YOUTH ORCHESTRA PROGRAM
Siouxland Youth Orchestra Standards
Youth Symphony
Age
Students age 14 through college are eligible. Younger students may be admitted if they demonstrate playing ability beyond minimum entry level and the social maturity to function in the group.
Repertoire Level
Strings: A solo piece of difficulty equivalent to Suzuki Book 6
The following repertoire is clearly acceptable for admission to Youth Symphony
if played at a reasonably high standard:
Violin: Corelli, “La Folia”
Viola: J.C. Bach, Concerto in C minor, mvt. I
Cello: Bach, Suite No. 1 in G Major, Prelude
Bass: Capuzzi, Concerto in F
Winds: An All-State audition etude or standard concerto movement.
Percussion: Demonstrate ability on orchestral snare drum, malllet instruments, timpani and accessory instruments such as triangle, tambourine and crash cymbals. (Those auditioning primarily on timpani should be able to tune intervals between drums.)
Other works may be substituted. Contact the conductor (shufro@morningside.edu) if you have questions about your selection. Please understand that the quality of the playing is paramount. It is not wise to play a piece beyond your level of mastery.
Scales
Strings: Major scales 3 octaves
Winds: Major scales and chromatic scale over the range of the instrument.
Percussion: same as winds
Sight Reading
Passages are chosen from repertoire typical of level the Youth Symphony plays.
An excerpt from a Beethoven symphony or a Rossini Overture might serve as a sight-reading example.
Playing characteristics
1. Correct notes and rhythm
2. Accurate intonation
3. Good tone quality
4. Vibrato
5. Solid technical foundation and facility appropriate to the repertoire
6. Attention to dynamics and expression marks
7. Interpretive ability.
The above represent guidelines. Final decisions are at the discretion of the conductors. Borderline cases are decided on the basis of two simple questions
1. Will the Youth Symphony benefit form this player’s contribution?
2. Will this player benefit from the Youth Symphony experience?
Philharmonia
Repertoire Level
Strings: A solo piece of difficulty equivalent to Suzuki Book 3
Winds: A solo piece that would be appropriate for solo/ensemble contest
Percussion: Be able to demonstrate ability on orchestral snare drum, a mallet instrument, timpani, symbals and bass drum.
Scales
Strings, Winds and Percussion: C, G, D, F, and B-flat major scales
Sight Reading
Passages are chosen from repertoire typical of level the Philharmonia plays.
Playing characteristics
1. Correct notes and rhythm
2. Accurate intonation
3. Good tone quality
Symphonette
Repertoire Level
A solo piece of difficulty equivalent to Suzuki Book 1 beyond “Perpetual Motion”
Scales
G, D, A Major; l octave
Sight Reading
Passages are chosen from repertoire typical of level the Symphonette plays.
Playing characteristics
1. Correct notes and rhythm
2. Basic music reading ability
Sample Audition Ballot
Audition Solo: Composer___________________________Title__________________________
Years of private study______ Years in YS_____ P_____ S_____
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repertoire level : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Scales _____ ______ 8ve _____ ______ 8ve
Performance Score:
Scales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Solo 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Sight-reading 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Playing Characteristics - +
Tone quality 3 2 1 = 1 2 3
Intonation 3 2 1 = 1 2 3
Rhythm 3 2 1 = 1 2 3
Facility 3 2 1 = 1 2 3
Style (phrasing, tempo, articulation, nuance) 3 2 1 = 1 2 3
Presence (preparati0on, projection, security) 3 2 1 = 1 2 3
S S/P P P/Y Y
Comments: Adjudicator initials:
Rehearsal times and locations:Youth Symphony 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Eppley
Philharmonia 6:30-8:15 p.m., Room 100
Symphonette 6:30-8:00 p.m., Room 221
Admission to the Youth Orchestra program is by audition. The conducting staff assigns each student to the orchestra that provides each student the best opportunity for successful performance and the appropriate level of challenge. Auditions are held in the spring. Supplemental auditions are held in the fall and students may audition at various other times for positions not filled in the regularly scheduled auditions. Members must also participate in their school band or orchestra programs, if available. Private study is strongly encouraged.
All members of the Youth Orchestras Program receive complimentary tickets to Sioux City Symphony events.
Symphonette
This is a training orchestra for string students only. It is designed to motivate and meet the needs of students in orchestra for the first time. Playing in orchestra teaches the student to read accurately and play with solid rhythm. It also introduces beginning theory and basic musicianship. The orchestra performs two concerts a year. It is conducted by Mr. Tom Miller.
Philharmonia
This orchestra is a full orchestra including strings and winds. Students must meet minimum requirements at the faculty's discretion. Skills developed are fluency in reading, playing in the first three positions, use of more complex rhythms and key signatures, and musicianship. Arrangements of orchestral repertoire are used. This orchestra prepares the students for the Youth Symphony. The orchestra performs two concerts a year. This orchestra is conducted by Mr. Jungho Kim.
Youth Symphony
This orchestra if the highest level in the program. Members are generally advanced high school and college level musicians. Membership is based on audition and faculty recommendation. This orchestra plays standard repertoire and students learn about professional standards of playing and orchestra protocol. The orchestra performs two concerts a year at Morningside College . This orchestra is conducted by Joe Shufro, faculty member at Morningside College and principal cellist of the Sioux City Symphony.
Auditions
Auditions are held in the spring of the year for the following fall. The short audition consists of two scales of the student's choice, an unaccompanied solo that need not be memorized, and a sightreading example provided by the conductors.
Chair Placement
The audition for the Youth Orchestras Program will also serve as the audition for chair placement. In the event of a "tie," priority will be given to those with seniority.
Travel
Although no international tour is planned for the 2006-2007 season, we will be doing a joint concert with the Sioux Empire Youth Symphony and Sioux City Symphonies this year. Travel costs will be paid by the Academy.
Uniforms
Symphonette concert dress consists of black pants or skirts and white shirts. Philharmonia concert dress is black pants and white shirts for males and black dresses for females. Youth Symphony concert dress will be tuxes for males and black dresses for females.
Weather Cancellations
In case of bad weather, a decision will be made and put on the academy office answering machine and Web site no later than 4:30. If there is no school or an early dismissal for the Sioux City Public Schools due to inclement weather, rehearsal is cancelled.
Music and Folders
Music and folders will be provided for each student at the beginning of each session. Students not returning music after the concert will be fined replacement costs.
The Morningside College experience cultivates a passion for life-long learning and a dedication to ethical leadership and civic responsibility.