symphony orchestra audition faq (ysi, ysii & co)
- What is a “full orchestra”?
- What instruments are accepted?
- Am I eligible to audition?
- How do I apply to audition?
- How much does the audition cost?
- Can I audition for two instruments?
- How do I know which group to try out for?
- What music do I play?
- When are the auditions?
- How will I know when my audition is?
- If I am trying out for more than one group, do I have to audition more than once?
- Where are the auditions held?
- Can I audition late?
- What if I am taking the SAT on my audition date?
- What if I can’t audition on the scheduled day?
- If I am accepted, how much does it cost?
- Is financial aid available?
- If I am accepted, what is expected of me?
- When are rehearsals?
- Do I have to take private lessons?
- What
if I played in YSI, YSII or CO last year?
What
is a “full orchestra”?
“Full orchestra” refers to an ensemble that
includes string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.
HYS has three full orchestras of varying levels: Youth Symphony
I, Youth Symphony II, and Concert Orchestra.
What
instruments are accepted?
HYS holds auditions for violin, viola, cello, bass, flute
(piccolo), oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone,
baritone, tuba, percussion, and harp. Auditions for piano
and saxophone are not held, but HYS offers a summer program
that accepts these instruments.
Am
I eligible to audition?
This table outlines age eligibility for the 2008-2009 season.
HYS accepts students through grade 12 only. In order to
ensure fairness, we do not make exceptions to age eligibility.
| Group |
Age
on 1/1/08 |
Which
means… You must be born in or before |
Youth
Symphony I |
13 years on 1/1/08 |
1994 |
Youth
Symphony II |
12 years on 1/1/08 |
1995 |
Concert
Orchestra |
10 years on 1/1/08 |
1997 |
How
do I apply to audition?
Download the audition
application and return it to the HYS office with
your fee by the deadline.
How
much does the audition cost?
The audition fee is $25. If your application is received
after the first scheduled due date the audition fee increases
to $35. NO FEE WAIVERS ARE ALLOWED.
Can
I audition for two instruments?
You may audition for more than one instrument, but you must
send in separate applications and fees for each instrument.
How
do I know which group to try out for?
Refer to our age eligibility criteria and consult with your
private teacher. The following short descriptions may help.
YSI students tend to have 4 to 6 years of experience. This group performs major symphonic works by Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, etc.
YSII students tend to have 3 to 5 years of experience. This group performs less difficult symphonic works by Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, etc.
CO students tend to have 2 to 4 years of experience. This group performs abridged versions of symphonic works.
What
music do I play?
You are responsible for making sure that you have the correct
audition excerpts, which will be made available on our web
site. You can determine your requirements by referring to
the following table:
| The
highest group I’m trying out for is CO |
The
highest group I’m trying out for is YSII |
The
highest group I’m trying out for is YSI |
|
| I’m
a new student |
CO |
CO & YSII |
CO, YSII &
YSI |
| I’m
currently in CO |
CO |
CO & YSII |
CO, YSII &
YSI |
| I’m
currently in YSII |
n/a |
YSII |
YSII & YSI |
| I’m
currently in YSI |
n/a |
n/a |
YSI |
For example: I am a new student and would like to audition for YSII. I must play both CO & YSII music on my audition date.
You may download the audition music here.
When
are the auditions?
Auditions are held the first two weekends in June.
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How
will I know when my audition is?
The audition application will outline the days each group
and instrument will be auditioning. After your application
is received you will be sent a specific time to show up
on your scheduled audition day.
If
I am trying out for more than one group, do I have to audition
more than once?
No. Use the HIGHEST group you are trying out for to determine
your audition day. You will play all the required audition
music at one audition appointment. For example, if you are
trying out for YSI and YSII, you will be assigned an audition
time during the YSI group.
Where
are the auditions held?
All auditions will be held at the University of Hawaii Music
Department.
Can
I audition late?
No. Late auditions are not allowed.
What
if I am taking the SAT on my audition date?
If your audition time is scheduled for the same day you
are taking the SAT, please include this information on your
application. You will be scheduled later in the afternoon.
What
if I can’t audition on the scheduled day?
If you know that you can’t make the scheduled audition
day, you will need to prepare a taped audition. Taped auditions
are then played during the live auditions.
If you live off-island, you will need to record yourself playing the audition music selections and submit the tape (cassette or CD) to the HYS office the week before your audition day.
If you have schedule conflicts but are
not off-island, you will need to be taped by one of our
music staff the week before your audition. After you have
submitted your audition application with request for a taped
audition, the HYS office will call you and schedule an appointment.
All taped auditions require an additional $10 fee.
If
I am accepted, how much does it cost?
Cost to HYS per student = Approximately $1200
Cost to you per season = Approximately $400
Is
financial aid available?
Need-based financial aid is available for registration fees,
private lessons or instrument rental. You may request a
financial aid application upon registration or download
the application from our website. All financial aid is on
a reimbursement basis.
If
I am accepted, what is expected of me?
Joining HYS means that you are making a year-long commitment.
You must 1) attend all rehearsals and concerts, 2) practice
and prepare your music, and 3) abide by all rules of conduct
and HYS policies.
When
are rehearsals?
Rehearsals are held every Sunday afternoon from August through
May. Students are expected to attend all rehearsals and
concerts. The 2008-2009 rehearsal schedule is outlined below:
|
Orchestra
|
Concert
Orchestra |
Youth
Symphony II |
Youth
Symphony I |
|
Rehearsal Location |
Niu Valley Middle School |
University Lab School 1776 University Ave Honolulu, HI 96822 |
|
Rehearsal Schedule |
12 noon - 1:00 pm Winds/Percussion 1:00 - 2:00 pm Full Orchestra Rehearsal 2:00 - 3:00 pm Strings |
10:00 - 11:00 am Winds/Percussion 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Full Orchestra Rehearsal 12:30 - 1:30 pm Strings |
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Winds/Percussion 12:30 - 2:15 pm Full Orchestra Rehearsal 2:15 - 3:15 pm Strings |
Do
I have to take private lessons?
Yes, private lessons are required.
What
if I played in YSI, YSII or CO last year?
You must re-audition for your seat in the orchestra. Acceptance
into YSI/YSII/CO will be based on your level of playing,
not prior membership in the orchestra.
