Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies 2020–21 Video Audition Details: VIOLIN Updated 5/5/2020 Register for your audition at www.gtcys.org/auditions. Questions: katie@gtcys.org NEW! VIDEO AUDITIONS To ensure students’ well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak and to reduce barriers for participation, students will record a video and submit their 2020-21 GTCYS audition online instead of auditioning in person. All GTCYS auditions include two components: 1) Scales and 2) Solo. Students auditioning for Camerata, Concert Orchestra, Philharmonic, or Symphony must also prepare orchestral excerpts. Sight reading is not required for 2020-21 GTCYS auditions. VIDEO RECORDING GUIDELINES

• Recordings can be made with basic equipment, including a smart phone, tablet, or laptop, equipped with a built-in microphone and video camera. High quality recording equipment is NOT necessary. If you do not have access to technology or adequate internet access, please contact us so we can support you.

• While sound quality of submitted videos may vary due to differences in recording equipment, judges will listen for the overall quality of students’ performance and not the quality of recording.

• Recordings must be completed in a single take (no editing or piecing together) in this order: scales, solo, then optional excerpts. Any evidence of video manipulation will disqualify the student’s submission.

• Your instrument and your full person should be visible in the video so judges can assess technique and posture. Please minimize other visual distractions in the video (music stand, etc.).

• One submission per student will be accepted. Multiple submissions from a single student are not allowed unless auditioning on multiple instruments.

• Please review video before submitting to ensure that required components are included and video is properly uploaded.

• Total video length should not exceed 10 minutes. • Video auditions will include a two-step process: 1) Students must register online for an audition, and 2) submit

an audition video through an online portal between May 7 and June 1, 2020.

VIDEO UPLOADING NOTES

• Students must upload their audition video to YouTube. You will need a Google account in order to create a YouTube account. Click here for instructions on how to create an account.

• Audition videos do not need to be uploaded to YouTube until the submission form opens on May 7. However, we encourage students to practice with their recording equipment to resolve any technical difficulties beforehand. We also encourage students to submit their audition video before the June 1 deadline to mitigate any technical difficulties.

• For more details about registration and the video audition submission process, please visit https://www.gtcys.org/auditions/audition-details.

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VIDEO AUDITION CONTENT 1. SCALES (MORE DETAILS ON FOLLOWING PAGE)

• For your audition video, record two scales of your choice: one major scale and one minor scale. You are free to choose which scales, but the difficulty, maturity, and range of your choices will affect scoring.

• Example music for Philharmonia and Sinfonia level scales is provided at www.gtcys.org/auditions/requirements. • Any minor scale form is acceptable (natural, harmonic, or melodic). • See the following page of this document for specific scale and technique recommendations for each orchestra.

2. SOLO • Record one solo that demonstrates your best technical and expressive abilities. This can be drawn from

etudes, solo repertoire, or pieces you have learned through school music programs. • Choose your selection with guidance from your instrumental teacher or ensemble conductor if possible. • Your solo selection must not exceed 5 minutes in length. If your solo or solo movement is longer than 5

minutes, please make musically appropriate cuts.

3. ORCHESTRAL EXCERPTS (CAMERATA, CONCERT ORCHESTRA, PHILHARMONIC, SYMPHONY)

• See the last pages of this guide for specific excerpts to prepare. Choose one set of excerpts, either Set 1: Camerata/Concert Orchestra OR Set 2: Philharmonic/Symphony.

• Perform the entirety of either Set 1 or Set 2. • Consult with your teacher and recordings of excerpts (including videos on YouTube and other streaming

services) to determine the correct style, tempo and phrasing. PLACEMENT

• The primary criterion for placement is the student’s playing, including factors such as sound quality, pitch and rhythmic accuracy, intonation, technique, and expression.

• Other factors such as age or instrumentation needs may be considered as well. • All qualified students are offered placement in the appropriate GTCYS orchestra, space permitting. • Scholarships are available. GTCYS is committed to serving students regardless of financial constraints, especially

given the impact of COVID-19 on our community. Interested families are encouraged to complete a scholarship application at www.gtcys.org/scholarships.

• Previous participation in GTCYS does not guarantee placement and all placements are final.

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GTCYS VIOLIN AUDITION SCALE AND TECHNIQUE RECOMMENDATIONS: Philharmonia East & West: Repertoire is primarily first position, and students must know detaché and staccato bow strokes. This orchestra develops the basics of ensemble playing and listening skills.

Recommended scales: Separate bows in quarter notes (quarter note = 66) A, C, D major: 1 octave G major: 2 octaves a or d minor: 1 octave

Sinfonia East & West: Repertoire includes shifting to third position and playing experience through three sharps and flats. Students must have beginning use of vibrato. This orchestra further expands the basics of ensemble playing and listening skills.

Recommended scales: Separate bows in quarter notes (quarter note = 76) E♭, F major: 1 octave G, A, B♭, C, D major: 2 octaves g, a, b, d, minor: 2 octaves

Concertino East & West: Repertoire includes more advanced bow strokes, such as martelé, spiccato, 1st – 5th positions, vibrato and playing experience in four sharps and four flats. This orchestra further develops students’ technical and ensemble skills.

Recommended scales: Separate bows in quarter notes (quarter note = 92) G, A♭, A major: 3 octaves B♭, C, D, E♭, F major: 2 octaves g, a minor: 3 octaves b, c, d, e minor: 2 octaves

Camerata: Repertoire includes facility in higher positions and proficiency in 1st– 6th positions. Students must have a continuous vibrato and playing proficiency in four sharps and four flats. Students must be able to sight read in 3rd position.

Recommended scales: Separate bows in quarter notes (quarter note = 104) G, A♭, A, B♭ major: 3 octaves B, C, D, E♭, E, F, major: 2 octaves g, a, b minor: 3 octaves c, d, e, f minor: 2 octaves

Concert Orchestra: Repertoire requires facility in higher positions, vibrato and various articulations. This ensemble develops students’ more advanced technical and rehearsal skills through advanced repertoire which includes original classical works. Students must have good sight-reading skills and be proficient in advanced key signatures.

Recommended scales: Separate bows in quarter notes (quarter note = 116) G, A♭, A, B♭, B, C major: 3 octaves D♭, D, E♭, E, F major: 2 octaves g, a, b♭, b, c minor: 3 octaves c#, d, e, f minor: 2 octaves

Philharmonic: Music is from the standard professional repertoire. This orchestra develops individual musicianship and advanced ensemble skills. Students must be proficient in all major and minor keys and highly proficient in advanced positions and bow technique.

Recommended scales: Separate bows in eighth notes (quarter note = 80) All major and minor scales: 3 octaves

Symphony: GTCYS’ flagship orchestra performs major symphonic repertoire at professional-style concerts. Students must be highly proficient in all major and minor keys, advanced positions and bow technique.

Recommended scales: Separate bows in eighth notes (quarter note = 96) All major and minor scales: 3 octaves

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2020-21 Violin Excerpt Set 1 Camerata and Concert Orchestra

Balmages - On Top of the World mm. 19-35

Tchaikovsky, arr. Müller Romeo and Juliet

mm. 97-119

*Students who wish to be considered for either of these orchestras must record all of Set 1. Record one set of excerpts only.

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2020-21 Violin Excerpt Set 2 Philharmonic & Symphony

Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 4 Mvt. I, mm. 155-168

Mvt. II, mm. 199-218

*Students who wish to be considered for either of these orchestras must record all of Set 2. Record one set of excerpts only.

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