Audition Requirements for all orchestras
TARGET AGE GROUPS FOR ORCHESTRAS*
Prelude String Orchestra (PSO): Late elementary school (approximately grades 4-6)
Intermezzo String Orchestra (ISO): Middle school and advanced/late middle school (approximately grades 6-7)
Youth Philharmonic (YP): Advanced middle school, and early high school (approximately grades 8-10)
Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO): Advanced high school (approximately grades 10-12)
CON VIVO CHAMBER MUSIC - ensembles will be created based on audition placement whether or not a student is planning to participate in full orchestra this year. Please submit an audition recording. More information on Con Vivo here.
*Students audition for the SFSYA organization and will be placed into an ensemble that staff feel is most developmentally appropriate.
Prelude String Orchestra (PSO): Late elementary school (approximately grades 4-6)
Intermezzo String Orchestra (ISO): Middle school and advanced/late middle school (approximately grades 6-7)
Youth Philharmonic (YP): Advanced middle school, and early high school (approximately grades 8-10)
Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO): Advanced high school (approximately grades 10-12)
CON VIVO CHAMBER MUSIC - ensembles will be created based on audition placement whether or not a student is planning to participate in full orchestra this year. Please submit an audition recording. More information on Con Vivo here.
*Students audition for the SFSYA organization and will be placed into an ensemble that staff feel is most developmentally appropriate.
PSO - Our first orchestra
**If a student is joining our organization for the first time, they need to play for our PSO Conductor, Haley Lovelace to make sure they have the skills and readiness, and it is the right place for them. See details below.
**If a student is joining our organization for the first time, they need to play for our PSO Conductor, Haley Lovelace to make sure they have the skills and readiness, and it is the right place for them. See details below.
Questions? Please contact William Waag, Director of Orchestras: william@sfysa.org
|
STRINGS (ISO, YP, and YSO)
|
Click to download SFYSA Program Continuity Document
|
|
VIOLIN
Scales ・Intermezzo String Orchestra (ISO): D major (2 octaves), melodic minor of your choice (2 octaves) ・Youth Philharmonic (YP): G major (3 octaves), D melodic minor (2 octaves) ・Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO): A major (3 octaves), and a melodic minor scale of your choice (3 octaves) Excerpts ・ISO: Perform any two excerpts that best showcases your musical skills ・YP: Perform any two excerpts that best showcases your musical skills ・YSO: Perform excerpt 7, and either 4, 5, or 6. |
VIOLA
Scales ・Intermezzo String Orchestra (ISO): G major (2 octaves), melodic minor of your choice (2 octaves) ・Youth Philharmonic (YP): C major (3 octaves), G melodic minor (2 octaves) ・Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO): A major (3 octaves), and a melodic minor scale of your choice (3 octaves) Excerpts ・ISO: Perform any two excerpts that best showcases your musical skills ・YP: Perform any two excerpts that best showcases your musical skills ・YSO: Perform excerpt 7, and either 4, 5, or 6. |
|
CELLO
Scales ・Intermezzo String Orchestra (ISO): G major (2 octaves), melodic minor of your choice (2 octaves) ・Youth Philharmonic (YP): C major (3 octaves), G melodic minor (2 octaves) ・Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO): A major (3 octaves), and a melodic minor scale of your choice (3 octaves) Excerpts ・ISO: Perform any two excerpts that best showcases your musical skills ・YP: Perform any two excerpts that best showcases your musical skills ・YSO: Perform excerpt 7, and either 4, 5, or 6. |
BASS
Scales ・Intermezzo String Orchestra (ISO): 1 major scale of your choice (1 octave), and 1 melodic minor of your choice (1 octave) ・Youth Philharmonic (YP): A major (1 octaves), E melodic minor (2 octaves) ・Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO): A major (2 octaves), and a melodic minor scale of your choice (2 octaves) Excerpts ・ISO: Perform any two excerpts that best showcases your musical skills ・YP: Perform any two excerpts that best showcases your musical skills ・YSO: Perform excerpt 6, and either 4 or 5. |
WOODWINDS & BRASS (YP and YSO)
Click instrument to download requirements and excerpts
PERCUSSION (YP and YSO)
Scales
・Youth Philharmonic (YP): F major (concert pitch)
・Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO): A major (concert pitch)
Excerpts
・Snare, timpani, and mallet excerpts below (lengths are different for YP and YSO auditions)
・For questions about instrument access, contact William Waag william@sfysa.org
・Youth Philharmonic (YP): F major (concert pitch)
・Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO): A major (concert pitch)
Excerpts
・Snare, timpani, and mallet excerpts below (lengths are different for YP and YSO auditions)
・For questions about instrument access, contact William Waag william@sfysa.org
Prelude String Orchestra (PSO)
Readiness Requirements - what we'll be listening for
Target Age Group: Late elementary school (approximately grades 4-6)
Questions or Concerns? Please contact our PSO Conductor, Haley Lovelace at haley@sfysa.org.
