Click here for current openings in all orchestras and ensembles.
Click here for 2008-09 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 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 2 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 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 3-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 Three.
Scale: You will be asked to play a 3-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 2-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 a minute in length.
Scales: Please prepare a 2-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.
SENIOR FLUTE CHOIR:
Same as Youth Orchestra winds/brass requirements, except no sight reading.
JUNIOR FLUTE CHOIR:
Same as Evans Orchestra winds/brass requirements, except no sight reading.
SAXOPHONE ORCHESTRA and CLARINET ENSEMBLE:
Prepared Piece: Please prepare two contrasting pieces of your choosing, each about a minute in length.
Scales: Please prepare a 2-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.
