2008/2009 Audition Information

Click here for an application.

• Four orchestra levels open to ages five through 21
• Excellent instruction from professional conductors and section coaches
• An exciting collaboration of advanced and dedicated student musicians from across the greater Houston area
• Preparation for majoring in music, entering the music profession, or enjoying music as a lifelong avocation
• Performances in some of Houston's finest concert halls
• A wide range of repertoire from different periods and styles
• Highlights of the past few seasons include symphonies by Brahms, Dvorak, Mahler, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky and Sibelius as well as music by Holst, Mozart, Prokofiev, Respighi, Ravel and Wagner

Orchestra Descriptions

The Symphony, conducted by artistic director Dr. Michael Webster, is a full-sized symphony orchestra of approximately 100 members and is geared towards the advanced player. Repertoire includes music on the university and professional levels. Sectionals explore the interpretive and more complex aspects of orchestral music. Winners of the annual Concerto Competition are featured in concert with the Symphony orchestra.

The Philharmonia, conducted by Mr. Cristian Macelaru, is a full-sized symphony orchestra of approximately 100 members and is geared towards the intermediate/advanced player. Literature choices are designed to expose students to a diversified selection of orchestral music. Sectionals allow students to focus on challenges specific to their instruments. Winners of the annual Concerto Competition are featured in concert with the Philharmonia orchestra.

The Sinfonietta, conducted by Mr. Michael Isadore, is a classical-sized orchestra geared towards intermediate string and wind players. It builds upon techniques learned in the String Orchestra and offers younger wind players an entry-level orchestra experience. The Sinfonietta taps the portion of the broad chamber orchestra repertoire from Baroque to contemporary appropriate to the students' level of development.

The String Orchestra, co-conducted by Ms. Carolyn Vandiver and Ms. Ann Victor provides entry level string players with a comprehensive ensemble experience. Literature is selected to broaden repertoire and learn more advanced techniques when following a conductor. Members also learn how to utilize specific bowing techniques such as spiccato, staccato, hooked bowings and legato.

Return to top

Attendance Policy

Attendance at all rehearsals is expected. Specific rules and guidelines are contained in our handbook which is given to students when they accept a position in Houston Youth Symphony.

Click here for the 2008/2009 Season Schedule.

Fees and Tuition

Financial Aid

School Participation

Return to top

Audition Information

Students must audition each season regardless of previous participation in Houston Youth Symphony. Prior participation in an Houston Youth Symphony orchestra does not guarantee placement. Students are evaluated on the basis of their audition performance and placed in the appropriate orchestra. Students are placed according to ability, not age. Expectations are high and students must be ready to meet the challenges that come with playing great symphonic literature.

• The audition takes approximately ten minutes.
• Depending on which orchestra you are auditioning for, you must prepare either one or two contrasting solo pieces, unaccompanied.
• Bring copies of your solo pieces for the adjudicator.
• Specific requirements are listed below.
• Notification of acceptance is by mail. Please do not call the office.
• Seating is assigned after the completion of chair testing for each concert cycle.
• Placement is competitive and rank is in order of artistic quality (i.e. superiority of tone, intonation, vibrato, dynamic range, technique and musicality).
• Auditions are closed to parents and the public.

• After you submit the application form and fee, you will be notified of your exact audition time.
• A limited number of players are placed in each section of each orchestra. Most sections are filled in the spring. An August audition date will be held for instruments that are still needed and newcomers to the Houston area.
• If you accept a position in one of our orchestras, be sure that your schedule will allow your full participation. Accepting and then dropping out later jeopardizes opportunities for other deserving musicians.
• Your audition time will not be confirmed until your audition fee of $30/$35 (non-refundable) is paid. Houston Youth Symphony accepts cash, checks and money orders. We do not accept credit cards.

Requirements for Stringed Instruments

Musicians will be required to learn a page of excerpts to play for the audition.

Students wishing to audition for the String Orchestra should play only excerpt #1.

Students auditioning for Sinfonietta should be prepared to play excerpts #1 and #2.

Students auditioning for Philharmonia should be prepared to play excerpts #2 and #3.

Students wishing to audition for Symphony should be prepared to play excerpts #3 and #4.

Current members wishing to move up to a more advance orchestra must prepare the excerpts appropriate for that orchestra.

Click here to download the audition excerpts.

