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Youth Orchestra Auditions | Rockford, IL

By | June 10, 2010

Calling All Young Musicians!

Rockford Symphany Youth Orchestra RSYO has announced auditions

Auditions will be held June 11-13 for its 45th concert season beginning in September. RSYO is seeking high school students who would like to audition to be in the orchestra.

The RSYO is the area’s premiere full-training orchestra for student musicians that provides quality, full symphony orchestra training and performance experiences that are engaging, challenging and fun.

Auditions for the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra take place annually in the spring for the next concert season. However, students may audition by appointment between semesters for admission in the spring semester.

Auditions take place at the Riverfront Museum Park located at 711 N. Main St. in Rockford, IL 61103. Auditions for the Youth Orchestra are by appointment only.  To schedule an audition call (815) 972-2939 Monday-Friday between 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Auditions are accepted on the following instruments:

  • Flute/Piccolo
  • Trumpet
  • Piano
  • Oboe/English Horn
  • Trombone
  • Violin
  • Clarinet/Bass Clarinet
  • Tuba
  • Viola
  • Bassoon/Contrabassoon
  • Percussion (all instruments)
  • Cello
  • French Horn
  • Harp
  • Bass

Auditions for the 2010-11 season are:
Friday, June 11 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. Strings
Saturday, June 12 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Winds, Brass, and Percussion
Sunday, June 13 noon – 4 p.m. All instruments

Audition Guidelines
The RSYO is an advanced ensemble intended for young musicians who have been playing for a minimum of three years.  The typical RSYO member has been playing for five years or more, and is taking private lessons on the instrument that they play in the orchestra.

Each audition will last approximately 10 minutes.  Musicians will be asked to play:
1) two contrasting solo pieces (concerto movement, etude, etc.) of 3-5 minutes length.  One piece should be fast and demonstrate virtuosity and technical skill, the other should be slower to show the applicant’s musicality and quality of tone.
2) scales— from memory preferred—  Major and minor 0-4 flats and sharps, plus chromatic scale.  At least two octaves, 3 preferred.
3) sight-reading– will be provided.

Auditions are judged according to six categories:  Musicality, Intonation, Technique, Tone Quality, Scales, and Sight-reading

More information may be found on their site http://www.rockfordsymphony.com/education/auditions.asp