Auditions

Our Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

Napa Valley Youth Symphony is committed to creating an organization that values diversity, equity and inclusion and offers unlimited full tuition and lesson scholarships. Cost should never be a barrier to participation.

 

2022-23 Season Auditions

We will holding 2022-23 Season Auditions every two months throughout the season. Complete an audition request form here.

Please scroll to the bottom of the page to see the audition requirements.

Questions or you haven't heard from us? Contact our Orchestra Manager at orchestra@nvyso.org.

 

Want to learn more about how to audition?

Please watch this Audition Workshop Video!

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Skills Requirements

Students auditioning for Sinfonia

must prepare one one-octave scale, a solo demonstrating his or her highest technical level, and may be asked to play a sight-reading excerpt (provided at the audition) to demonstrate music literacy.

Strings

  1. Good basic string tone and technique

  2. Accurately read whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and dotted rhythms

  3. Familiarity with scales and keys of C, G, D and A (concert pitch) as well as flatted notes (low first and second finger on violin and viola; extended first finger on cello)

  4. Execution of the following techniques: arco, pizzicato, legato, staccato, portato, tie, slur, fermata, accent, dynamics (pp - ff)

 

Winds/Brass

  1. Good breath support, embouchure and tone

  2. Accurately read whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and dotted rhythms in a variety of articulations

  3. Familiarity with these keys and scales: B-flat, F, C, G, D

  4. Ability to play a one-octave chromatic scale (two octave for flute/clarinet)

 

Students auditioning for Bridge and Youth Symphony

must prepare two three-octave scales, a solo demonstrating his or her highest technical level, an excerpt (provided below), and a sight-reading excerpt (provided at the audition) to demonstrate music literacy.

 

  1. Ability to use 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions 

  2. All major/minor scales – major and minor (Two octaves for basses, winds, brass; three octaves for violins, violas and cello)

  3. Ability to produce excellent tone quality at all dynamics with a variety of articulations

    1. Strings: Knowledge and execution of the following bow techniques: detache, portato, tremolo, martele, staccato, hooked bowing and spiccato.  

  4. Ability to contribute musically to performances of major orchestral works

  5. Ability to read music fluently and accurately perform rhythms including eighth notes, sixteenth notes, syncopation and triplets.

  6. Good intonation throughout range of instrument and in all keys

  7. Strings: Ability to read and play in higher positions

  8. Winds/Brass: two-octave chromatic scales

 

Youth Symphony - Percussion

You may be asked to demonstrate any of the Percussive Arts Society’s 40 rudiments.
see bit.ly/NVYSdrums

 

The successful Bridge Ensemble auditioner will demonstrate most but not all of the Youth Symphony Skill Requirements. The successful Napa Youth Chamber Ensemble auditioner will demonstrate mastery of all of the Youth Symphony Skill Requirements.

 

Chamber Ensemble Audition Requirements

1. Three octaves major and minor scales

2. 5-10 min solo

 

For more information about audition requirements, skill requirements and excerpts go here.