Each student will audition for placement in the Senior, Junior or Preparatory Orchestras. The audition will consist of a prepared solo of the student’s choice and the required excerpt(s). (Select the appropriate excerpt to download.)

SENIOR ORCHESTRA & AUDITION INFORMATION
The Eastern Senior Youth Orchestra is a symphonic orchestra designed for students who have achieved a high degree of proficiency and artistry on their instruments. This orchestra strives to expand students' repertoire and experiences by performing a wide variety of orchestral works from various musical periods. Repertoire difficulty ranges from approximately Grades 4½ to Grade 6. Ensemble members are expected to be able to perform with:

Qualifications:

• Precise intonation and pitch accuracy in a variety of keys and tonalities
• Consistent pulse and rhythmic accuracy in a variety of meters and tempos
• Characteristic tone quality and mature phrasing in a range of styles and genres

Entry Level Repertoire:

• Violin: Suzuki Book 7 or equivalent
• Viola and Cello: Suzuki Book 6 or equivalent
• Bass: Sonatas of Marcello or Vivaldi or equivalent
• Winds/Brass/Percussion: All-District required solo or equivalent

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS, 2024-2025 (NOTE: ALL THREE ARE REQUIRED)

#1. Scales: Prepare the scales listed below for your instrument. The adjudicators will select two scales from this list for you to perform. Be prepared to perform in quarter notes at ~ 88 bpm.

• Violin/Viola/Cello: All twelve major scales, two octaves. Students may perform scales in three octaves if they choose
• Double Bass: All twelve major scales, one octave; plus E, F and G in two octaves
• Woodwind & Brass: All twelve major scales, one octave

#2. Solo Repertoire Excerpt: Prepare a three- to five-minute excerpt from a solo work or technical etude that you feel highlights your technical skills and musical abilities on your instrument. This could be a work you recently performed or used for an audition, or a work you are currently studying. String players may use the Eastern Regional Orchestra audition piece from either the previous or upcoming year. Woodwind & Brass players may use the District Band audition piece from either the previous or upcoming year

#3. Orchestral Excerpts: Download the excerpt file for your instrument and prepare both orchestral repertoire excerpts. Follow tempo markings, phrase markings, articulations, and bowings provided in the parts. If no phrase markings and bowings are provided, you may add your own

Contact Dr. Tim Nowak (nowakt19@ecu.edu) with any questions or concerns regarding the audition material or processes

AUDITION DOWNLOADS: Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Double Bass, Flute, Horn, Oboe, Percussion, Tenor Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola, Violin

JUNIOR ORCHESTRA & AUDITION INFORMATION
The Eastern Junior Youth Orchestra is designed for students with significant orchestral skills and experience. This orchestra endeavors to expand on the musical, technical and experiential foundations of orchestral playing. The music includes simple and mixed meters; keys up to 3 sharps/flats; 1st through 4th positions; with secure note-reading, vibrato and bowing skills. The emphasis of this group is to challenge technical and musical acquisition and develop a refined orchestral tone.

Qualifications:

• Orchestral music at the grade 3-5 level (junior to high school), requires the following skill level:
• First through 4th positions (beyond for first violins)
• Some double stops; broken thirds, sixths and octaves
• Rhythms with note and rest values whole through 16th notes including triplets
• Musical expression through phrasing and dynamics
• Solid vibrato skills
• Forward and backward extensions for cello
• Increase left hand dexterity
• Use of full bow; beginning bounced bow strokes; accents
• Refined tone appropriate to piece and age level

Entry Level Repertoire:

• Violin: Suzuki Books 4(mid to late)-5 or equivalent
• Viola and Cello: Suzuki Books (upper) 3-5 or equivalent
• Bass: Suzuki Book 2 or equivalent

Students should prepare the following for their audition:

• The posted excerpts (see below)
• A piece of their choosing, no longer than one minute, which best displays their technical and musical abilities

AUDITION DOWNLOAD: This SINGLE file has Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass audition exceprts (prepare only the one for the instrument you are playing).

PREPARATORY ORCHESTRA & AUDITION INFORMATION
The Eastern Preparatory Youth Orchestra is a string orchestra designed to introduce and put into practice the foundations of orchestral playing. This orchestra seeks to develop good ensemble playing, expand reading skills, and encourage technical development. EPYO performs music with simple meters and rhythms, and fundamental keys; generally, in first position, but with some 2nd through 4th; teaching basic bowing styles and dynamics. Emphasis is placed on acquiring good posture, preparation, ensemble, and practice proficiencies.

Qualifications:

• Orchestral music at the grade 1.5 to 3 level (upper elementary to early junior high), requires the following skill level:
• Good basic first position; knowledge of low 2nd finger, and backward/forward extensions; beginning work in 2nd and 3rd positions for violin/viola and 2nd through 4th positions for cello
• Good posture and position of the right and left hand
• Good intonation and clear tone
• Bowing styles: détaché, staccato, marcato, and legato
• Dynamics: piano-forte; crescendo and diminuendo
• Beginning of vibrato on longer notes
• Backward and forward extensions; use of low 1st and 2nd finger

Entry Level Repertoire:

• Violin: Suzuki Books (mid) 2-3 or equivalent
• Viola and Cello: Suzuki Books 2-3 or equivalent
• Bass: Suzuki Books 1-2 or equivalent

For the Eastern Preparatory Youth Orchestra audition students should prepare the following:

• The following two octave scale: Violin, G Major; Viola, C Major; Cello, C Major; Bass, G Major
• The appropriate posted excerpt below;
• A piece of their choosing, no longer than one minute, which best displays their technical and musical abilities;
• There will be a simple sight-reading exercise in the audition

AUDITION DOWNLOADS: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass

CHAMBER MUSIC
Current members of ESYO, EJYO or EPYO with proficient reading skills, displaying competency in shifting, vibrato, tone production, and musical interpretation. (The conductors have the right to deny participation on the basis of appropriate instrumentation.)

The Chamber Music Program is a 3-week program designed for musically advanced students to focus intensively on a chamber work. Grouped by ability, students will rehearse assigned chamber works each Sunday and Monday with time assigned by your coach. As a participant, you will receive coaching from EYO conductors. This program is an extension of the EYO orchestra program and will begin after the November concerts.

Typically Chamber group(s) meet, rehearse and perform after the main EYO orchestras.

There is a $100.00 fee to participate in this program.

More information about the 2023-24 Chamber music season will be forthcoming.