Auditions Overview
1. Orchestra Placement Auditions: HCYO Sinfonia, Concertante Orchestra, Allegretto Orchestra and Twinkle Beginning Strings Class
HCYO holds placement auditions for new and returning violin, viola, cello, and string bass students in August and September each year. August auditions are at the beginning of the HCYO Summer String Camp and September auditions are at the beginning of the fall semester. Wind, brass and percussion auditions are in October or early November of the fall semester. Audition dates are posted on the HCYO web-site. Auditions take place at the First United Methodist Church, 321 Thompson Drive, Kerrville, Texas. All string audition music is on the HCYO website. Please call (830)285-9781 if you need the audition music mailed to your address.
It is our policy to make the placement process a relaxed and positive experience. A panel of conductors, headed by the HCYO Director of Education, listens to each student one at a time. Only parents of very young musicians (ages 5 - 7) may be in the room during the audition. Each orchestra has scales and music excerpts for students to prepare (check web-site). These auditions insure the student is placed in the appropriate orchestra and will be provided the most educational, challenging and enjoyable experience possible. Intermediate and advanced students may also be asked to sight-read at the placement audition. Young beginners (ages 5 - 7) will audition on Twinkle from the Suzuki Volume I book. Students are encouraged to consult their private instructor or school orchestra director in the preparation of audition material.
New string students who wish to join HCYO for the spring semester may audition in the beginning of January. Returning students who have made extraordinary progress during the fall semester may be recommended by their conductor to audition for a higher level orchestra. The final decision on all mid-year promotions are with the HCYO Director of Education.
2. Chair Tests and Seating Placement Auditions: HCYO Sinfonia and Concertante Orchestra
It is our policy to encourage a team-work oriented environment for every level of orchestra. Seating auditions are to promote student practicing in preparation for the weekly orchestra rehearsal. It is expected that all orchestra members practice their parts regularly and know their music for every concert. Seating auditions may be held once or twice a semester and will be heard by the conductors. The audition will consist of an excerpt from the concert music being worked on in orchestra rehearsals. Audition dates will be sent out by email in the Rehearsal Notes (see web-site), which are given weekly. Audition excerpts may be posted on the HCYO web-site and this will be noted in the Rehearsal Notes.
Seating recommendations will take into consideration excellent attendance, positive and respectful attitudes, and musical leadership exhibited during rehearsals. Adjustments to seating after auditions are at the discretion of the conductor.
3. TMEA Region 11 Honor Orchestra Auditions: Grades Six through Twelve
TMEA Region 11 holds Honor Orchestra Auditions in the fall for students who wish to participate in the Middle School and High School Honor Orchestra Clinic and Concert in December. Private school, home-school or public school students whose school DOES NOT have an orchestra program may register to audition through HCYO. All other students should register through their school orchestra director or TMEA sponsor. Information, registration forms and audition music will be available on the HCYO web-site. Audition registration forms and audition fees are due at the beginning of October and students who need to register through HCYO should turn in forms and fees to the HCYO Staff Assistant.
4. TMEA All-State Orchestra Auditions: Grades Nine through Twelve
All-State orchestra auditions are only for students who register and attend the Region 11 High School Symphony Honor Orchestra auditions. Students must prepare the All-State auditon etudes and excerpts posted on the TMEA web-site (tmea.org). The TMEA Convention and All-State Clinic and Concert are held every February for four days in San Antonio. See the Texas Music Educators Association website at tmea.org for more details.
High school students who are registering for Region 11 Honor Orchestra auditions through HCYO must indicate on their entry form that they intend to audtion for All-State and pay the additional non-refundable Region 11 taping fee.
Please go to the tmea.org web-site in May for the audition etudes. Orchestral audition excerpts are posted at tmea.org in July. Students must audition and place in the TMEA Region 11 Honor Orchestra before they may tape for the All-State Orchestras and should consult the tmea.org web-site regularly for up-dates, including corrections (or errata) to audition music.