Prelude String Orchestra provides an introduction to mixed ensemble playing and prepares students to advance to the Intermezzo String Orchestra.
• Please play a 2-octave scale of your choice (except Bass - one octave)
• Please play a solo piece you like that showcases your musical skills.
PROFICIENCY STANDARDS
VIOLIN / VIOLA
– Proficiency with fingerboard geography in first-position on all four strings, including high and low second-finger
– Proficiency with note-names in first-position on all four strings
– Proficiency with a 2-octave G-Scale (violin) or a 2-octave C-Scale (viola)
– Completion of "Etude" and all prior pieces from Book 1 of the Suzuki repertory, or equivalent level of proficiency
– Note-reading experience is not necessary, but students must be ready to begin note-reading
CELLO
– Proficiency with fingerboard geography in first-position on all four strings, including second- and third-finger
– Proficiency with note-names in first-position on all four strings
– Proficiency with a 2-octave C-Scale
– Completion of "Rigadoon" and all prior pieces from Book 1 of the Suzuki repertory, or equivalent level of proficiency
– Note-reading experience is not necessary, but students must be ready to begin note-reading
BASS
– Proficiency with fingerboard geography in the first three positions on all four strings
– Proficiency with note-names in the first three positions on all four strings
– Proficiency with a 1-octave G-Scale
– Completion of "Perpetual Motion" and all prior pieces from Book 1 of the Suzuki repertory, or equivalent level of proficiency
– Note-reading experience is not necessary, but students must be ready to begin note-reading
Readiness Requirements - what we'll be listening for
Target Age Group: Late elementary school (approximately grades 4-6)
Questions or Concerns? Please contact our PSO Conductor, Haley Lovelace at haley@sfysa.org.
Prelude String Orchestra provides an introduction to mixed ensemble playing and prepares students to advance to the Intermezzo String Orchestra.
- Students entering PSO for the first time should have a minimum of 2 years previous study on their instrument, and demonstrate note-reading readiness.
- The recommended minimum age for PSO is 8 years old, or entering 3rd grade. The recommended maximum age is 11 years old, or entering 6th grade. Exceptions to these recommendations can be made by the PSO Conductor
• Please play a 2-octave scale of your choice (except Bass - one octave)
• Please play a solo piece you like that showcases your musical skills.
PROFICIENCY STANDARDS
VIOLIN / VIOLA
– Proficiency with fingerboard geography in first-position on all four strings, including high and low second-finger
– Proficiency with note-names in first-position on all four strings
– Proficiency with a 2-octave G-Scale (violin) or a 2-octave C-Scale (viola)
– Completion of "Etude" and all prior pieces from Book 1 of the Suzuki repertory, or equivalent level of proficiency
– Note-reading experience is not necessary, but students must be ready to begin note-reading
CELLO
– Proficiency with fingerboard geography in first-position on all four strings, including second- and third-finger
– Proficiency with note-names in first-position on all four strings
– Proficiency with a 2-octave C-Scale
– Completion of "Rigadoon" and all prior pieces from Book 1 of the Suzuki repertory, or equivalent level of proficiency
– Note-reading experience is not necessary, but students must be ready to begin note-reading
BASS
– Proficiency with fingerboard geography in the first three positions on all four strings
– Proficiency with note-names in the first three positions on all four strings
– Proficiency with a 1-octave G-Scale
– Completion of "Perpetual Motion" and all prior pieces from Book 1 of the Suzuki repertory, or equivalent level of proficiency
– Note-reading experience is not necessary, but students must be ready to begin note-reading
