Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony
Member Handbook

Orchestra Placement Performance Skills

The following are approximate playing proficiency levels necessary for placement into each of the respective orchestras:

Symphony Orchestra

• Scales (memorized) in major keys four flats through four sharps; and in minor keys of A, E, D (violins, basses and winds); A, G, D (violas, cellos).
• Strings completed Suzuki Book 5 or playing intermediate etudes and repertoire. Upper positions and shifting required.
• Winds: chromatic scale, full range on the instrument.
• Rhythmic reading: functional understanding of all simple and compound meters.
• Sight-reading: Grade III/IV orchestral literature.

Concert Orchestra

• Scales (memorized) in major keys of C, G, D, A, F, B-flat, E-flat (all instruments)
• Strings into traditional Method Book 3 or Suzuki Book 3, Intermediate positions and shifting.
• Winds: chromatic scales, l octave minimum.
• Rhythmic reading: add 6/8 meter and sixteenth notes.
• Sight-reading: Grade II orchestra literature.

Preparatory Orchestra

• Scales (memorized) in major keys of C, G, D, A.
• Completed traditional method book 1 or playing Bach minuets from Suzuki Book 1.
• Rhythmic reading: 4/4. 3/4, 2/4 meters, whole, dotted half, half, quarter, eighth notes and rests and ties.
• Slurring groups of 2 or 3.
• Sight-reading: grade I orchestra literature.

Junior Strings

• Introductory familiarity with your instrument and music reading.

Starter Strings

• This group consists of beginning students, and no previous instrumental experience is required.