Audition Requirements

MARIN SYMPHONY YOUTH PROGRAMS 2023-24 SEASON

We hope you’ll join us in your musical journey!


Youth ensemble annual auditions occur each September, with an option to audition mid-year in January.
(FYI: Requirements may be updated for the 23/24 season, so please check back near the audition dates.)

OVERTURE STRING ENSEMBLE

TUITION: Overture $700 (full year)
REHEARSALS: Sundays, 11:30 – 12:45pm
LOCATION: College of Marin, Kentfield; Room PA 75

Program Requirements:
Ages 8-13. Must study privately with a teacher on your orchestral instrument. Click Here for a List of Qualified Private Teachers. We strongly encourage all of our students to participate in their school music programs.

Eligibility guidelines for Overture are:
-Completion of at least one year of study on violin, viola, cello or bass with a private teacher and/or in a school music program.
-Proficiency in reading rhythmic values from whole to eighth notes and rests.
-A basic understanding of accidentals and key signatures and their effect on fingerings.
-Some knowledge of shifting is helpful but not necessary.

Audition Requirements:
In the performance of your solo and excerpts, please skip over rests longer than 2 measures. Count rests less than 2 measures.

1. Scales (do not need to be memorized):
• One major scale in as many octaves as the player is comfortable, followed by the arpeggio.
• One melodic minor scale in as many octaves as comfortable, followed by the arpeggio.

2. Solo piece:
• One solo piece of your choice representing your current abilities, approximately 2-4 minutes in length, unaccompanied. Cuts can be made to include contrasting sections, or play through until the allotted time.

3. Required excerpts:
• TBA closer to auditions dates. String players please follow all bowings that are marked on the music. Your attention to bow direction, use, speed, and technique will count toward your audition results.

4. Sight reading:
• Players will be asked to play a short, simple sight reading excerpt. Sight reading ability will not be a factor considered for entrance into the orchestra but may be a consideration for placement within each section.


 

CRESCENDO ORCHESTRA

TUITION: Crescendo $800 (full year)
REHEARSALS: Sundays, 1:00 – 2:40pm
LOCATION: College of Marin, Kentfield; Room PA 75

Program Requirements:
Ages 10-17. Must study privately with a teacher on your orchestral instrument. Click Here for a List of Qualified Private Teachers. We strongly encourage all of our students to participate in their school music programs.

Audition Requirements:
In the performance of your solo and excerpts, please skip over rests longer than 2 measures. Count rests less than 2 measures.

1. Scales (do not need to be memorized):
• One major scale in as many octaves as the player is comfortable, followed by the arpeggio.
• One melodic minor scale in as many octaves as comfortable, followed by the arpeggio.

2. Solo piece:
• One solo piece of your choice representing your current abilities, approximately 2-4 minutes in length, unaccompanied. Cuts can be made to include contrasting sections, or play through until the allotted time.

3. Required excerpts:
• TBA closer to auditions dates. String players please follow all bowings that are marked on the music. Your attention to bow direction, use, speed, and technique will count toward your audition results.

4. Sight reading:
• Players will be asked to play a short, simple sight reading excerpt. Sight reading ability will not be a factor considered for entrance into the orchestra but may be a consideration for placement within each section.


 

MARIN SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA

TUITION: MSYO $900 (full year)
REHEARSALS: Sundays, 3:00 – 6:00pm
LOCATION: College of Marin, Kentfield; Room PA 75

Program Requirements:
Ages 12-18. Must study privately with a teacher on your orchestral instrument. Click Here for a List of Qualified Private Teachers. We encourage all of our students to participate in their school music programs. Most members in the orchestra have been playing their instrument for four years or longer. Students are required to set aside time outside of rehearsals to learn their music and are strongly urged to work on their parts with private teachers at their teachers’ convenience.

Audition Requirements:
In the performance of your solo and excerpts, please skip over rests longer than 2 measures. Count rests less than 2 measures.

1. Scales:
• One major and one minor scale chosen by the conductor, followed by the arpeggios, in keys of up to four sharps and four flats in as many octaves as possible (3 octaves where possible, 2 octaves otherwise).

2. Solo piece:
• One solo piece of your choice representing your current abilities, approximately 3-5 minutes in length, unaccompanied. Cuts can be made to include contrasting sections, or play through until the allotted time.

3. Required excerpts:
• TBA closer to auditions dates. String players please follow all bowings that are marked on the music. Your attention to bow direction, use, speed, and technique will count toward your audition results.


Contact Andrei Gorchov, Youth Programs Administrator at 415.479.8105 or education@marinsymphony.org.

Marin Symphony Youth Programs

c/o The Marin Symphony
4340 Redwood Highway, Suite 409c
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: 415.479.8105