Audition

Auditions for each season are held in the spring.  Auditions for 2010-11 will be held April 21 - 25, 2010. See below for audition requirements.  If you would like to be notified of upcoming audition opportunities, please contact the Program Coordinator.  There is no charge to audition.

All MYSO groups (with the exception of Progressions and some Jazz Studies students) rehearse once a week during the school year.   The MYSO season begins in September and continues through May.  Other opportunities include the Chamber Ensemble Program, concerto competitions, MYSO Masterclass Series, the Junior Symphony Orchestra, Music Theory, John Downey Creation Project for young composers, and our Neighborhood Concert Series. Please remember, MYSO musicians are expected to participate in their school music programs on the same instrument they play in MYSO.

Participation Fee: Fees for the 2010-11 season to be announced by April 15, 2010.  (Fees for the 2009-10 season are $445.)  The participation fee includes auditions, music, rehearsal and concert space rental, sectional and ensemble coaching, concerto competitions, use of MYSO equipment, masterclasses, etc. 

Scholarship assistance is available: no student musician will be denied participation because of financial need but, please make sure to apply for a scholarship if you need financial assistance.  Scholarship forms will be available at the auditions and must be completed and returned to our office by the due date (mid-June). 

As in the past, we expect to offer a special reduced fee (to be announced by April 15, 2010) will be offered to students who participate in both MYSO and U-WAY (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Youth Wind Ensemble) on the same instrument.  This is an exceptional opportunity for students and will be offered at a significantly reduced fee.  (Offered in 2009-10 at $285 to each organization.  This is a savings of more than $200!)

Students who participate in the Jazz Studies program and another MYSO ensemble pay the regular registration fee (or the reduced U-WAY fee) and a reduced additional ensemble fee (offered in 2009-10 at $150) to Jazz Studies.      

What to Expect: Orchestra Auditions (Spring)

I. Scales:

The audition experience will probably begin with some scales. While scales are NOT the most important part of an audition, they are required for a variety of reasons. Scales can indicate a student’s ability to play in different registers of their instrument, their knowledge of music theory (key signatures, etc.) and their general facility on their instrument. Scales can also serve as an “ice breaker” for warm-up in the judge’s room. Judges typically factor age/grade into which scale is initially asked of the musician. All students will be asked to play major scales in as many octaves as possible or comfortable, at the student’s prepared rhythm and articulation, in one or more of the following keys: G, D, A, C, B-flat, E-flat. Students who play wind, brass, or percussion instruments should also be prepared to play A-flat and E major scales (basically anything up to 4 sharps or flats in the key signature). The scales we ask are specific to your instruments and not “concert pitch.”

After the student plays a requested scale, the student may be asked to play it again with a different rhythm and/or articulation. Advanced musicians may be asked to perform other major and minor scales or arpeggios. Please know that a great majority of the students in our advanced ensembles play all of the major scales and know the minors too. But remember, too, that we welcome younger, less experienced musicians as well!

II. Solo:

Everyone must present a prepared solo or etude, three to four minutes in length, preferably with contrasting tempos and/or styles (no piano accompaniment). We certainly want to hear you play music that is challenging and shows your ability, but whatever you choose should be played well. Because of time limitations, judges may stop students before the end of what the student has prepared. They may also ask that students jump to other sections of the piece.

Young Violinists: As a very general guideline, please know that you should probably be comfortable playing a piece similar to those found in the Suzuki books 3-4 or “Fun with Solos” and that most violin students start in MYSO at the “B” level or equivalent for WSMA solo contests.

Percussionists: Students must present a prepared solo or etude on either the snare drum, xylophone, marimba or timpani (something brief on snare, timpani and a keyboard instrument is best ). It is perfectly OK if you have not yet played these instruments. Come with what you know! Most players do not know all the instruments when they start in MYSO.

III. Sightreading

This is a short section of a piece which you haven't seen that helps judges see how you process “new” printed music.

Seating Auditions (Fall)

Once the MYSO membership is determined in the spring, a "seating" audition is required to determine what parts each musician will play.

Many factors go into assigning parts and placements for the performance year, including age and experience of the musician, ability, and the overall needs of the ensemble. In all cases, placements are made to best ensure the growth of the musician.

Each ensemble has its own requirements for seating auditions.  These requirements are communicated through mailings over the summer (at the latest, by the first week of August).