2016 ­ 2017 SEASON AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Napa Valley Youth Symphony has scheduled auditions in May and August, though we accept ​ auditions throughout the year. To schedule an audition go to www.nvyso.org/info/auditions or ​ ​ email us at [email protected]. ​ ​

A Solo Piece All auditioners should prepare a solo that shows their highest level of musical achievement. Something the student has been working on with a private teacher is ideal. Students will be assessed on technical ability, intonation, rhythmic accuracy, and musicianship.

Sight­Reading Students will be asked to demonstrate their music literacy through a short (8 to 16 measures) excerpt for their instrument. NVYS (Intermediate – Advanced) ALL STUDENTS should prepare an excerpt designated for their instrument available at ​ http://www.nvyso.org/info/auditions to the specific requirements below. ​ STRINGS: Students should prepare two three­octave (two­octaves for basses) scales, one ​ major and one minor. Students will be asked to demonstrate a variety of bowings, including detache, spiccato, marcato, hooked and slurred. WINDS: Students should prepare a chromatic scale encompassing the range of their instrument ​ as well as one major two­octave scale and one minor two­octave scale. Students may be asked to demonstrate a variety of articulations and dynamics. PERCUSSION: Students should be prepared to demonstrate all basic rudiments. Students ​ auditioning on timpani may be asked to tune drums to pitches chosen by the audition committee. Students should bring a drum or drum pad to the audition.

SINFONIA (Advanced beginner to Intermediate) WINDS: Students should prepare a major AND minor scale of their choosing. ​ PERCUSSION: Students should prepare the following rudiments: Single­stroke roll, bounce roll, ​ buzz roll. Please bring a drum or drum pad to the audition. See bit.ly/NVYSdrums ​ STRINGS: Students should prepare a two octave major scale of their choosing. Students ​ should be prepared to play the scale with separate bows or four notes slurred.

Who We Are Two ensembles: Sinfonia (strings, brass, woodwind and percussion) which is our training ensemble for ​ ​ advanced beginners to intermediate and the Napa Valley Youth Symphony for advanced players. Over 80 ​ ​ young musicians from four counties and 27 schools.

Rehearsals Rehearsals are held once a week on Tuesdays, at Napa Christian Campus, 2201 Pine Street, Napa ​ Sinfonia 4:30 ­ 5:20 Full Rehearsal Youth Symphony 4:30 ­ 5:20 Coaching Break Break 5:35 ­ 6:30 Coaching 5:35 – 7:15 Full Rehearsal (6:30 ­ 7:30 Bridge) (7:15 ­ 8:30 Chamber)

Auditions Auditions are in the Spring, late Summer and by appointment throughout the season. Auditions require you to play two scales, one solo piece of your choice and an excerpt for your instrument downloaded from the website. Visit nvyso.org to schedule an audition.

Concerts All ensembles typically perform three concerts a year at the Lincoln Theater and other events throughout the year.

Tuition Tuition rates for 2016 ­ 2017 season will be announced shortly. Partial scholarships are available and are based on need.

Musical Opportunities ● Perform music with advanced musicians throughout the valley. ● Travel abroad with NVYS; recent trips have included New York City/Carnegie Hall ( 2014) and Eastern Europe (2012), Dublin, York and London June 2016. ● Field Trips to see professional ensembles (Previous opportunities include the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic and Terence Blanchard). ● Coaching from professional musicians. ● Ensembles for students from two years of experience up to highly advanced musicians. ● Need­based scholarships available for tuition and lessons.

Questions? Want to schedule an audition? Please email [email protected] ​

SKILLS REQUIREMENTS FOR NVYS ENSEMBLES

The following are skill requirements for each entry into each ensemble:

String Sinfonia 1. Good basic string tone and technique 2. Accurately read whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and dotted rhythms 3. Familiarity with these scales and keys: D, G, A, C 4. Execution of the following techniques: arco, pizzicatto, legato, staccato, portato, tie, slur, fermata, accent, dynamics (pp ­ ff)

Wind Sinfonia 1. Good breath support, embouchure and tone 2. Accurately read whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and dotted rhythms in a variety of articulations 3. Familiarity with these keys and scales: Concert C, F, B­flat, E­Flat 4. Ability to play a one­octave chromatic scale (two octave for flute/clarinet)

Youth Symphony – Winds and Brass 1. 2­octave major and minor scales in all keys and chromatic scale 2. Good intonation throughout range of instrument 3. Ability to produce excellent tone quality with a variety of dynamics and articulations. 4. Ability to read rhythms including dotted eighth notes, sixteenth notes and triplets in addition to more basic rhythms.

Youth Symphony ­ Strings 1. Three octave scales – major and minor (Two octaves for basses) 2. Knowledge and execution of the following bow techniques: detache, portato, tremolo, martele (staccato), hooked bowing and spicatto. 3. Ability to produce excellent tone quality at all dynamics pp­ff 4. Ability to read and play in higher positions 5. Ability to contribute musically to performances of original works (professional­level orchestral music.) 6. Ability to read music fluently

Youth Symphony ­ Percussion You may be asked to demonstrate any of the Percussive Arts Society’s 40 rudiments. see bit.ly/NVYSdrums ​ ​