Auditions are held in August each year for the youth orchestras, with dates to be assigned in the Spring. If you would like an audition mid-year, please contact the conductor of the appropriate orchestra.

  • Information Letter 2011-12
  • Registration Form 2011-12
  • Private Lesson Grant 2011-12
  • Tuition Assistance Form

    • All musicians must audition once a year.

    Orchestras

    The Fairbanks Youth Orchestras consist of three groups: Youth String Orchestra, Youth Concert Orchestra, and Youth Symphony.

    All groups meet weekly from September through May on the University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus. Participation in all the FYO ensembles is by audition.

    All students are required to attend and participate in scheduled concert performances as a part of their participation in the Fairbanks Youth Orchestra Program. Concert dates will be posted and all members are expected to play the concert. Please note the concert dates before auditioning for the orchestras and make sure that you have no conflicts with those performance dates. If you know that you will not be able to make those concert dates and still want to participate in the orchestras you must notify the conductor at auditions of conflicts with concert dates.




    YS Audition Pieces 2011 (.pdf )


    Concert Orchestra Audition Pieces 2011 (.pdf )

    Audition requirements

    If you are wondering which group to audition for, please read the descriptions of each of the orchestras.

    String Orchestra (SO)

    1. Play a polished piece.
    2. Sight-read.
    3. Scales:

    Violin Play G Major scale, 2 octaves; another scale, 1 octave
    Viola Play C major scale, 2 octaves; another scale, 1 octave
    Cello Play C major scale, 2 octaves; another scale, 1 octave
    Bass Play 2 scales, 1 octave

    Concert Orchestra (CO) and Youth Symphony (YS)

    All musicians will need to perform the following regardless of instrument
    1. Identify and play a one to two minute excerpt of a polished piece that demonstrates your technical, tonal, and musical skills.
    2. Prepare assigned music for your particular instrument.
    3. Sight-read.
    4. Scales (see below)

    Violin, Viola, and Cello
    1. D major scale:
    (YS) 3 octaves in 1/16 notes, with a quarter note equal to your choice of speeds from 100 m.m. to 120 m.m.
    (CO) 2 octaves in eighth notes, with a quarter note equal to your choice of speeds from 100 m.m. to 120m.m. 3 octaves optional.
    2. D minor scale (melodic form), 2 octaves played at the tempo of your choice, detache.

    String Bass
    1. G major scale:
    (YS) 2 octaves in 1/16 notes, with a quarter note equal to 88 m.m.
    (CO) 2 octaves in eighth notes, with a quarter note equal to 88 m.m.

    Woodwinds and Brass
    1. A chromatic scale throughout the range of your instrument in eighth notes, with the quarter note equal to 120 m.m.

    Percussion
    1. Demonstrate a snare drum roll and other selected rudiments.
    2. Demonstrate tympani roll and tuning ability if you wish to be considered for a tympani part.