Audition Info

Auditions for the 2008-9 Season are now being scheduled.  Use the online application or contact the GPYO office at 609-683-0150 for an appointment.

INTERESTED 5TH-12TH GRADERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

There is a $25.00 audition fee due at the audition.

As a guide to costs, tuition for the 2007-2008 season was:

• Symphonic Orchestra $770
• Preparatory Division for Middle Schoolers (String or Wind Ensemble) $550

Symphonic Orchestra Requirements (8th-12th grade)

GPYO's Symphonic Division is open to musicians from 8th grade through college age. Each musician who auditions for the GPYO is expected to demonstrate the highest standards both musical and technically. High school players should be prepared to show a wide variety of articulations through scales.

Strings

1. Solo work of your choice.
2. Scales (major and minor, through four sharps and four flats, in 3 octaves), including major and minor arpeggios.
3. Sight-reading.  All string players should be prepared to demonstrate both a smooth legato as well as spiccato and off-the-string-stroke in the scales, at various speeds.

Strings must demonstrate off-the-string articulation, as well as legato and slurring, and winds should be able to show slurring, staccato, and tonguing, as requested.

Winds and Brass

1. Solo work of your choice.
2. Scales (major, minor, and chromatic, through four flats and sharps, in as many octaves as possible).
3. Sight-reading from the general symphonic repertoire.  All wind players should be prepared to demonstrate both a smooth legato as well as short staccato articulation sound in scales, at various speeds.

Any of the specialized instruments such as Piccolo, English Horn, Bass Clarinet, and Contra-Bassoon may also be heard with as many of the above requirements as possible. An extra audition slot should be requested.

Percussion

1. Snare Drum - Etude from Goldberg: Modern School for Snare Drum, or comparable
2. Timpani - Two Drum Etude, from Goodman: Modern Methods for Timpani, or comparable
3. Demonstation of mallets on xylophone, marimba, etc.

Middle School String & Wind Ensemble Requirements (5th-9th grade)

Middle schoolers will be judged according to their age and their potential to develop.

Strings:

1. Solo work of your choice.
2. Scales, including arpeggios.
   • Violin: G Major and A Major in 3 octaves; C Major in 2 octaves; and a minor in 2 octaves minimum
   • Viola: C Major and D Major in 3 octaves; G Major and d minor in 2 octaves
   • Cello: C Major and D Major in 3 octaves; A Major and d minor in 2 octaves
   • Bass: G, A, E, F Major in 2 octaves
   • Students are expected to play scales with a separate bowing and 4 slurred to a bow.
3. Sight-reading.

Winds:

1. Solo work of your choice.
2. Scales (major and chromatic, as many keys as possible).
3. Sight-reading from a piece provided by the director.