Youth Orchestra of the Rockies

: Auditions

2010-'11 Applications

Symphony Requirements

2009-'10 Excerpts

Concert Orchestra Requirements

Tuition and Policies

Concert Attire

Attendance Policy

Support YOR

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Auditions for the 2010-'11 Season

For a list of the 2009-10 Symphony and Concert Orchestra members, please visit the Ensembles page.

Applications for the 2010-'11 season are now being accepted, and are due April 7th.
Openings are available for all instruments in the Symphony Orchestra as well as the Concert Orchestra (and the Concert Orchestra is also accepting applications for wind and brass players).
Auditions will take place on April 24th for winds, brass, and percussion and on May 1st for strings.

Click here to download a Scholarship Application.

How to sign up for an audition:

If you would like to audition, fill out the Application Form and mail to YOR (Youth Orchestra of the Rockies,
P.O. Box 270396, Fort Collins, CO 80527), and you will be contacted by our audition coordinator, Bobbie Mielke (RRMIELKE@aol.com), to schedule your audition.
Applicants qualify for participation in the orchestra through live auditions, which are conducted once a year in the spring and then as needed to fill in open seats throughout the year. Symphony Orchestra spring auditions are blind (Concert Orchestra auditions are not), and applicants will receive results within one week of their audition.
Judging is based on intonation, rhythmic accuracy, the quality of tone, general musicianship, and stylistic understanding.
Applicants must be enrolled in their school's instrumental music program. Exceptions are made for students from districts with no orchestra program and those who are home schooled.

About blind auditions:
Blind auditions are a common practice in most professional orchestras. The Youth Orchestra of the Rockies holds blind auditions in the spring to allow young musicians the opportunity to build confidence in their auditioning skills. In a blind audition, a screen is placed between the auditioning musician and the judges. The musician is directed by the proctor to refrain from speaking during the audition to maintain anonymity. For YOR, only the Symphony Orchestra auditions are blind.

Symphony Orchestra Audition Requirements

One major and one minor scale played in 16th notes in a slur pattern at quarter note = 42
Winds: 2 octave minimum, Strings: 3 octave minimum.
Turns and patterns of 1 8th-note, 6 16th-notes are allowed.
Three minutes of a solo of choice with no accompaniment; the three minutes should contain contrasting material (for example, a lyrical section and a technical section), and the applicant may skip to a different section of a movement or to a different movement.
Excerpts will be provided by YOR upon receipt of application. They are chosen by experts in each instrument, and are on a level commensurate with that of the Colorado All-State High School Orchestra (see below).
Sight-reading excerpts (provided at the audition)

Excerpts for YOR Symphony Orchestra Auditions (Right-click to save)

Violin (download excerpts - 73 kb)
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6 "Pastoral," Movement II - pickup to 1 before Rehearsal G to H
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4, Movement IV - Rehearsal D to 18 after D

Viola (download excerpts - 67 kb)
BERLIOZ Roman Carnival Overture - pickup to 2 after Rehearsal 1 to Rehearsal 3
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4, Movement IV - Rehearsal D to 18 after D

Cello (download excerpts - 64 kb)
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5, Movement II - beginning to m. 11 and pickup to m. 50 to m. 59
MOZART Symphony No. 40, Movement I - pickup to 19 before Rehearsal C to C

Bass (download excerpts - 64 kb)
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4, Movement I - 4 after Rehearsal B to 3 before Rehearsal C
MENDELSSOHN The Hebrides Overture "Fingal's Cave" - Rehearsal G to 17 after G

Flute (download excerpts - 69 kb)
RAVEL Daphnis et Chloe, Suite No. 2 - 3 after Rehearsal 176 to 6 after 177
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 4 "Italian," Movement IV - m. 6 to m. 22

Oboe (download excerpts - 64 kb)
BRAHMS Concerto for Violin, Movement II - m. 3 to m. 32
MOZART "Così fan tutte" Overture - m. 33 to m. 38, m. 125 to m. 133, and m. 182 to m. 186

Clarinet (download excerpts - 64 kb)
TCHAIKOVSKY - Symphony No. 5, Movement I - beginning to m. 20
BERNSTEIN - Overture to Candide - pickup to m. 263 to end

Bassoon (download excerpts - 66 kb)
BIZET "Carmen" Entr'acte to Act II, beginning to m. 28
MOZART "Le Nozze di Figaro" Overture - m. 139 to m. 164

Horn (download excerpts - 67 kb)
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5, Movement II - pickup to m. 8 to m. 23
BRAHMS Symphony No. 4, Movement I - pickup to 13 after Rehearsal G to 5 after H

