Audition Brochure for 2013-2014 Season

AY PO

Audition Brochure

for the

2013-2014 Orchestra Season

tr aining the creative minds of the future

American Youth Philharmonic Orchest ras

General Audition Info Eligible Applicants AYPO accepts musicians up to age 21 on strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp, and piano. Applicant should have at least two years of experience on the instrument and be currently enrolled in private lessons. AYPO accepts applicants based on their musical ability without regard to gender, race, religion, disability, or income. Full and partial scholarships are available. Prior membership in AYPO does not guarantee continued membership and all musicians are required to audition each season. Annual open auditions ensure that the most qualified instrumentalists have the opportunity to participate and that AYPO is comprised of the highest quality orchestras.

How to Apply Complete the online application at www.aypo.org/auditions and submit with non-refundable $40 fee. You can pay the fee online with credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or by mail with check made payable to AYPO.

Application Deadline Submit online by April 1, 2013. Applicant will be notified by email 10 days prior to the audition date as to the specific time for his/her audition as well as the location and directions.

Results Round 1 audition results and the Round 2 schedule will be sent by email in May 2013. Round 2 audition results will be sent by email in July 2013. In accordance with AYPO policy, results will not be available by phone. Judges’ comments are not available. All decisions of the artistic and administrative staff are final.

Questions?

Visit www.aypo.org/auditions or contact the AYPO office at manager@aypo.org or 703-642-8052.

About AYPO Our Mission is to provide the highest quality musical experience that allows our students to grow as musicians and individuals, who then contribute to our nation’s cultural landscape, as they become future artistic and community leaders. Recognized as one of the leading orchestral training programs in the nation, AYPO provides competitive worldclass training and performance opportunities for young musicians up to 21 years of age. With a nationally recognized artistic staff, a dedicated professional staff, and a host of volunteers, AYPO annually selects and trains over 400 of the most talented young musicians. Since 1964, AYPO has delivered programs of the highest caliber to young musicians and audiences throughout the Washington metropolitan region, earning an unrivaled reputation for excellence and distinction. The organization administers four youth orchestras that rehearse weekly on Monday evenings September-May and present a season of ten concerts annually. AYPO also offers educational opportunities including the Chamber Ensemble Program and Music Buddies Mentorship Program.

American Youth Philharmonic (AYP) is composed of the organization’s most accomplished young musicians and has received wide critical acclaim for its professional sound and interpretation. AYP collaborates with numerous worldrenowned soloists and, as the flagship orchestra, plans to tour internationally in 2014. Repertoire: advanced symphonic literature including 20th and 21st century compositions and commissioned works by contemporary composers.

American Youth Symphonic Orchestra (AYSO) is composed of advanced musicians who perform challenging repertoire of the highest caliber. Repertoire: standard symphonic literature.

American Youth Concert Orchestra (AYCO) is a full symphonic training orchestra composed of experienced young musicians. Emphasis: developing ensemble skills and reinforcing individual and fundamental performance

photo by yoonjoo cho

technique. Repertoire: symphonic and arrangements of original works targeted to developing ensembles.

American Youth String Ensemble (AYSE) provides young string musicians their first exposure to ensemble playing at high levels of performance. Musicians focus on the relationship between the various string parts, accurate rhythm and tempi, and orchestral procedure. Repertoire: string orchestra works and arrangements of standard symphonic literature.

The Chamber Ensemble Program is led by the renowned Ensemble da Camera of Washington, AYPO’s ensemble inresidence! The program is open to AYP and AYSO musicians and ensembles are formed based on position in the orchestra, instrumentation, and repertoire. Musicians receive private ensemble lessons, participation in four master classes, admission to two concerts by The Ensemble, weekly rehearsal space, performance at the spring recital, and performance opportunities in the community. The application is available upon acceptance into the orchestra program.

The Music Buddies Mentorship Program provides private music instruction to disadvantaged students in the region. AYPO musicians have the opportunity to mentor students on their instruments on a weekly basis. Mentors attend monthly training sessions with a professional educator in order to learn how to teach music to children. The program is open to musicians in AYCO, AYSO, and AYP (8th grade or older). Mentoring is a way for young musicians to gain valuable hands-on teaching experience while enriching the lives of fellow musicians. The application is available upon acceptance into the orchestra program.

Process & Requirements Applicants must decide to audition at the preparatory level (AYSE and AYCO) or the advanced level (AYSO and AYP) based on the requirements. If an applicant auditions on two instruments, he/she will only be accepted on one, at the discretion of the artistic and administrative staff and based on the needs of the orchestra. Applicants in Round 1 should note the dates for Round 2, to be available should they qualify. Applicants are scheduled according to the instruments they play and must adhere to the audition time assigned by AYPO. Contact AYPO with specific, unavoidable conflicts with the audition schedule.

ROUND 1 Saturday, April 27, 2013, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. [Location TBD] Note: this is a "blind" audition. There will be a curtain between the auditioning musician and the judges. The musician will not be allowed to communicate directly with the judges (there will be a volunteer who will communicate on his/her behalf).

