MARYLAND CLASSIC YOUTH ORCHESTRAS Concert Orchestra

Andrea Cameron, conductor

MCYO is introducing a NEW ensemble named Concert Orchestra, conducted by Andrea Cameron. This full orchestra is specifically designed to bridge the gap between our Preparatory Strings and Young Artists programs. It will provide a valuable opportunity for students in grades 6-8 to develop their ensemble skills in a full orchestral setting. As with every MCYO ensemble, this experience will not only enhance technical proficiency but also foster a deeper appreciation for orchestral music.

Rehearsals are from 5:00 – 6:30 Wednesday Evenings. Location Hoover Middle School.

Audition Requirements

Grades in School:
Strings: 6 – 8th Grade
Winds/Brass/Percussion: 6 – 8th Grade

Minimum Solo Level (MMEA grade level or ASTADC):
Difficulty grade level 3 and higher

Musicians are required to learn the entire solo and will be asked to play a 3-5 minute excerpt from their solo. Solos must be played without piano accompaniment. Memorization of solos and excerpts is not required.

Musicians will sight-read parts which are comparable in difficulty to the orchestra repertoire

Download the Orchestral Excerpts Here.
*Some excerpts may be multiple pages.

To be considered for MULTIPLE ensembles, you must prepare ALL excerpts required for the older ensemble plus ONE excerpt (of musician’s choice) from the younger ensemble’s required excerpts.

Musicians must be able to play all the scales listed for your instruments (scales, arpeggios, etc)
Scales/arpeggios must be played from memory
All scales/arpeggios are to be played ascending and descending.
Adjudicators may ask musicians to play the scales:
- Faster, slower, staccato, and/or legato
- Off the string spiccato (each note four times)
- Martele (one note per stroke, middle to tip of bow)
- Hooked bows (each note once or twice)
Scales should be performed slurring two eighth notes per bow, followed by arpeggio in the same note pattern at the same tempo. Three-octave scales should be performed as triplets, slurring three eighth notes per bow, followed by a three-octave arpeggio in the same note pattern/tempo. (Minimum tempo of quarter = 72)

Violin: Major scales: 2 octaves / C G D A F Bb Eb Melodic minor scales: 2 octaves / C D
Viola: Major scales: 2 octaves / C G D A F Bb Melodic minor scales: 2 octaves / A G
Cello: Major scales: 2 octaves / C G D A F Bb Eb Melodic minor scales: 2 octaves / A D
Bass: Major scales: 2 octaves / F ; 1 octave / C G A D Bb Melodic minor scales: 1 octaves / E G

Musicians must be able to play all the scales listed for your instruments
Scales must be played from memory
Adjudicators may ask musicians to play the scales faster, slower, staccato, and/or legato.
Scales are to be played evenly and smoothly in a 16th note pattern at a minimum metronome speed of quarter = 72.
All scales are to be played ascending and descending.

Flute: Chromatic: 1 or more octave scales Major scales: 2 octaves / G D F Eb ; 1 or more octaves / C A Bb
Oboe: Chromatic: 1 octave scales Major scales: 1 or more octave / C G D A F Bb Eb
Clarinet: Chromatic: 1 or more octave scales Major scales: 2 octaves / G A F & 1 or more octaves / C D E Bb Eb
Bassoon: Chromatic: 1 octave scales Major scales: 1 or more octaves / C G D A F Bb Eb
French Horn: Chromatic: 1 octave scales Major scales: 1 or more octaves / C G D A F Bb Eb
Trumpet: Chromatic: 1 octave scales Major scales: 1 or more octaves / C G D A E F Bb Eb
Trombone: Chromatic: 1 octave scales Major scales: 1 or more octaves / C G D A F Bb Eb
Tuba: Chromatic: 1 octave scales Major scales: 1 or more octaves / C G D A F Bb Eb

Percussion: Musician will need to prepare a solo or etude for snare drum, mallets, or timpani (Goldenberg, Podemski, Cirone, Delecluse, Firth, Peters, Schinstine, Whaley, Houliff, Wessels, Aleo, or equivalent) and the orchestral excerpts for the other two instruments (I.E. a mallet SOLO plus snare drum and timpani EXCERPTS). The student should be prepared to sight read on all three instruments as well as to demonstrate timpani tuning and basic snare drum rudiments (long concert roll, 5, 7 and 9 stroke rolls, flams, flam taps, flam accents, paradiddles and double paradiddles).

Harps: Musicians will need to enroll in to Harp Ensemble (Part of the Small Ensemble). – Please prepare a solo that best represent your playing level/skills. If you are also interested in performing with the orchestras, you should also prepare an orchestral excerpt that reflects upon current ability.