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Bridge Program
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
Bridge is a dynamic program that helps students transition from Sinfonia to the Youth Symphony, using focused repertoire, coaching, and performance opportunities to strengthen musicianship, ensemble confidence, and readiness for advanced orchestral playing.
BRIDGE
A dynamic program designed to support students transitioning from Sinfonia to the Youth Symphony. With focused repertoire, coaching, and performance opportunities, Bridge strengthens musicianship, ensemble confidence, and prepares students for the demands of advanced orchestral playing. String players will focus on repertoire that emphasizes facility with shifting through third position, mastering off-the-string strokes, and mastering vibrato. All instruments will work on reading music in both simple and compound meters, and in developing the facility to play in a wide variety of major and minor keys. Recent repertoire has included Bizet’s L’Arlesienne, Holst’s Jupiter.
QUICK FACTS
LEVEL
Intermediate to Advanced Level
INSTRUMENTS
Strings, Brass & Woodwinds
ELIGIBILITY
Ages 8+ · Prior experience required
AUDITION
Required
TUITION
$850 per season
CONDUCTOR
Mrs. Debbie Walden
SIGHT READING
Students will need to demonstrate the ability to sight read orchestral literature at a Grade 2 Level.
SOLO PIECE
All candidates should present a prepared piece or study that demonstrates their current level of musicianship, including technical facility and artistic expression, and reflects their readiness to perform at a high level. String players should prepare a work at the level of Suzuki Book Three or higher.
SCALES - STRINGS
Strings: Perform a 2 Octave Major Scale in one of the following keys: G, D, A (Violin) C, G, D (Cello/Viola), E/A/D (1 Octave fine for Bass). Note: For 1st Violin section placement students will need to play a two-octave D Major scale or any three-octave scale of your choice in order to demonstrate shifting ability.
All string players should be prepared to play their scales with the following bowing articulations:
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In slow Quarter Notes (metronome Quarter = 60), one note per bow, using the whole bow, rich sound, and Vibrato if you know Vibrato.
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Slurred bowings: 2 per bow 8th Notes, 3 per bow Triplets, and 4 per bow 16th Notes (metronome Quarter = 60)
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Staccato 8th Notes (short and stopped) about 4 inches of bow in the middle of the bow.
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Hooked bowing (full fast bow with a dotted rhythm - Double dotted Quarter Note and a 16th Note, for example)
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Optional - If you have learned it: Spiccato 8th Notes off the string, at the balance point, moderate tempo, repeating each note of the scale four times.
SCALES - WOODWIND & BRASS
Winds/Brass: Perform a One-Octave Scale in Concert C, B-Flat or F with the following articulations (metronome Quarter = 60):
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In Quarter Notes, Legato Tongued
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In 8th Notes, Slurred
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In 8th Notes, Staccato
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In 8th notes, Slur 2, Tongue 2 (Trombone: Legato Tongue 2, Staccato 2)
FREE AUDITION WORKSHOP
Sunday, December 6, 2026
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
TUITION COSTS
$850
✓ 10% Early Bird discount
✓ 10% Sibling discount for 2+ musicians
✓ 3-installment payment plan available
✓ Partial scholarships based on financial need
TUITION INCLUDES
✓ All ensemble rehearsals and live performances
✓ Hard copy of concert repertoire
✓ Online music access & practice tracks
✓ Sectional coaching throughout the season
✓ One NVYS t-shirt