Auditions
The Bainbridge Island Youth Orchestra holds annual auditions for the upcoming season at the end of summer, to place students in the Symphonic and Chamber Orchestras. Placement in the Debut Orchestra is by teacher recommendation and does not require an audition. Auditions for the 2022-2023 season will be held on September 10 & 11 at Bethany Lutheran Church. Please sign up here to reserve your slot:
We have changed our audition format to best identify student needs, and measure the growth of each student entering into the 2022-2023 season. Please read the instructions, in full, below.
- Prepare all excerpts from Set 1 to perform at your audition. Play each line to the best of your ability.
- String Players: If you would like to be considered for Chamber Orchestra, please also prepare “Set B” (1 major, 1 minor scale as written, 2 orchestral excerpts). Note: fingerings/bowings are suggestions only and not required. After each scale or excerpt, the audition panel will invite you to continue, or to proceed to sightreading.
- Wind/Brass/Percussion Players: If you are able, please continue to “Set B” to determine part assignments.
- Sight-reading Excerpts will be provided at the audition. As before, after each excerpt, the audition panel will invite you to continue or congratulate you on completing your audition and you will invite the next musician in.
Strings Audition Excerpts
| Set 1 - Violin |
| Set B - Violin |
| Set 1 - Viola |
| Set B - Viola |
| Set 1 - Cello |
| Set B - Cello |
| Set 1 - Double Bass |
| Set B - Double Bass |
Winds/Brass/Percussion Audition Excerpts
| Set 1 - Flute |
| Set B - Flute |
| Set 1 - B-flat Clarinet |
| Set B - B-flat Clarinet |
| Set 1 - Trumpet |
| Set B - Trumpet |
| Set 1 - French Horn |
| Set B - French Horn |
| Set 1 - Trombone |
| Set B - Trombone |
| Set 1 - Tuba |
| Set B - Tuba |
| Set 1 - Percussion |
| Set B - Percussion |
To request additional instrument parts not listed above, please email [email protected]
Ensembles and Placement
Debut Orchestra: This orchestra is intended to provide the tools and experience for musicians to learn to play in an ensemble, and expand their knowledge of their instrument. This orchestra is open to all musicians who are interested. Students selected for Symphonic Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra are encouraged to volunteer in Debut Orchestra as they are able.
Symphonic Orchestra: This orchestra provides the profound opportunity to experience full orchestra music, develop rehearsal skills, and craft a practice routine for each musician to grow in technical and theoretical ability.
Chamber Orchestra: This orchestra is intended to take students who have proven their mastery of their instrument and their dedication to practice and rehearsal technique, and provide them with opportunities to play in an intimate ensemble where each member is held accountable for playing each note with accuracy and informed by a creative process. This ensemble will focus on creative musicianship, and will require each member to diligently prepare their parts prior to the rehearsal.
Symphonic Orchestra: This orchestra provides the profound opportunity to experience full orchestra music, develop rehearsal skills, and craft a practice routine for each musician to grow in technical and theoretical ability.
Chamber Orchestra: This orchestra is intended to take students who have proven their mastery of their instrument and their dedication to practice and rehearsal technique, and provide them with opportunities to play in an intimate ensemble where each member is held accountable for playing each note with accuracy and informed by a creative process. This ensemble will focus on creative musicianship, and will require each member to diligently prepare their parts prior to the rehearsal.
