Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra

The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra is part of the Richmond Symphony Young Performer’s Program.

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History

The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra was founded in the spring of 1962 by Edgar Schenkman and is the oldest youth orchestra in the state of Virginia. It was a partnership between the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and Richmond Public Schools. The schools provided the venues, students, and music stands, and the Richmond Symphony provided Edgar Schenkman and the rest of the artistic leadership. It was originally only one orchestra, but by 1981 had expanded to three orchestras, the original Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Youth Concert Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony String Sinfonietta. In 2004, a fourth orchestra was added, the Richmond Symphony Camerata Strings.

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Orchestras

The String Sinfonietta is an all-string ensemble for young musicians, directed by Rebecca Jilcott since 2004. Camerata Strings is also just for strings and is the next level up. It has been conducted by Joseph Wargo since 2004. The Youth Concert Orchestra is the lower-level full orchestra, conducted by Beth Almore since 2007, and the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra is the top ensemble, a full orchestra, conducted by Dr. Erin Freeman, D.Mus., since 2007. The orchestras accept students up through 12th grade. All four orchestras meet weekly and participate in coaching and masterclasses by Richmond Symphony musicians, mentoring, and other activities. The orchestras are the top orchestral training ensembles of central Virginia. In 2008, the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra played at the Kennedy Center with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Richmond Symphony.

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Audition Requirements

All students must participate in their school band or orchestra program.

String Sinfonietta: No formal audition, but required to know: C, D, and G major scales, 2 octave preferred (1 octave for bass)All Strings: 1st position notes on all stringsViolins: basic 3rd position on the E stringCellos: basic 2 ½ and 3rd position on the A stringBasses: basic 2 ½ and 3rd position on the G string (high C/D area)

Camerata Strings: formal audition processScales: all major scales up to 3 sharps and 3 flats, 2 octaves (Bass 1 octave) PLUSHarp: Scale of your choice, 2octaves hands togetherViolin: G major, 3 octavesViola: C major, 3 octavesCello: C Major 3 octavesBass: F Major 2 ocatves

SightreadingSolo Piece: must be about 3 minutes and best demonstrate the abilities of the studentEquivalent to VBODA or ASTA level 3-4

Youth Concert Orchestra: formal audition process1. Scale Requirements: (Quarter = 120)StringsHarp: Scales of your choice, 3 octaves hands togetherViolin: G, A, B-flat, B & C major scales, 3 octavesg, a, b, & c melodic minor scales, 3 octaves Viola: C, D, E-flat, E & F major scales, 3 octavesc, d, e, & f melodic minor scales, 3 octavesCello: C, D, E-flat, E & F major scales, 3 octavesc, d, e, & f melodic minor scales, 3 octavesBass: E, F, G & A major scales, 2 octavese, f, g, & a melodic minor scales, 2 octaves WindsAll major/melodic minor scales up to 4 sharps/flats, 2 octavesChromatic scale, 2 octaves preferredPercussionScales on a mallet instrumentAbility to play a roll (pp-ff) on snare drum2. Sight Reading (required for all instrumentalists)Viola players should be prepared to read in TREBLE clefCello, bassoon, and trombone players should be prepared to read in TENOR clef3. Solo RequirementsApplicants must prepare a 3-minute piece that best demonstrates their playing abilityMust be equivalent to VBODA or ASTA’s level of 4-5Percussionists must be prepared to play a solo on snare or a mallet instrument

Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra: formal auditionHarp Scales of your choice, 4 octaves hands togetherStringsAll major scales – 3 octaves (Bass: 2 octaves)Melodic minor scales up to 4 sharps/flats, 3 octaves (Bass: 2 octaves)WindsAll major/melodic minor scales up to 4 sharps/flats, 2 octavesChromatic scale, 2 octaves preferredPercussionScales on a mallet instrumentAbility to play a roll (pp-ff) on snare drum• Sight Reading (required for all instrumentalists) Viola players should be prepared to read in TREBLE clefCello, bassoon, and trombone players should be prepared to read in TENOR clef• Orchestral Excerpt Applicants will prepare an orchestral excerpt relevant to his/her instrument (downloaded from website)Trumpets and horns must be prepared to transposeAuditions are held in the spring and fall of each school year.

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Alumni

The alumni of this program number in the thousands. They regularly attend music schools and many are successful musicians in top orchestras around the world. Many of the Richmond-area music teachers also are alumni.

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Links

* http://www.richmondsymphony.com/

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Sources:

Halbruner, Aimee. "Slideshow of RSYO at the Kennedy Center." E-mail to Kristin Grasberger.3 June 2008.

"Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestras." Richmond Symphony. 2008. Richmond Symphony Orchestra. 8 Jun 2008 .

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ee also

Richmond Symphony Orchestra

List of youth orchestras in the United States