to Encore)
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
50th Anniversary Season
 Overture Center Concert
 Features all four orchestras
and all ensembles
 Philharmonia Orchetra
Community Outreach Early
Childhood Concert
 Italy Tour
Questions?