AUDITION INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS
For the EYSO 2011-12 Concert Season
You can download a copy of the 2011-12 season requirements
HERE
About the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra
EYSO is comprised of 6 ensembles and the Chamber Music Institute (CMI), each with their own requirements.
- Primo: training string ensemble for beginning players with little auditioning experience
- Prelude Orchestra: string orchestra for beginning to early intermediate level students
- Sinfonia: full orchestra for intermediate level students
- Philharmonia: full orchestra for intermediate and advanced students
- Youth Symphony: full orchestra for advanced students
- Brass Choir: includes brass musicians in Youth Symphony, Philharmonia, and additional strong brass students
- Chamber Music Institute (open to both EYSO and non-EYSO members): provides an opportunity to work closely with professional coaches in groups of 3-5 students.
Respective requirements for each ensemble are below. Please observe the minimum age and/or grade requirements
for each ensemble.
The Audition Application
Auditions for the 2011-12 season have ended.
Please check again soon for the 2012-2013 season application.
What to Prepare
- Solo Repertoire
Prepare two contrasting selections totaling 2-3 minutes: one should be faster and more technical in nature to
demonstrate your facility on the instrument and the other should be slower and more lyrical to illustrate your musicality
and expressively. Selections may include solo literature, etudes or appropriate orchestral excerpts. Choose these
selections carefully with guidance from your instrumental teacher, as they must show your abilities on the instrument.
Selections that are beyond or beneath your skill level will not enhance your audition results. Selections do not need to
be memorized. No accompanist is required. Please bring two photocopies of each piece for the adjudicators'
reference. Harp and piano players are requested to call the EYSO Administrative Office (847-841-7700) for audition
requirements.
- Scales
Every audition will include a demonstration of your knowledge of scales. For specific information, see the requirements
on the following page.
- Sight reading
Every audition will include appropriate-level sight reading of rhythms and orchestral excerpts.
The Day of Your Audition
Please arrive at Elgin Community College Visual and Performing Arts Center at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
You will register at the check-in desk, receive your audition room assignment, and have a chance to warm-up. Your audition will
be approximately ten minutes in length.
Student placement in EYSO ensembles is competitive and ranked in order of artistic quality. Those qualities include: superiority of tone, technical ability, intonation, vibrato, dynamic contrast, range, articulation, musicality, phrasing, rhythmic skill, artistic expression, style, and overall accuracy. Meeting the requirements of an orchestra does not guarantee placement.