Who Participates in Round 1?

• New applicants (not in AYPO during the 2012-2013 season) on the Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, and Clarinet. All other new applicants proceed to Round 2. If applicant auditions at the advanced level in Round 1 and does not qualify for Round 2, the applicant might be offered the opportunity to audition at the preparatory level in Round 2.

• Current AYSE and AYCO musicians on the Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, and Clarinet who wish to move up into one of the advanced level orchestras (AYSO and AYP). If applicant auditions at the advanced level in Round 1 and does not qulaify for Round 2, the applicant might be offered the opportunity to audition at the preparatory level in Round 2.

• All other musicians please see Round 2 information.

Round 1 Requirements: Preparatory Level • Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass: scales C, G, F major, c and g melodic minor (scales two or three octaves, tempo quarter note = 120), solo piece, and sightreading (there are no assigned excerpts).

Applicants should choose a solo piece representing the highest level of performance, without compromising quality, and should bring two copies of their solo piece: one for the applicant and one for the judges (with the prepared measures marked). The judges may start and stop the applicant in several places.

• Flute and Clarinet: scales in all keys up to three sharps and three flats (scales two octaves, tempo quarter note = 120), plus chromatic scale (as extensive as possible), assigned excerpts (posted online), and sightreading.

Round 1 Requirements: Advanced Level • Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass: scales G, A, and B major, e, f#, and g melodic minors (scales three octaves, tempo quarter note = 120), assigned excerpts (posted online), and sightreading.

• Flute and Clarinet: scales in all keys up to three sharps and three flats (scales two octaves, tempo quarter note = 120), plus chromatic scale (as extensive as possible), assigned excerpts (posted online), and sightreading.

ROUND 2 June 5-16, 2013 [Various Times/Locations] Note: participation in Round 2 does not guarantee placement.

Who Participates in Round 2?

• New applicants (not in AYPO during the 2012-2013 season) on the Oboe, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Harp, Percussion, and Piano. If applicant auditions at the advanced level in Round 2 and does not qualify, the applicant might be offered the opportunity to audition at the preparatory level.

photo by susan perdue

• Current AYSE and AYCO musicians who wish to re-audition for the preparatory level orchestras on all instruments.

• Current AYSE and AYCO musicians who wish to audition for the advanced level orchestras (AYSO and AYP) on the Oboe, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Harp, Percussion, and Piano. If applicant auditions at the advanced level in Round 2 and does not qualify, the applicant might be offered the opportunity to audition at the preparatory level.

• Current AYSO and AYP musicians who wish to re-audition for the advanced level orchestras on all instruments.

• Musicians who auditioned and passed Round 1.

Round 2 Requirements: Preparatory Level • Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass: same as Round 1 Requirements.

Additionally, prepare assigned excerpts that will be provided to applicants in May. • Woodwinds and Brass: all major and harmonic minor scales in keys up to three sharps and three flats (scales two octaves, tempo quarter note = 120), plus chromatic scale (as extensive as possible), assigned excerpts (posted online), and sightreading.

• Harp and Percussion: refer to website for requirements.

Round 2 Requirements: Advanced Level • Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass: same as Round 1 Requirements.

• Woodwinds and Brass: all major and harmonic minor scales in keys up to three sharps and three flats (scales two octaves, tempo quarter note = 120), plus chromatic scale (as extensive as possible), assigned excerpts (posted online), and sightreading.

• Harp, Percussion, Piano: refer to website for requirements.

Secondary Instruments: those interested in auditioning on the Piccolo, E-Flat Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, English Horn, or Contrabassoon should visit the website for details. www.aypo.org/auditions

Participating in AYPO New! For the first time ever, pianists have the opportunity to be a part of AYPO! Pianists will auditon as members of the new Chamber Ensemble Program and will perform orchestral works throughout the season.

Expectations Upon acceptance into AYPO, a serious and diligent commitment is expected of musicians and parents/guardians. Musicians are expected to: attend season orientation, weekly rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and concerts; practice orchestra parts outside of rehearsal; study their instruments privately; and participate in school music programs. Parents/Guardians are expected to: attend season orientation in September and the annual parent meeting in May; volunteer their time and talents; participate in fundraising activities; and support the AYPO musician in all above expectations.

Tuition Orchestra tuition for the 2013-2014 season will be announced in May, prior to Round 2 auditions. Tuition for the 2012-2013 season: AYP $980, AYSO $955, AYCO $855, and AYSE $780.

A non-refundable deposit is required upon notification of acceptance to the program. Payment plans available.

Scholarships Need-based scholarships for partial and full tuition are available and applications will be available upon notification of acceptance. No one who is accepted to an AYPO ensemble shall be denied participation in the orchestras due to inability to pay tuition.

www.aypo.org/auditions

photo by susan perdue brochure by michelle wallace

aypo.org/auditions

Apply online at

photo by susan perdue

www.aypo.org

Annandale, VA 22003

4026 Hummer Road

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