Click here for current openings in all orchestras and ensembles.
Click here for 2010–2011 season audition dates.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in any of the Youth Orchestras of Charlottesville-Albemarle ensembles is open to young musicians,
ages 10-18, living in the central Virginia area. Placement is determined by audition, which is set up by
appointment. Please email all inquiries to:
yoca_auditions@yahoo.com.
GENERAL AUDITION INFORMATION
Annual auditions are required for membership in the YOCA orchestras and ensembles. However, the audition requirement is waived for all
string players who are currently members in good standing in an orchestra and who wish to return to their current orchestra. Seating
auditions for all current strings in Evans and Youth Orchestras take place three times a year. String players who wish to move up to a
more advanced orchestra must audition for that ensemble. All woodwind, brass, and percussion players must re-audition each season if
they wish to continue in a particular orchestra/ensemble or move up to a more advanced group.
The manner and results of auditions will be determined solely by the conductor of the group for which a musician is auditioning, unless
the musician is also a private student of the conductor/director. In such cases, additional adjudicators will be present. Each conductor
has the responsibility to select players who can handle the challenges of the ensemble he or she conducts, and each conductor has the
discretion to leave a position vacant after the spring auditions if he or she believes that no sufficiently-qualified player has auditioned
for that position.
If positions remain open after the spring auditions, or if filled positions become open before or during the season, these vacancies will
be announced to local music teachers and posted here on the YOCA website, and will be filled through additional auditions in late August or
early September prior to the first rehearsal or, if necessary, by additional auditions during the season. Students who wish to audition in
August/September or during the season must first contact the general manager, Scot Jonté, who will arrange for a time when the
conductor can conduct the audition. The material to be prepared for these supplemental auditions is the same as that listed in the
Auditions Requirements, and the manner and results of the auditions are solely within the discretion of the conductor.
Students are expected to remain for the entire season in the ensemble/orchestra into which they have been initially placed.
AUDITIONS
Auditions take place for all students who wish to be in any YOCA orchestra or ensemble and are for the acceptance into that
orchestra/ensemble only. Seating placement takes place during the rehearsal season. Application for membership will be completed at
audition.
YOUTH ORCHESTRA (all instruments except percussion):
Prepared Piece:
Please prepare two contrasting pieces or excerpts, each not more than two minutes in length, which demonstrate your musicality, tone, and
technical skill.
Scales:
All instruments: All major scales up to and including six sharps and flats and melodic minor scales up to three sharps and flats: three
octaves for strings; as many as possible on instrument for winds/brass.
Sight-Reading:
You will be asked to sight-read a short selection.
Youth Orchestra percussionists:
Prepare two solos, etudes, or excerpts (26 standard rudiments) showing your skills on timpani, snare drum, mallet, and other percussion
instruments. Sight-reading is required.
EVANS ORCHESTRA:
Violins:
Prepared Piece: Please prepare one piece of about two minutes in length, with level of difficulty equal to VBODA
grade 4 or 5, or Suzuki Book 4 * comparable to Vivaldi's Concerto in A minor.
Scales: You will be asked to play a three-octave G major scale.
Sight-reading: You will be asked to sight-read a short selection.
Violas and Cellos:
Prepared Piece: Please prepare one piece comparable to a selection from Suzuki Book 3.
Scale: You will be asked to play a three-octave C major scale.
Sight-reading: You will be asked to sight-read a short selection.
Basses:
Prepared Piece: Please prepare one piece with a level of difficulty equal to VBODA grade 3 or 4.
Scales: You will be asked to play a two-octave E major scale.
Sight-reading: You will be asked to sight-read a short selection.
Woodwinds and Brasses:
Prepared Piece: Please prepare two contrasting pieces of your choosing, each about one minute in length.
Scales: Please prepare a two-octave chromatic scale, plus major scales up to four flats and four sharps.
Sight-reading: You will be asked to sight-read a short selection.
JUNIOR STRINGS:
Violins, Violas, Cellos, and Basses:
Members of this group should be able to play in major and minor finger patterns, use a full bow
with slurring abilities, and read music. There is no formal audition process for this program.
Attendance at the first rehearsals in September is requested; members can join throughout the year.
THE FLUTE ENSEMBLE:
For advanced flutists: same as Youth Orchestra winds/brass requirements, except no sight-reading.
THE FLUTE CHOIR:
For advanced flutists: same as Evans Orchestra winds/brass requirements, except no sight-reading.
THE PRÉLUDE FLUTE CHOIR:
For advanced beginners: two short contrasting pieces; major scales up to two sharps/flats.
CLARINET ENSEMBLE:
Prepared Piece: Please prepare two contrasting pieces of your choosing, each about one minute in length.
Scales: Please prepare a two-octave chromatic scale, plus major scales up to four flats and four sharps.
Sight-reading: You will be asked to sight-read a short selection.
