TCSYO’s entry-level string orchestra offers the chance to enjoy making music with other young musicians from throughout area. The group includes a full complement of string instruments playing independent parts. Designed for students who have had limited orchestral experience and who are working on mastering their reading ability. Students should be comfortable playing in first position the keys of G and D. This ensemble builds solid, fundamental rhythmic and orchestral skills including improved sight-reading abilities.
Audition Requirements
1. Scale requirement- violin, viola and cello - scale of your choice, two octaves
- bass - scale of your choice, one octave
2. Solo piece
All candidates must prepare a solo piece of their choice. The selection should accurately represent overall musicianship. Please provide the judging panel with a copy of your solo piece, and be prepared to play different sections in your piece at the judges request. No accompanists, please.
Suggested Material: Suzuki Books 1 and 2.
3. Sight-reading
Conducted by Ms. Diana ChouMiddle School level
Rehearses Tuesdays 7:00-8:30 pm
Musicians in TCSYO’s String Ensemble develop a higher level of stylistic refinement and expressive detail, while playing a wide variety of repertoire in a nurturing and fun environment. Designed for students who have had orchestral experience and who have mastered their reading skills. All students should have basic note-reading skills, including the ability to identify pitch names and play various rhythms. Students will work in sectionals with professional coaches who are among the finest performers and teachers in the area.
Audition Requirements
1. Scale requirement- violin, viola and cello - scale of your choice, two octaves
- bass - scale of your choice, one octave
2. Solo piece
All candidates must prepare a solo piece of their choice. The selection should accurately represent overall musicianship. Please provide the judging panel with a copy of your solo piece, and be prepared to play different sections in your piece at the judges request. No accompanists, please.
Suggested Material: Suzuki Books 2 and 3.
3. Sight-reading
Chamber Orchestra
Conducted by Dr. Cheri Collins
Ages 10-16
Rehearses Tuesdays 7:00-9:30pm
The most advanced of TCSYO’s three string orchestras offers the opportunity to perform great masterpieces of string repertoire, from the Baroque era to today. Designed for intermediate to advanced string students with 3 or more years of experience. This string orchestra focuses on cross-listening between sections, blend and balance, expressing various styles of music, and pursuing detailed, mature music making. Musicians are introduced to a variety of bowing techniques and historical styles, while also developing more advanced control of rubato, phrasing and expression. Students will work in sectionals with professional coaches who are among the finest performers and teachers in the area.
Audition Requirements
1. Scale requirementViolin & Viola- one major AND one minor scale of your choice, three octaves
Cello - one major AND one minor scale of your choice, two octaves
Bass - one major AND one minor scale of your choice, two (continuous) octaves
2. Solo requirement
A solo of your choice. This solo should be representative of your overall musical and technical ability. Solos should be 1 minute in length only. Please provide a Xerox copy for the panel of judges and conductors.
4. Sight-reading
Don’t neglect practicing sight reading pieces you are unfamiliar with to help prepare for this part of the audition.
Symphonic Orchestra
Conducted by Dr. Cheri Collins
Ages 14-18
Rehearses Mondays 7:00-9:30 pm
TCSYO’s most advanced orchestra is comprised of the very best young musicians in the Washington, DC area. The TCSYO Symphonic Orchestra performs professional-level repertoire in premier venues at home and abroad. Comprised of outstanding players whose technical level is highly advanced, who show strong musicality and musicianship and who are capable of the discipline necessary to perform at the highest level. This ensemble is dedicated to performing the finest works in the full symphonic repertoire. In addition to the full orchestra rehearsals the students will work in sectionals with professional coaches who are among the finest performers and teachers in the area. Weekly rehearsals during the school year are carried out under professional standards. Members are expected to take private lessons and maintain leadership responsibilities in their school ensembles.
Learning professional responsibility is an important part of the TCSYO’s program for musical excellence. Members are required to prepare, to arrive promptly, and to attend all rehearsals. Seating is generally rotational, although there are opportunities to audition for principal positions through-out the season.
Audition Requirements
1. Scale requirementWoodwind/Brass -
Slur ascending, tongued descending (except trombones and percussion).
Instruments play their chromatic scale in sixteenth notes at the tempo given below. Quarter note = one beat
- Piccolo: D below staff to altissimo C (2 octaves + 7th) MM = 120
- Flute: C below staff to altissimo C (3 octaves) MM = 120
- Oboe: C below staff to E above high C (2 octaves + 3rd) MM = 120
- English Horn: C below staff to D above staff (2 octaves + 2nd) MM = 120
- Bassoon: Bb below staff to high Bb one octave above staff MM = 96
- Bb Clarinet: E below staff to G above high C (3 octaves + 3rd) MM = 120
- Bass Clarinet: E below staff to C above the staff (2 octaves + 6th) MM = 120
- Trumpet: G below staff to C above staff (2 octaves + 4th) MM = 120
- Horn: F below staff to Bb above staff MM = 120
- Tenor Trombone: Low F to 4th ledger line Bb (2 octaves + 5th) legato tongue ascending, staccato tongue descending. MM = 96
- Bass Trombone: C below staff to F above staff (2 octaves + 5th) legato tongue ascending, staccato tongue descending. MM = 96
- Tuba: Lowest F to highest Bb (2 octaves + 4th) MM = 112
2. Solo requirement (for strings only)
A concerto (or excerpt from a concerto) of your choice. This solo should be representative of your overall musical and technical ability. Solos should be less than 2 minute in length only. Please provide one Xerox copy for the panel of judges and conductors.
4. Sight-reading
All candidates will be asked to sight-read from standard orchestral repertoire. Don’t neglect practicing sight reading pieces you are unfamiliar with to help prepare for this part of the audition.
Percussion Ensemble
Conducted by Dr. David Wolf
Ages 14-18
Rehearses Mondays 7:00-9:30 pm
The energetic TCSYO Percussion Ensemble has a longtime tradition of delighting enthusiastic audiences each season. All TCSYO percussionists come together each Monday evening from 7:00-9:30 to rehearse an array of exciting percussion works.
Audition Requirements
- Scales (performed on xylophone)
Major Scales: From all 12 major scales, you will be asked to play two scales from memory (2 octave 8th note format), tempo MM = 160.
Chromatic Scale: 3 octaves C-C, 16th note rhythm, MM = 144, from memory.
- Rudiments
You will be asked to play two rudiments from the following list:
Flam, Flam Tap, Flam Accent, Flamacue, Drag, Single Drag Tap, Double Drag Tap, Lesson 25,
Single Ratamacue
- Excerpts HERE
Snare Drum - Whaley, Etude #6
Tambourine - Berlioz, "Roman Carnival Overture"
Glockenspiel - Dukas, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”
Xylophone - Kabalevsky, “Colas Breugnon”
Timpani - Tchaikovsky, “Symphony No. 5, Mov. 1”
