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Audition information for the 2009-2010 Season

More entrance auditions to be held in August

-Auditioning for all instruments-

August 23, 2009

To schedule an audition time, a completed application along with the $20 non-refundable application fee must be received by our office (no auditions will be scheduled over the phone). This can be completed online or by downloading, filling out, and mailing this form. Once received, a confirmation letter with your audition date and time will be sent to you.

When will auditions be?
The afternoon of Sunday, August 23 at Mt. View United Methodist Church, 355 Ponca Place, Boulder Auditions will be by appointment.

How can I sign up?
The prefered method of applying is through this website. An online application form is available here. Each audition requires a $20 audition fee. Students already in the Sinfonietta who wish to move up to the Chamber Strings or Symphony must audition; the fee for this audition is only $10.

What general age level is each orchestra? What if my skill level is higher or lower than my age group?
Sinfonietta: late elementary school through middle school
Chamber Strings: middle school through high school
Symphony: high school

Students will be placed according to ability; the age groupings are guidelines.
The Chamber Strings, conducted by Emily Bowman, will be a new ensemble to HPYS starting with the Fall of 2009. It will serve as a bridge between the Sinfonietta and the Symphony, focusing on developing technical skills while enhancing musical expression and artistry. This concert season, the Chamber Strings will rehearse and perform with the Sinfonietta, as the Chamber Sinfonietta.

What will the audition consist of?
Each 10-minute audition will include the following:
Scales
Prepared piece
Sightreading

Concert dates for 2009-2010
Sunday, November 15, 2009, 2pm
Sunday, February 21, 2010, 2pm
Friday, April 30, 2010, 7pm

Rehearsal times:
Regular rehearsals are held Mondays at Mountain View Methodist Church, 355 Ponca Place in Boulder.
The Chamber Sinfonietta will rehearse from 5:00-6:15pm
The Chamber Strings will continue rehearsal until 6:30pm
The Symphony will rehearse 6:45-8:45pm

The HPYS Mission:
To inspire and challenge advanced young musicians in a dynamic orchestra focused on creating a musical experience of the highest artistic level.

HPYS and School Music Programs
HPYS leadership endorses and supports music education in public and private schools. All students in the HPYS Symphony, Chamber Strings, and Sinfonietta are expected to actively participate in their school music programs and individual lessons. School music programs provide invaluable opportunities for students to participate in a multitude of musical experiences, such as All-State Orchestra, CU Honor Band, Colorado Music Educators Conference, outreach performances, and school sponsored theater productions. School music programs also teach students important lessons about leadership and camaraderie, and instill in them the understanding of and respect for diversity.
HPYS does not replace or function as a substitute for these experiences, but rather complements them. School music education, individual lessons from expert teachers and HPYS, in combination, provide young aspiring musicians with the comprehensive musical training that will help them discover, reach and realize their highest potential.

Basic Audition Guidlines
The auditioning committee will consider musicianship and technical proficiency.

Technical proficiency
Intonation, Rhythm, Facility

Musicianship/Phrasing
Ability to shape musical phrases
Concept of sound/tone quality
Use and application of vibrato (not valid for clarinets and horns)
Application of dynamic contrasts
Command of articulation

Repertoire
Scales: Demonstrate best concept of pitch and tone. Scales will be selected by the student
Solo: Strings: three minute solo or solo excerpt of their choice which best demonstrates the musician's musical and technical abilities. It may be an excerpt from a longer solo. This must be played without accompaniment. Memorization is optional.
Winds: two solos or solo excerpts of their choice which best demonstrate musical and technical abilities. Each solo should be two to three minutes long, one in a fast tempo and one in a slow tempo. Must be played without accompaniment. Memorization is optional.
Sight Reading: the audition committee will provide short sight reading passages.

Dress
The audition is a form of an interview; please dress appropriately for the occasion.

Notification and more info
All applicants will be notified of the results of their audition by email. This process may take up to one month. Please do not call the HPYS office for results. If accepted into one of the orchestras, students will be sent enrollment information.

Tuition for 2009-2010
The tuition for Symphony and Sinfonietta will remain the same for next season as it was this season ($460 for Symphony, $360 for Sinfonietta). The Chamber Strings tuition is to be determined.

For more details about audition materials and expectations, please click here.

Audition application form

Click here for our application form.

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