Florida
Youth Orchestra Audition Requirements |
FYO offers seven divisions with students
placed by level (not age)
| 1) |
Alpha Strings |
| 2) |
Silver Strings |
| 3) |
Chamber Strings |
| 4) |
Repertory Strings |
| 5) |
Flute Choir |
| 6) |
Symphony |
| 7) |
Principal Orchestra |
Alpha Strings & Silver Strings
Alpha Strings - Prepared Piece: Short solo demonstrating some mastery of instrument
(approx. Suzuki Late Book 1)
Silver Strings - Prepared Piece: Short solo demonstrating some mastery of instrument
(approx. Suzuki early Book 2 and above)
| Violin |
A major - 1 octave, D major - 1 octave, G major - 2 octaves |
| Viola |
C major - 2 octaves, D major - 1 octave, G major - 1 octave |
| Cello |
C major - 2 octaves, G major - 1 octave |
| Bass |
E major – 1 octave, D major 1 octave
Performed single bow, ¼ note = 60-80 metronome. It's important to keep steady tempo. |
Sight Reading: Must be able to recognize notes on a
staff.
Chamber Strings
Prepared Piece: Short solo demonstrating mastery of
instrument (approx. Suzuki Late Book 2 – Entire Book 3)
Scales:
| Violin |
2 octave scale and arpeggio (C major, D major, A major) |
| Viola |
2 octave scale and arpeggio (C major, G major) |
| Cello |
2 octave with arpeggio (C major, G major, D major) |
| Bass |
1 octave with arpeggio (G major, D major)
Performed single bow, ¼ note = 60-80 metronome. It's important to keep steady tempo. |
 Sight Reading: Students are given a short excerpt.
Must be able to read notes on staff.
Repertory Strings
Prepared Piece: Short solo or etude (unaccompanied) demonstrating mastery of instrument (approx. Suzuki Book 4 and above)
Scales: All scales to be presented by memory both single bow and four notes per bow.
|
Violin |
G
major and A major - 3 octaves |
|
Viola |
C
major and D major - 3 octaves |
|
Cello |
C
major and D major - 2 octaves |
| Bass |
F, G, A, B-flat and C major - 1 octave
Performed single bow, ¼ note = 60-70 metronome. It’s important to keep steady tempo. |
Sight Reading: Students will be given a short excerpt
to read.
Flute Choir
- Prepare two short excerpts, one technical and one lyrical, demonstrating mastery of the instrument. They can be a sonata, concerto or etude (unaccompanied). Applicants will be judged on technical ability, tone and musicality.
- Please bring a copy of your music for the judges.
- 12 major scales by memory - 2 octaves (3 octaves for C scale and B scale, if B foot is available on flute)
- Chromatic Scale - 3 octaves
Additionally, bring piccolo, alto flute, and/or bass flute to the audition, if you play any of these instruments.
Be prepared to demonstrate your proficiency on these instruments as described above.
Symphony
All Instruments:
- Prepare a short solo or etude (unaccompanied). Demonstrate mastery of 3rd and 5th positions on violin and viola and 1st through 4th positions on cello.
- Please bring a copy of your music for the judges.
- Approximate level of your piece should be equivalent to Suzuki – upper Book 4 and higher.
- Know the following scales, which are to be played by memory with one note per bow:
| Violin |
G major, A major, B flat major – 3 octaves. |
| Viola |
C major, D major, E flat major – 3 octaves |
| Cello |
C major, D major – 3 octaves, and E flat major – 2 octaves |
| Bass |
G major, E major - 1 octave, F major - 2 octaves |
| Woodwinds
|
C major, F
major, B flat major, E flat major, G major, D major and A major - 2 octave minimum |
| Brass
|
Concert F
major, E flat major and D major - 1 octave. B flat major - 2
octaves. Chromatic scale 2 octaves from F concert
(scales are all "concert") |
| Percussion
|
Mallets play C
major, F major, B flat major, G major, D major and A major -
1 octave |
- A short sight-reading piece at the Symphony Orchestra's level will be presented.
Principal Orchestra
 All
Instruments:
- Prepare two short excerpts, one technical and one lyrical, demonstrating
mastery of the instrument. They can be a sonata, concerto or etude (unaccompanied).
- Woodwinds and Brass Applicants: Will be judged on technical ability, tone and musicality.
- Strings Applicants: Will be judged on perfect intonation, good facility in passage work, good bowing technique, good tone, vibrato and be a high level of technical difficulty.
- Please bring a copy of your music for the judges.
| Strings |
C major, G major, D major, A major, E major, F major, Bb major, Eb major, Ab major – 3 octaves by memory and be able to play 4 notes slurred per bow in eighth notes. Set metronome at quarter note = 72.
String Bass: Same scales, but in 2 octaves (no displacement)
Violinists should be comfortable reading in 2nd, 4th and 5th positions. Cellists should be comfortable reading in tenor clef.
We are interested in intonation and accuracy – not speed.
|
| Flute |
All 12 major scales by memory - 2 octave minimum by memory
(3 octaves for C scale and B scale, if B foot is available on flute)
Also, chromatic scale, full range of instrument. |
|
Woodwinds |
All 12 major scales - 2 octaves minimum by memory.
Also, chromatic scale, full range of instrument. |
|
Brass |
All 12 major scales - 2 octaves. Also, chromatic scale,
full range of instrument. |
|
Percussion |
Percussion – Mallets play prepared piece. Also all 12
major scales (1 octave)
Snare play prepared solo, etude or study.
Timpani play prepared solo and demonstrate tuning
ability. |
- A short sight-reading piece at the Principal Orchestra's level will be presented.
|
