Auditions

Auditions are in late August or early September at the University of Alaska Music Department. All musicians must audition once a year. Audition pieces and schedules will be posted as they become available.


Audition information is available in August through the Fairbanks Symphony Association Office, 474-5733/5852, or an FYO council member. Musicians are notified with the results of their auditions as soon as possible. Limited auditions are available in January for new players.

Orchestras

The Fairbanks Youth Orchestras consist of three groups: Youth String Orchestra, Youth Concert Orchestra, and Youth Symphony.

All groups meet weekly from September through May on the University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus. Participation in all the FYO ensembles is by audition in the fall. Limited auditions are available in January.

All students are required to attend and participate in scheduled concert performances as a part of their participation in the Fairbanks Youth Orchestra Program. Concert dates will be posted and all members are expected to play the concert. Please note the concert dates before auditioning for the orchestras and make sure that you have no conflicts with those performance dates. If you know that you will not be able to make those concert dates and still want to participate in the orchestras you must notify the conductor at auditions of conflicts with concert dates.

Concert dates for the 2009-2010 season are:
Friendship Day Concert (Youth Symphony only)
October 17, 2009 at 12:00 pm
FYO Winter Concert
    Sunday, December 13th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
FYO Spring Concert
    Saturday, May 16th, 2010 at 4:00 pm




YS Audition Pieces 2009 (.pdf )

Audition requirements

If you are wondering which group to audition for, please read the descriptions of each of the orchestras.

String Orchestra (SO)

1. Play a polished piece.
2. Sight-read.
3. Scales:

Violin Play G Major scale, 2 octaves; another scale, 1 octave
Viola Play C major scale, 2 octaves; another scale, 1 octave
Cello Play C major scale, 2 octaves; another scale, 1 octave
Bass Play 2 scales, 1 octave

Concert Orchestra (CO) and Youth Symphony (YS)

All musicians will need to perform the following regardless of instrument
1. Identify and play a two minute excerpt of a polished piece that demonstrates your technical, tonal, and musical skills.
2. Prepare assigned music for your particular instrument.
3. Sight-read.
4. Scales (see below)

Violin, Viola, and Cello
1. D major scale:
(YS) 3 octaves in 1/16 notes, with a quarter note equal to your choice of speeds from 100 m.m. to 120 m.m.
(CO) 2 octaves in eighth notes, with a quarter note equal to your choice of speeds from 100 m.m. to 120m.m. 3 octaves optional.
2. D minor scale (melodic form), 2 octaves played at the tempo of your choice, detache.

String Bass
1. G major scale:
(YS) 2 octaves in 1/16 notes, with a quarter note equal to 88 m.m.
(CO) 2 octaves in eighth notes, with a quarter note equal to 88 m.m.

Woodwinds and Brass
1. A chromatic scale throughout the range of your instrument in eighth notes, with the quarter note equal to 120 m.m.

Percussion
1. Demonstrate a snare drum roll and other selected rudiments.
2. Demonstrate tympani roll and tuning ability if you wish to be considered for a tympani part.