Violin

Viola

Cello

Bass

In addition to the required excerpts, strings must meet the following requirements of the orchestra for which they are auditioning.

• All students: One prepared piece demonstrating current technical level, producing a full clear tone, two-octave scales through three sharps and flats by memory; vibrato; sight-reading
• Violin, Viola: Proficiency in 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions
• Cello: Knowledge of 1st, 3rd and 4th positions
• Bass: Half, 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions

• All students: In addition to the String Orchestra requirements, two prepared pieces, one slow and one fast, preferably an etude, sonata, or concerto movement (an All-State etude may be used as one selection); fluent reading of 16th-note rhythms in cut time (alla breve), 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 6/8, 3/8 meters; major and natural minor scales in one or two octaves up to three sharps and two flats by memory; sight reading
• Violin, viola: Fluency through 3rd position, proficiency in 4th and 5th position
• Cello: Fluency through 4th position, proficiency in 5th and thumb position
• Bass: Proficiency through 5th position

• All students: In addition to the Sinfonietta requirements, mature string tone and vibrato skills; two prepared pieces, one slow and one fast preferably an etude, sonata, or concerto movement (an All-State etude may be used as one selection); three-octave major and minor scales and arpeggios through four sharps and four flats by memory; sight reading
• Violin, viola: Fluency through 5th position
• Cello: Treble and tenor clef; thumb position
• Bass: Vibrato

• All students: In addition to the Philharmonia requirements, two prepared pieces, one slow and one fast, preferably from major concertos or sonatas by different composers (do not play multiple movements from the same piece or use All-State etudes); three-octave scales and arpeggios by memory with a variety of bowing styles (e.g.: off the string and varied slurs); advanced sight reading
• Violin, viola: Fluency in all position
• Cello: Fluency in advanced tenor and treble clef passages
• Bass: Fluency in tenor clef and thumb position.

Return to top

Requirements for Woodwind, Brass, Percussion and Harp

Sinfonietta

• All students: Two prepared pieces, one slow and one fast, preferably an etude, sonata, or concerto movement (an All-State etude may be used as one selection); well developed embouchure and breath support; an ear for basic intonation; clear articulation; major and natural minor scales in one or two octaves up to three sharps and flats by memory; sight reading
• Flute, horn, trumpet: Rudimentary double tonguing
• Trombone, tuba, harp and percussion: There will be no permanent members on these instruments; parts will be covered by Philharmonia members if required.

• All students: In addition to the requirements of the Sinfonietta, two prepared pieces, one slow and one fast, preferably an etude, sonata or concerto movement (an All-State etude may be used as one selection); all major and natural minor scales in two-octaves by memory; sight reading
• Flute, oboe, bassoon, trumpet: Demonstration of continuous vibrato
• Bassoon, trombone: Working knowledge of tenor clef
• Flute, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba: Demonstration of double and triple tonguing
• Trumpet, horn: Working knowledge of transpositions (trumpet in C, F) and (horn in Eb, D, C)
• Harp: A level equivalent to Sonatinas by Dussek, Tango by Salzedo or Suzuki Harp Book 3; major scales in two octaves: A, Ab, Bb, C, D, E, Eb, F, C
• Percussion: Rolls (5 stroke, buzz, open and closed), flams, paradiddles; intermediate solos for snare drum, mallets and timpani (including re-tuning)

• All students: In addition to the requirements of the Philharmonia, two prepared pieces, one slow and one fast, preferably from major concertos or sonatas by different composers (do not play multiple movements from the same piece or use All-State etudes); all major and minor scales (harmonic or melodic form) and arpeggios in two or three octaves by memory; producing a full, clear tone with solid intonation and musical maturity; advanced sight reading
• Flute, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, tuba: Continuous and musically appropriate vibrato
• Flute, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba: Proficient double and triple tonguing
• Bassoon, trombone: Proficiency in tenor clef
• Trumpet, horn: Proficiency in transposition (trumpet in C, D, E, F) and (horn in C, D, Bb, Eb)
• Trombone: Early stages of reading alto clef
• Harp: A level equivalent to Song in the Night by Salzedo, Sonatina in C Minor by Dussek or Suzuki Book 4; all major and minor scales (harmonic or melodic), two octaves, hands together
• Percussion: All rudiments (snare drum); all major and minor scales (harmonic or melodic) (mallets); advanced solos for snare drum, mallets, timpani (including re-tuning)

Return to top