Support MYS through amazon!

MYS Office
503-239-4566 or (from outside of the 503 area code only)
1-888-PLAY MYS
(1-888-752-9697)
Fax 503-239-4426

Current Member Reaudition

Important Audition Facts

All MYS players must re-audition each spring except for current Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band musicians. Those SO and SB members must meet the following requirements:
- The $40.00 NON-refundable registration fee must be paid by May 16, 2009 accompanied by a registration form and updated medical information.
- He/she cannot have had more than 4 absences per concert or a total of 9 absences during the season.
- Must have a private teacher.
- Must be in good standing with their group which includes, good attitude, communication, cooperation and good preparation for all concerts.
All other MYS musicians must download and complete a registration form and mail this with their $40.00 registration fee to the MYS office. MYS will then contact the musician and schedule their audition.current group.
Please review the season's fees and note that we now can take Visa or MasterCard.
Musicians up through college will be auditioned.
Musicians are not guaranteed placement based on last year's assignment.
Woodwinds and brass may call the office for information about auditioning for Jazz.
Orchestral wind and brass positions will be offered to the best applicants in each section.
Symphonic Band musicians who are in Concert Orchestra may audition for Symphony Orchestra. These musicians must schedule an audition time.

DATES

Auditions will be on Saturday, May 30 and June 6 at Beaumont Middle School for returning musicians from Overture Strings, Sousa Band, Concert Band and Interlude. The Saturday slots will fill up quickly so schedule early. Additional auditions for those groups and all other new and returning musicians will continue at Marylhurst University starting on Friday June 12 through Friday, June 19. Please check available audition dates on the online calendar.

Double check the location of your audition, please. St. Catherine's Hall at Marylhurst University (map). From the Marylhurst map, click on "Campus Map". St. Catherine's Hall is letter I on the Campus Map.

COST

Audition fees are $40 per person and nonrefundable, and must be paid 10 days prior to the audition accompanied by completed Registration and Medical forms. No audition time will be scheduled until registration fee and forms are received at the MYS office. Visa or MasterCard may be used. Review the season's fees.

TIMES

For returning auditions, a 6-minute audition time will be assigned. Exact times may vary by instrument.

ADJUDICATORS

The adjudication panel consists of MYS conductors and Portland area professional musicians. This panel will determine the placement of the musicians. The panel's decisions are final. .

Audition Requirements

Photo courtesy of John Rudoff, MD

POSTURE

Posture is part of learning an instrument properly and will be noted at the audition.

SCALES

As appropriate to the player's instrument and level, always demonstrating best tone and vibrato, if appropriate.

winds & brass, 1-2 octaves - 1 major of musician's choice & chromatic, 1 major of panel's choice
Symphony level winds and brass demonstrate a two octave range

strings, 1-3 octaves - 1 major of musician's choice, 1 major of panel's choice, as required by each group:
Overture: Any one octave scale, vibrato not expected
Interlude: C, G, D, A, F, B flat Majors; one octave scales into third position, vibrato is expected
Vivaldi Strings: G, D, A, F, B flat Majors; two octaves scales
Concert Orchestra: E, A, D, G, C, B flat, E flat, A flat Majors; three octave scales for violins, violas, and celli; two octave scales for basses. Demonstrate spiccato and hooked bowing. Show facility in positions one through six.
Symphony Orchestra: All Major scales, all harmonic and melodic minor scales, in three octaves. Show advanced bowing styles, including spiccato. Show facility in all positions.

SOLO

All musicians play a solo of the student's choice no longer than 3 minutes that demonstrates the musician's musical and technical abilities. (It may be an excerpt from a longer solo.) This piece does not need to be memorized and must be played without accompaniment.

Percussionists should prepare a snare drum study and any other additional instrument they wish to demonstrate.

Violinists: If you wish to be considered for Concert Orchestra or Symphony Orchestra, also prepare the Mazas Etude at the marked tempo.

Violinists intending to audition for Concert Orchestra are expected to be able to play up to the first eighth rest, only Page 1 PDF
Violinists intending to audition for Symphony are expected be able to play the entire etude, both Page 1 and Page 2 PDF
Need Adobe Acrobat Reader?

Jazz: Students will have a blind audition (anonymous behind a curtain). They will need to prepare a jazz piece, including either a transcribed solo, or piece they have learned. The will perform a 2 octave chromatic scale. They will sightread. They may improvise if they desire, but it is not required. All students must audition (even returning students).

SIGHT-READING

Sight-reading material will be provided at the audition by the adjudication panel. Expected skill level increases for each higher ensemble.

Specific requirements for:

Concert Orchestra:

Cellists must be able to read and play in tenor clef.
Bassoonists must be able to read and play in tenor clef.
Clarinetists should have basic transposition skills.
Trumpet and Horn players should have basic transposition skills.

Symphony Orchestra:

Violists must be able to read and play in treble clef.
Cellists must be able to read and play in tenor clef.
Bassoonists must be able to read and play in tenor clef.
Clarinetists should have transposition skills.
Trumpet and Horn players MUST have strong transposition skills.

AUDITION TIPS

Help with how to prepare for an audition are in audition tips.

Jump to Top MYS

HOME Sitemap