How to Join the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony

Who is eligible to become a SVYS member?

Any young musician through college, including home-schooled students, who plays an orchestral instrument, including harp and advanced saxophone.

What ensembles are available?

The SVYS program is structured to include players at all levels of ability. Beginning players will be placed in Preparatory Orchestra; intermediate to advanced intermediate players in Concert Orchestra; and advanced players in Symphony Orchestra.

• The Preparatory Orchestra is the entry-level ensemble providing beginning level musicians an opportunity to develop performance skills and experience group participation.  Preparatory Orchestra members should have experience playing scales and repertoire in keys through three sharps and flats. Woodwind and brass players will be required to know the chromatic scale with a variety of articulations. String players in these groups will mainly work in first position but occasionally beyond.

• The Concert Orchestra is the intermediate ensemble.  Concert Orchestra musicians 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 must be able to play in third to at least fifth position, as well as demonstrate vibrato and a variety of bow articulations.

• The Symphony Orchestra is the advanced ensemble. Symphony Orchestra musicians should have experience playing scales and repertoire in all keys. Woodwind and brass players must 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 must also demonstrate advanced bowing skills and clef-reading ability, where applicable. Percussionists with a piano background are preferred; students must demonstrate snare and mallet techniques.

Are auditions required?

Yes. Auditions are conducted at the beginning of each academic year. New members may audition to join during the second semester in January. See the SVYS home page or call the SVYS office for audition dates and locations.

Auditions will be no more than seven minutes in length and will consist of:

• Scales: Students should play as many octaves as they are able. Woodwind and brass players will be expected to demonstrate their ability on chromatic scales as well. See the entry level performance requirements above for details of which scales will be required to qualify for each ensemble

• Solos: Two prepared solos of contrasting styles: one must be technical in nature to demonstrate your facility on the instrument and the other must be lyrical to illustrate your musicality. The solos do not need to be memorized, and no accompanist is allowed. Students must provide the judges with a copy of the music for each piece.

• Sight-reading: Advanced students will be asked to sight-read rhythms and melodies as well as demonstrate their knowledge of scales and ability to tune their instrument. Beginning students will not be required to sight read.

How are musicians placed?

The SVYS music director will use his or the adjudicators' impartial audition evaluations to place players in the various orchestras based on ability, age and SVYS' instrumentation needs. The following criteria will be used for acceptance and placement in the SVYS program:

• Prepared Pieces: musicality, note and rhythmic accuracy, intonation, technique, tone and performance quality
• Scales: accuracy, range/number of octaves, evenness of tempo and quality of preparation
• Sight Reading: musicality, intonation, rhythm and evenness of tempo

Previous participation in SVYS does not guarantee placement. The Music Director is responsible for all ensemble placements and seatings, and his decisions are final.

What is the cost to join?

There is a non-refundable audition fee of $5.00, due at the time of the audition. The SVYS yearly tuition is $100.00 for the first family member and $75.00 for each additional member, and is due by the date of the first rehearsal.

You may obtain the SVYS student application form online in two formats:

PDF File (Requires Acrobat Reader to view and print. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded from Adobe here.)

Display the form and print directly from your browser.

Are there affiliated groups?

In 2004 a group of parents and the SVYS began a number of Starter Strings programs. Auditions are not required to join these groups. Information is available at the schools at the beginning of the year. Please contact SVYS for more information.

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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