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The Flagler Youth Orchestra has four distinct levels of orchestras. Each returning student (or new-to-FYO experienced string player) will 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 or scales, a few measures from an unnamed piece of music and a sight reading component. Audition dates for the 2023-24 season are August 16th, 21st and 23rd.
Listed below are the audition materials and minimum skill expectations for the three non-beginner 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 Overture Orchestra material is less complex than the Con Brio Orchestra, and Con Brio is less complex than Harmony Chamber Orchestra. It is best to choose the difficulty of material based on what can be prepared 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! Waiting until the last minute to prepare is not advised.
Parents, it is imperative that you provide these materials to your child as soon as possible. In previous years, there were many students who didn’t see the audition materials until the day of the audition. This creates unnecessary anxiety that can 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, classroom engagement 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 an ensemble other than the one a student is being evaluated for. Students must spend at least one year in each of the orchestra levels of the FYO – no skipping levels.
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.
In the event that one of the FYO staff determines that a student may possibly be ready for mid-year advancement, the student will be notified and the artistic director and conductor of the next orchestra level will meet with the promising student. Otherwise, there will be no mid-year auditions, other than for new, but experienced membership.
2023-24 Audition Materials & Minimum Skill Expectations
Group B: Overture Orchestra
This is the orchestra level that all students finishing their first year should audition for. Ability to read and play music in D and G 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 using detache, staccato, legato, and pizzicato articulations.
Violin: D and G Major Scale and Arpeggio, and Excerpt
Viola: D and G Major Scale and Arpeggio, and Excerpt
Cello: D and G Major Scale and Arpeggio, and Excerpt
Bass: D and G Major Scale and Arpeggio, and Excerpt
Group C: Con Brio String Orchestra
Ability to read and play in D, G, C and F Major and related minor keys 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 using combinations of detache, staccato, legato, pizzicato, accents, marcato, and tremolo.
Violin: Two Octave G and A Major Scales and Arpeggios, and Excerpt
Viola: Two Octave C and D Major Scales and Arpeggios, and Excerpt
Cello: Two Octave C and D Major Scales and Arpeggios, and Excerpt
Bass: One Octave A and Two Octave G Major Scales and Arpeggios, and Excerpt
Group D: Harmony Chamber Orchestra
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. Members must be in compliance with the attendance policy or run the risk of being assigned to a lower level orchestra.
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.
Ability to read and play music in all keys 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 using advanced combinations of detache, staccato, legato, pizzicato, accents, marcato, tremolo, tenuto, portato, and others as necessary.
Violin: Three Octave G and A Major Scales and Arpeggios, and Excerpt
Viola: Three Octave C and D Major Scales and Arpeggios and Excerpt
Cello: Three Octave C and D Major Scales and Arpeggios and Excerpt
Bass: Two Octave F and A Major Scales and Arpeggios and Excerpt
2023-24 Audition Materials