PREPARATORY ORCHESTRA was formed in January, 2001 and provides a beginning orchestral experience for string players of "new" ability. The primary emphasis of this ensemble is to teach beginning ensemble skills, orchestra rehearsal etiquette, and to help facilitate note-reading skills. Typical students are participants in fifth or sixth grade string programs who desire additional challenges and enrichment. This orchestra begins rehearsals in January.

Audition Requirements

• One 1-octave major scale of your choice.
• A prepared piece of your choice.

PRIMO ORCHESTRA develops basic technical and ensemble skills and encourages long-term interest in string performance. Typical new Primo members have studied their instruments for at least a year or two and have mastered basic technical and note-reading skills. The ensemble performs Grade 2-3 string orchestra literature.

Audition Requirements

• One 2-octave major scale, plus 2 additional one-octave scales of your choice.
• Prepared piece: Grade 1-2 solo to demonstrate note-reading ability.
• Sight-reading at appropriate level.

REPERTORY ORCHESTRA provides opportunities for the intermediate string player. A greater range of repertoire are introduced, along with advanced bowing and fingering techniques. Students are exposed to music theory. This orchestra performs Grade 3-4 orchestra literature.

Audition Requirements

• Violin - Scales: Two-octave g melodic minor, C Major, A Major; 2 excerpts; Sight reading.
• Viola - Scales: Two-octave d melodic minor, C Major, G Major; excerpt; Sight reading.
• Cello - Scales: Two-octave d melodic minor, G Major, D Major; 2 excerpts; Sight reading.
• Bass - Scales: One-octave a melodic minor, C Major, D Major; excerpt; Sight reading.

THE WIND SYMPHONY is the newest YOPW ensemble. Formed in February, 2003, it is designed to enhance the musical skills of outstanding woodwind, brass, and percussion players who are primarily in grades seven, eight, and nine. In addition to performing with the Wind Symphony, selected students will have the opportunity to perform orchestral literature on occasion with other YOPW ensembles.

Audition Requirements

All instruments are to prepare an assigned excerpt provided by YOPW. All woodwinds, brass, and mallets are to perform a chromatic scale in eighth notes ascending and descending from as low as you can play to as high as you can play. MM: Quarter note = 96. In addition, individual instruments are to prepare the following:

• Flute: Play an Eb Major Scale two octaves plus a Major 3rd slowly ascending and descending (first line Eb to G an octave above the staff).
• Oboe: Play a C Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending (C below the staff to C above the staff).
• Bassoon: Play an F Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending (F below the staff to F above the staff).
• Bb Clarinet: Play a C Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending (C below the staff to C above the staff).
• Alto Clarinet: Play a G Major Scale two octaves, slowly ascending and descending (G below the staff to G above the staff).
• Bass Clarinet: Play a G Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending (G below the staff to G above the staff).
• Contra-Bass Clarinet: Play a G Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending (G below the staff to G above the staff).
• Alto Saxophone: Play a C Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending (C below the staff to C above the staff).
• Tenor Saxophone: Play a C Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending (C below the staff to C above the staff).
• Baritone Saxophone: Play a C Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending (C below the staff to C above the staff).
• Trumpet: Play a G Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending (G below the staff to G above the staff).
• Trombone: Play an F Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending (F below the staff to F above the staff).
• Baritone: Play a G Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending (G below the staff to G above the staff).
• Euphonium: Play an F Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending (F below the staff to F above the staff).
• French Horn: Play a G Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending (G below the staff to G above the staff).
• Tuba: Play a Bb Major Scale slowly ascending and descending (Bb below the staff to 4th line F in the staff).
• Snare Drum: Rudiments to be played open-close-open: Long roll, 5-stroke, 7-stroke, 9-stroke rolls, flams, flam-accents, ruff, paradiddle.
• Tympani: Long roll (piano to forte to piano) plus be able to tune each tympani to a given pitch.
• Mallets: Play a Bb Major Scale two octaves slowly ascending and descending ((Bb below the staff to Bb above the staff).

CONCERT ORCHESTRA is a full orchestra with winds and percussion in which students master more difficult repertoire. Advanced technical skills are emphasized, and additional music theory is incorporated into rehearsals.

Audition Requirements

• Violin - Scales: Three octaves A Major, C Major, g melodic minor; Two page excerpt from Mozart Symphony #25; Sight reading
• Viola - Scales: Three octvaves D Major, F Major, c melodic minor; Two page excerpt from Mozart Symphony #25; Sight reading
• Cello - Scales: Three octaves D Major, F Major, c melodic minor; Two page excerpt from Mozart Symphony #25; Sight reading
• Bass - Scales: Two octaves A Major, C Major, g melodic minor; Two page excerpt from Mozart Symphony #25; Sight Reading
• Winds, Brass and Percussion - Chromatic Scales; Excerpts; Sightreading. See Auditions page for details.

THE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is the most advanced orchestra and performs standard orchestral literature. In addition to orchestral training and performance, YSO sponsors several student chamber groups that have additional performance opportunities.

Audition Requirements

• Violin - Scales: Three octaves B Major, EbMajor, c# melodic minor; Excerpts numbers 1, 2 & 3; Sight reading.
• Viola - Scales: Three octaves E Major, Ab Major, f# melodic minor; Excerpts numbers 1, 2 & 3; Sight reading.
• Cello - Scales: Three octaves E Major, Ab Major, f# melodic minor; Excerpts numbers 1, 2 & 3; Sight reading.
• Bass - Scales: Two octaves F Major, C Major, a melodic minor; Excerpts numbers 1, 2 & 3; Sight reading.
• Winds, Brass and Percussion - Chromatic Scales; Excerpts; Sightreading. See Auditions page for details.

THE PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE was formed in 2006. This ensemble provides YOPW percussion players an opportunity to prepare percussion ensemble literature and performs at several YOPW concerts during the season. All YOPW percussionists are members of this group. in addition to performing with other major ensembles.

THE CHAMBER MUSIC PROGRAM is an important part of YOPW's instructional program and helps develop ensemble skills that are useful across a variety of performing situations. YOPW will support two string quartets and a woodwind quintet for the 2007-2008 season. Each group receives monthly instruction from a professional coach and is expected to rehearse biweekly. These groups perform for a variety of public service events and contracted performances and serve as YOPW's ambassadors to the larger Prince William community.

Audition Requirements

• New YOPW members - Same material prepared for your orchestra audition.
• Continuing YOPW members - Same material required for admission to your current orchestra. Select two scales of your choice from assigned scales. You may replace assigned orchestral excerpts with a solo of comparable difficulty.

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