How to Join the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony
Who is eligible to become a SVYS member?
Any young musician including home-schooled students, who plays an orchestral instrument, including harp and advanced saxophone.
Everyone must audition each season regardless of previous SVYS participation. Because SVYS five orchestras range from beginning to pre-professional, we have a high placement rate for students of all abilities.
When are auditions?
Auditions are held each year in the Fall and in January. The next audition dates are September 1st- September 4th 2009. Second-semester auditions (for new students only) will be held on January 13th and 14th. 2010.
Where are the auditions?
Hoogland
Center
for the Arts
420 South Sixth Street
Springfield
,
IL
62701
What about winter auditions?
Second-semester auditions (for new students only) will be held on January 13th and 14th. 2010. In January SVYS will audition ALL instruments! Note: SVYS students participating in the fall semester are not eligible to re-audition for the second semester.
How do I apply?
1) Call the SVYS office at 217-753-8000 OR email svys@ymail.com. Audition times are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
2) You will receive a confirmed audition time via email or phone.
Who conducts the auditions?
Auditions are heard by professional musicians including SVYS Music Director and generally one other adjudicator.
What should I prepare for the audition?
There are three components for every audition are: solo, scales, and sight-reading. Be sure to read the Orchestra Overview below and consult your private teacher.
1. Solo
Prepare one unaccompanied selection (or two shorter selections) displaying your technical and expressive facility. Choose your selection with guidance from your instrumental teacher. The music should show what you can do well. Bring one additional copy of your piece for the adjudicators' reference. Solos need not be memorized.
2. Scales
All musicians will be asked to perform scales, ideally from memory.
3. Sight-reading
You will be asked to look at and play musical excerpts from orchestral repertoire. Prepare by sight-reading new material every day!
Percussionists:
Based on the three basic audition requirements listed above, percussionists will be asked to demonstrate their scales on bells, xylophone or Marimba, play a solo piece on any percussion instrument, and sight-read on snare drum, mallet instruments and/or timpani. All percussionists will be asked to demonstrate proficiency on the snare drum. Musicians must bring their own snare drum and mallets. Four timpani, bells, and marimba will be provided.
How are musicians placed?
All qualified students will be offered placement in the appropriate SVYS orchestra as space permits. SVYS’ artistic staff will use the criteria listed in the audition requirements for acceptance and placement in the SVYS program. Orchestra placements are primarily based on ability, not on age or prior SVYS participation. All placements are final and previous participation in SVYS does not guarantee placement.
When should I arrive for my audition?
Be sure to arrive at the audition site at least 20 minutes prior to your scheduled time so that you may register, receive your audition room assignment and warm up. Neat dress is appreciated!
How long is an audition?
String, woodwind and brass auditions last approximately seven minutes in length; percussion auditions are approximately fifteen minutes.
When will I receive my results?
Placement results for the Fall Auditions will be announced by mail only the week of September 6th, 2009. Placement results for the Winter Auditions will be sent by mail during the week of January 14th, 2010. Please do not call or e-mail for results.
What does it cost to be in SVYS?
A $5 application fee (non-refundable and not applicable to tuition) is due with the Audition Application. Fees for tuition are included in the Orchestra Overview below. Tuition for new students joining at second semester is pro-rated. SVYS no longer offers sibling discounts.
Is financial aid available?
Need-based financial aid is available. We are committed to serving talented, dedicated students, regardless of financial constraints. Please call the office at 217-753-8000 for more information.
Orchestra Overview
Rehearsals
Rehearsals begin September 14, 15 and 16th 2009 and run through early May. Locations subject to change.
What ensembles are available?
The SVYS program is structured to include players at all levels of ability.
Starter Strings Class – Various Conductors TBA
Rehearsals: Date/Time Dependant Upon School Schedule
Tuition: $100 plus book and instrument rental
NO AUDITION IS REQUIRED FOR STARTER STRINGS!
SVYS entry-level, strings only orchestra. The Starter Strings program is designed to introduce the student to the Violin, Viola, Cello or bass. NO previous skills are required. We hope that, after completing the programs students will study privately or in a group setting and will audition for the other orchestras in the SVYS program the following year.
Junior Strings –Conductor TBA
Rehearsals: Wednesday 4:30 – 5:15 or 5:30 – 6:15pm at Hoogland Center for the Arts
Tuition: $115.00
The Junior Strings is the entry-level string only orchestra ensemble providing beginning level musicians an opportunity to develop performance skills and experience group participation.
Preparatory Orchestra – Richard A. Haglund, conductor
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 5:30pm – 6:30pm at
Hoogland
Center
for the Arts
Tuition: $115.00
The Preparatory Orchestra is the ensemble providing younger musicians an opportunity to develop performance skills and experience group participation. Preparatory Orchestra members ideally should have experience playing scales and repertoire in keys through three sharps and flats. Woodwind and brass players should know the chromatic scale with a variety of articulations. String players in these groups will mainly work in first position but occasionally beyond.
Concert Orchestra - Richard A. Haglund, conductor
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 6:45 - 8:15pm at
Hoogland
Center
for the Arts
Tuition: $140.00
The Concert Orchestra is the intermediate ensemble. Concert Orchestra musicians ideally should have experience playing scales and repertoire in keys through four sharps and flats. Woodwind and brass players must display an intermediate level of proficiency in range and rhythmic complexity, as well as finger, breath and embouchure control. String players should be able to play in third to at least fifth position, as well as demonstrate vibrato and a variety of bow articulations.
Symphony Orchestra - Richard A. Haglund, conductor
Rehearsals: Mondays, 7:00 - 9:00pm at
Hoogland
Center
for the Arts
Tuition: $165.00
The Symphony Orchestra is the advanced ensemble. Symphony Orchestra musicians should have experience playing scales and repertoire in all keys. Woodwind and brass players should be able to demonstrate advanced accuracy of scales, clef reading, and transpositions, where applicable. String players should be proficient in all scales through at least three octaves and play fluently through at least fifth position. They should also demonstrate advanced bowing skills and clef-reading ability, where applicable. Percussionists should demonstrate snare and mallet techniques.
What is the concert schedule like?
Concerto Competition - Open to all SVYS students
January 18/19 (prelims) and February 6th (finals)
Hoogland
Center
for the Arts
Winter Festival Concert - All ensembles
Saturday, December 5th at 1:30pm
First
United
Methodist
Church
Holiday Concerts – some ensembles
SVYS has in the past participated in concert with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra on their
Holiday
pops concert. Additionally there have been “play along” opportunities at White Oaks Mall.
Spring Festival Concert - All ensembles
Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 1:30pm
First
United
Methodist
Church
You may obtain the SVYS student application form online in two formats:
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PDF File (Requires Acrobat Reader to view and print. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded from Adobe here.) |
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Display the form and print directly from your browser. |
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Are there affiliated groups?
In January, 2006, the Sangamon Valley Community Orchestra was formed for adult ameteur musicians. Rehearsals are held every Wednesday during the academic year at the Hoogland Center for the Arts from 7-9 pm. No auditions are required. Contact Mr. Haglund for more information.
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