The Acadiana Conservatory of Music is now accepting applications for those young musicians interested in joining one of two youth orchestras: Acadiana Symphony Youth Orchestra (for ages 13+ by 9/21/18) and Acadiana Symphony Prep Orchestra (for ages 8-13 by 9/21/18)
Our upcoming auditions will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2020 from 9am-12pm at the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra building located in the Oil Center. Please read below in preparation for your audition and download the scales and excerpts for your instrument. After you've completed the audition application at the bottom of this page, Michael Zeek will be in touch with you to confirm your audition time.

All new students are required to audition!
Both orchestras meet every Monday (excluding holidays) at First Baptist Church in Lafayette. Prep orchestra begins rehearsal promptly at 5:20pm-6:00pm while Youth Orchestra rehearses from 6:20pm-8:00pm. This year we have 5 planned performances. Two of these will be alongside the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and our final performance is for Festival International!

Calendar of Events

Yearly Tuition upon acceptance is as follows:
ASYO - $200 + Fees
ASPO - $100 + Fees

Audition Requirements

The audition process, which lasts between 8-10 minutes, requires you to prepare and adequately implement four musical components:

1

Solo piece

Each audition will begin with a short solo of your choice which demonstrates your playing ability. Solos should be a 2-3 minute selection performed without an accompanist, so be sure to play the part of the solo which puts your best foot forward. Solos may come from Suzuki books, etudes, concertos, solo repertoire, or any other source. Be sure to consult with your private music teacher or school music teacher for help selecting an appropriate solo. Practice, practice, practice! When preparing play your solo for others and get feedback. Video record yourself and listen with a critical ear. Look at your posture, body language, and technique. It's required to bring one copy of your solo for the judges. Before you begin, state the title, composer, and movement you will be performing. Play confidently and have fun! Everyone there, including the judges, want you to play well.

2

Scales

(Two - posted below) After performing your solo, the audition will proceed to scales. Scales are an important component of a musician's development and preparing them teaches us intonation, dexterity, ear-training, and music theory. Practicing scales helps with sight-reading, too!

3

Excerpts

(Posted below) In the third phase of the audition, you will be expected to play your required excerpts assigned to your instrument. These excerpts are designed to provide the judges with a basis for adjudicating students on the same materials with the same length of preparation. Excerpts may change from year to year. Count through all rests in excerpts, unless they are cut out via brackets or X. The rests are part of the music! If possible, obtain or look up a recording of each work so you can learn the context of the excerpts. Most can be found with a quick search of YouTube or Google.

4

Sight Reading

(Will be provided) The fourth, and final, part of the audition is sight reading. Many students struggle with sight reading, as it can be an intimidating task. There is one secret to learning how to sight read well. In addition, practicing scales is very useful, as you will be able to quickly identify the key of the sight reading and use muscle memory from playing scales in that key. Take 30-60 seconds to look at the sight reading excerpt before you begin to play. Determine the key of the piece and quickly scan for any accidentals. Think about the meter and choose a slower tempo for improved accuracy rather than one that is too fast. If you make a mistake, keep going!

Eligibility and Proficiency

Eligibility requirements and string proficiency levels have been developed in order to ensure the highest quality musical, educational and social setting for all members. ASYO encourages students (and parents) to have realistic expectations and to apply for an audition at the level most appropriate for their musical development, the options are ASYO and ASYPO (preparatory) . Consulting with a private teacher or school music teacher is highly recommended.

ASYO description

Acadiana Symphony Youth Orchestra is open to string, woodwind, brass and percussion students who will be age 13 or older by September 1 of the new school year. This group is ASO's premiere youth orchestra, performing advanced orchestral literature. Applicants should have several years of band or orchestra experience and perform individually at a pre-college or college level.

String Proficiency


Violin/Viola
  • Violists should have knowledge of Treble Clef
  • Facility in advanced positions
  • Established Vibrato

Cello
  • Facility in 1st through 4th positions (Thumb Position is encouraged)
  • Knowledge of Tenor Clef and Acquaintance with Treble Clef String
  • Established Vibrato

Bass
  • Facility in Half through Thumb Position preferred
  • Knowledge of Tenor Clef





Scales & Excerpts for Youth Orchestra Audition


ASPO description

Acadiana Symphony Preparatory Orchestra emphasizes technique development, incorporating instruction on fundamentals of scales, shifting, and bowing, in addition to formative ensemble skills experience. ASPO is open to string players who will be age 8-13 on September 1.


String Proficiency


Violin/Viola
  • RH position established, with finger flexibility. arm drawing the bow straight and using the hand, wrist and forearm together.
  • Can produce a clean, clear, centered pitch with an established bow stroke and good left hand finger placement at times.
  • Ability to perform basic bow style, legato, staccato, marcato, and spiccato along with accented notes.
  • Good LH position, hand/wrist and forearm in alignment, and flexible fingers.
  • A basic ability to play in position and beginning third position.
  • Ability to perform a good pizzicato sound.

Cello
  • Forward and backward extensions.

Bass
  • Half and third positions.


Scales & Excerpts for Prep Orchestra Audition


Audition FAQ

When can I apply for an audition?

Online applications will be available June 4th, 2019. The deadline to apply for auditions is Friday, August 16, 2019.

When will excerpts be made available?

Audition excerpts will be available online on June 4th, 2019.

When will my audition be held?

Individual audition time slots are confirmed via email after a completed application has been submitted.

Will ASYO hold violin sectional auditions after placements are made?

No. ASYO will not hold sectional auditions for chair placement. The conductors will be hearing the violin auditions in person, eliminating the need for a second audition for placement.

What should I play for my audition?

You will be asked to play, in this order, a solo of your choosing (2-3 min.), two scales from the required list posted on the website, the excerpts for your instrument also posted, and sight reading.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move and perform. Dressing up is nice and standard practice for auditioning as this isn't a blind audition, but don't feel obligated to purchase new clothing. NO OPEN TOE SHOES OR SANDALS.

What should I bring?

Bring your instrument in proper working condition along with any accessories. Bring your solo and one photocopy for the judges. Bring your printed excerpts (and scales for strings).

On what criteria will the audition be judged?

Each student will be judged on tone quality, rhythm, intonation, technique/fundamentals, interpretation, and overall performance.

How and when will orchestra placements be made?

Most auditions will be heard directly by ASYO artistic staff, each of whom are familiar with the different orchestra levels and their required skills and demands. As such, it is the ASYO artistic staff who make the orchestra placements. Results will be emailed to everyone the week following the auditions.

When should I arrive?

Plan to arrive between 20-30 minutes prior to your scheduled audition time. This will allow you to get checked in and warmed up in a practice room.

Where will I audition?

Check in will be in the main lobby at the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra at 412 Travis Street, Suite A. From there, you will be directed to a practice room and led to your audition in the conference room.

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