Trumpet (download excerpts - 63 kb)
BRAHMS Academic Festival Overture - pickup to m. 64 to m. 88
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5, Movement I - Rehearsal 27 to 29

Bass Trombone / Tenor Trombone (download excerpts - 57 kb)
Bass: SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5, Movement I - 5 before Rehearsal 110 to 7 after 111
Tenor: TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4, Movement IV - 9 after Rehearsal A to 22 after A

Tuba (download excerpts - 65 kb)
WAGNER "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" Overture - Rehearsal K to L
HINDEMITH Symphonic Metamorphoses, Movement II - 4 before Rehearsal N to O

Percussion (download excerpts - 71 kb)
Timpani: BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7, Movement I - m. 89 to m. 110
Snare: PROKOFIEV "Lieutenant Kijé" Suite, Movement I - Rehearsal 13 to end
Xylophone: SHOSTAKOVICH "The Golden Age" Suite, No. 3 "Polka" - m. 6 to m. 14

Harp (download excerpts - 89 kb)
SAINT-SAËNS Danse Macabre - Rehearsal D to m. 189
TCHAIKOVSKY "The Nutcracker," Waltz of the Flowers - m. 3 to m. 33

Concert Orchestra Audition Requirements

One major and one minor scale, two octaves, in a key of up to three sharps or flats.
Turns and patterns of 1 8th-note, 6 16th-notes are allowed.
Two minutes of a solo of the applicant's choice, with no accompaniment. The solo should be at the minimum of the Suzuki level 2 book, except for violin, which should be at least level 3.
Sight-reading excerpts (provided at the audition)
please note: all violinists need to demonstrate fundamental shifting technique and the minimum ability to function in 1st through 3rd position. Also, the above excerpts are for Symphony Orchestra auditions only.

Tuition and Policies

Tuition for the 2009-2010 season has remained the same as last season, and remains in line with the League of American Orchestra’s recommendation that tuition income should equal one-third of the orchestra’s annual budget. A non-refundable deposit of $50 will be due with the participant's letter of intent to participate; the deposit will be applied toward tuition.

Tuition for the Spring 2010 half-season is as follows:
Symphony Orchestra: $250
Concert Orchestra: $200

Tuition for the Summer 2010 session will be $125.

If tuition is a hardship please contact the executive director at 970-310-7998 to arrange payments, or you are encouraged to apply for a full or partial scholarship by sending your Scholarship Application in advance of the first rehearsal to YOR, PO Box 270396, Fort Collins, CO 80527. Applications may also be scanned and emailed to YOR@fortnet.org. Please contact the executive director with any questions.

In addition, every person auditioning must pay a $15 non-refundable fee. This fee is due with your application. Concerto competition applicants require an additional $15 at the time of application.

Concert Attire
Women: 3/4 to full-length black skirt or dress with 3/4 length or long-sleeved top, black hose and black dress shoes. Tops should completely cover midriff section.
Men: Black tuxedo or comparable suit, black bow tie, white dress shirt, black socks and black dress shoes.

Attendance Policy
Making music in a symphony orchestra is a team effort that requires passionate commitment and dedication. To ensure the quality of our team, but also allow members some flexibility to pursue other opportunities and family needs, we have developed this policy:

Attendance at all performances, dress rehearsals, retreats and sectionals is mandatory. A significant reason is required to be excused from mandatory events. This excuse must be given in writing to the check-in person, or e-mail the Executive Director, and discussed and agreed upon in advance with the Music Director. Do not give absence forms to the Music Director. Photocopy and use the form at the back of this handbook.
Otherwise, members are allowed two (2) absences per semester from regular rehearsals, provided:

Members give advanced notice in writing (use form in Handbook). This excuse must be given in writing to the check-in person, or e-mail the Executive Director. Do not give absence forms to the Music Director.
We need to be informed as soon as the member is aware of the need for absence, and no less than a week.
Members are encouraged to invite a friend who is a qualified player to fill for that rehearsal.

For illness and emergencies, please give as much notice as possible.
Tardiness is counterproductive to the orchestra's progress. Therefore, the following procedures will be enforced:

Tardiness is defined as not being tuned and ready to play at rehearsal start.
One tardiness will be counted as one quarter absence.
Unscheduled early departure will be counted as one quarter absence.
The rehearsal aide will track tardiness records.

The Music Director may audition musicians on any of the music covered at the missed rehearsal. Seating and part assignments may be impacted by this audition. The Music Director reserves the right to waive the audition if the member has a history of solid commitment and high level of musical preparation.
An orchestra member’s membership may be reviewed in the event of excessive absences, or in the case of any unexcused absence or excessive tardiness. Seating and part assignment may be impacted by this review.