Audition Guidelines

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.

Each audition will last approximately 10 minutes.

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.

Additional Preferred Criteria

Strings

Violin: Demonstrate shifting ability through fifth position.
Viola: Demonstrate shifting ability through third position, comfort reading treble clef.
Cello: Be familiar with tenor, bass and treble clef, have some introduction to thumb position, and shifting through sixth position.
Bass: Be familiar with positions up through fourth, up to the half string harmonic.

Flute: Ability to double on piccolo.
Oboe: Ability to double on English Horn.
Clarinet: Comfort with transposition (A, C clarinets, etc.); ability to double bass clarinet.
Bassoon: Comfort reading tenor clef.