Youth Orchestras 2020-21 Auditions
Important Update - March 19, 2020
We're so excited that our auditions will continue! Our audition process will be in a different format. If you are registered, you should have received an email with audition instructions. If not, please email us at csyo@charlottesymphony.org.
Strings Sunday, March 22 Park Road Baptist Church |
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Winds/Brass/Percussion/Harp Sunday, March 29 Park Road Baptist Church |
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Any Orchestral Instrument Wednesday, April 1 Northwest School of the Arts |
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Any Orchestral Instrument Saturday, April 4 Park Road Baptist Church |
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Strings Sunday, April 5 Park Road Baptist Church |
Audition Registration is now complete. Please contact us at csyo@charlottesymphony.org if you have audition questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up for auditions? |
Registration is now complete. Please email us at csyo@charlottesymphony.org if you have audition questions. |
Are returning students guaranteed a spot in the 2020-2021 CSYO/CSYP program? |
As the city of Charlotte continues to grow in population, more talented musicians arrive every day with their families. In order to provide equal opportunity & access to the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra program, previous members of CSYO/CSYP must re-audition in Spring 2020 to earn their seat in the orchestra again. |
If a student is unsuccessful in auditioning into the CSYO, will they automatically be offered a spot in the CSYP? |
The Charlotte Symphony is committed to thoughtfully considering every student, and offering any opportunity to play that is available and pedagogically appropriate. |
When will results be announced? |
You will receive an email about a week after our last audition day (April 5). The email will let you know if you have been accepted, declined, or if you have been put on our wait list. |
Who will be judging the auditions? |
Our two conductors, Christopher James Lees and Dr. Jessica Morel, will be judging the auditions. |
When/where are rehearsals? |
The youth philharmonic rehearses on Monday evenings from 5:45-7:30pm at Park Road Baptist Church. The youth orchestra rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 5:45-8:15pm at Park Road Baptist Church. |
2020-21 CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
ALL WOODWINDS
- Sight reading
- Two contrasting solos of your choice showing your abilities and range. Please bring a copy of your solos
- All major scales and arpeggios, minimum of two octaves, plus instrument-specific scales as designated below
Flute
Three octave chromatic scale from low C
Oboe
Chromatic scale from low C to high E-flat (three ledger lines above staff)
Clarinet
Chromatic scale from low E to high G (four ledger lines above staff)
Bassoon
Three octave chromatic scale from low B-flat
ALL BRASS
- All major scales and chromatic scale of applicant's choice
- Two contrasting solos of your choice showing your abilities and range. Please bring a copy of your solos
- Sightreading
ALL STRINGS
- Sight reading
- Two contrasting solos of your choice showing your abilities and range. Please bring a copy of your solos
- Scales from memory as designated below
C, G, D, A, B-flat major 3 octaves; F major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 3 octaves. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Viola
C, G, D, F major 3 octaves; A, B-flat major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 3 octaves. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Cello
C, G, D, F major 3 octaves; A, B-flat major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 3 octaves. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Bass
C, D, B-flat major 1 octave; F, G, A major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 2 octaves. Slur scales 2 notes per bow.
Harp
All major scales and arpeggios
PERCUSSION
Percussion audition requirements are in alignment with CMS All District Band Requirements.Snare
Rudimental Long Roll: (Open-Closed-Open)
Orchestral (Buzz) Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)
Flam: (Open-Closed-Open)
Single Paradiddle: (Open-Closed-Open)
Mallets
Scales - 2 Octave Plus Arpeggio
Major Scales: G, C, F, B-Flat, E-Flat, A-Flat, D-Flat
Chromatic Scale: C - Two octaves
Timpani
Single Stroke Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)
Interval Tuning: 3rds, 4ths, 5ths
-AND-
Please prepare a solo of your choice for two out of the three instruments:
Snare Drum
Mallets
Timpani
2020-21 CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY YOUTH PHILHARMONIC AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
ALL INSTRUMENTS
- Sight reading
- Two contrasting solos of your choice showing your abilities and range. Please bring a copy of your solos
- Scales as designated below
SCALES
Winds and BrassMajor scales of one or two octaves (two octaves preferred) from the following: C, Bb, F, Eb, G, D, A, and a chromatic scale.
Violin
Two contrasting solos of your choice with a difficulty rating equivalent to Suzuki book 3 or above.
Perform all scales from memory:
C, G, D major 2 octaves; F major 1 octave; any melodic minor of the student's choice 1 octave. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Viola
Perform all scales from memory:
C, G, D major 2 octaves; F major 1 octave; any melodic minor of the student's choice 1 octave. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Cello
Perform all scales from memory:
C, G, D major 2 octaves; F major 1 octave; any melodic minor of the student's choice 1 octave. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Bass
Perform all scales from memory:
C, D, F major 1 octave; G major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 1 octave. Slur scales 2 notes per bow.
Harp
All major scales and arpeggios.
PERCUSSION
Percussion audition requirements are in alignment with CMS All District Band Requirements.Snare
Rudimental Long Roll: (Open-Closed-Open)
Orchestral (Buzz) Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)
Mallets
Scales - 1 Octave Plus Arpeggio
Major Scales: C, F, B-Flat, E-Flat
Chromatic Scale: C - Two octaves
Timpani
Single Stroke Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)
Interval Tuning: 3rds, 4ths, 5ths
-AND-
Please prepare a solo of your choice for two out of the three instruments:
Snare Drum
Mallets
Timpani