The Flagler Youth Orchestra will have four distinct levels of orchestras. Each returning student will have an audition with members of our teaching staff to determine placement in an ensemble level. Each evaluation will last approximately 3-4 minutes and will consist of a scale, a few measures from an unnamed piece of music and a sight reading component. Audition dates are August 26th and 31st, and September 2nd.

Listed below are the audition materials and minimum skill expectations for the three experienced levels. Students should select a level that he/she would like to be evaluated for and prepare that material by practicing it this summer. The B material is less complex than C, and C is less complex than D.  It is best to choose the difficulty of material based on what can be prepare well.  It makes much more sense to pick an easier level and do a very good job playing it, than to pick a more difficult level and not sound as good for the audition.

We will be looking for the following qualities during the audition: good posture, proper bow hold, playing in tune, use of the correct rhythms, good sound quality and musicianship.

Students should not worry about their audition.  This process allows us to successfully group students by skill level so each individual player can have a great experience where they are right now in their learning process. There is an orchestra for everyone. Students should set aside adequate time to prepare their audition materials, practice summer materials regularly, and do their best!

Parents, it is imperative that you provide these materials to your child as soon as possible. Last year, there were many students who didn’t see the audition materials until the day of the audition. This creates unnecessary anxiety that could be avoided.

Student Progression in the Flagler Youth Orchestra

Students may spend between 1-4+ years in a level, depending on the quality of their practice at home and how fast they progress. Please keep in mind the audition process is only one factor in determining a student’s placement in our program. Placement is also determined by where each level’s skills are and how student numbers fall within those levels. The FYO reserves the right to assign a student to a group other than the one a student is being evaluated for. Orchestra advancement is based on skill achievement, not the number of years a student has been in any particular orchestra.

FYO reserves the right to move students between levels as their skill level demonstrates competence,  improvement or not.

Harmony Chamber Orchestra Assignments

The Harmony Chamber Orchestra (HCO) is the representative ensemble for FYO in the community.  Placement in this group means that a student has reached a high enough level of development as a player and as a person to warrant their position in the group.  They are looked up to as role models by the younger and less developed students and are expected to be responsible for their own progress, keep track of their own music and generally behave in a mature and respectful manner at all times.  In order for a student to be accepted into the Harmony Chamber Orchestra, s/he must demonstrate:

• Excellent posture and form
• Excellent intonation
• Good reading ability
• Excellent tone quality
• Commitment to learning music (home practice)
• Being on time, being available for outreach performances
• Excellent comportment during ensemble and fundamental class: respect for teacher and other classmates
• Responsiveness to FYO:  answer emails and phone calls promptly

Members of the HCO will be expected to sign a commitment contract at the beginning of the year.

Some students will be accepted into Harmony Chamber Orchestra conditionally.  This means that, although s/he has demonstrated facility using the audition music, it will be necessary to show that the actual ensemble music can be mastered as well.  Also, classroom behavior and openness to instruction will be monitored to make sure that the student is mature enough to stay in HCO.

Some students who are assigned to C level will be notified that they are nearly ready to advance into HCO but still have some skills that need to be improved in order to make the change. They are *starred* members of the C level. When a student is told this, the best thing s/he can do is practice more in order to improve enough to move to HCO after the next evaluations. Starred students are eligible to audition mid-year during the week of evaluations, if they are in compliance with the attendance policy.

2015-16 Audition Materials & Minimum Skill Expectations

Group B: Beachside Ensemble

Ability to read music in D Major using quarter, half , whole and eighth notes and rests. Correct bow hold, bow use, left hand/arm position and fingering. Ability to make a clear, sonorous sound.

Violin: D Major scale and excerpt

Viola: D Major scale and excerpt

Cello: D Major scale and excerpt

Bass: D Major scale and excerpt

Group C: Citrus String Orchestra

Ability to read in D, G and C Major on all strings using quarter, half, whole, dotted half, eighth and sixteenth notes and rests. Correct bow hold, bow use, left hand/arm position and fingering. Ability to make a clear, sonorous and musical sound.

Violin: Two Octave G Major scale, and Excerpt

Viola: Two Octave G Major scale, and Excerpt

Cello: Two Octave G Major scale, and Excerpt

Bass: Two Octave G Major scale, and Excerpt

Group D: Harmony Chamber Orchestra

Ability to read music in D, G, C and F Major on all strings using all rhythm patterns and note values. Excellent bow hold, bow use, left hand/arm position and fingering. Ability to make a clear, sonorous, and musical sound.

Violin: Two Octave C Major scale, and Excerpt

Viola: Two Octave C Major scale, and Excerpt

Cello: Two Octave C Major scale,and  Excerpt

Bass: C Major scale, and  Excerpt