moving through ensembles
Please always consult with the director if your child is expressing the desire to audition and advance - it is important to understand that Concert Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra are multi-year courses, and depending on how much personal practice they do at home, some children in those ensembles will need 2-3 years of playing in concert or chamber before they are ready to advance. For this reason we think a parent conversation or phone call with the director is always a good start, and in this way the director can provide their honest feedback and help the family develop an action plan to prepare through a one, two or three year plan.
The secret of getting ahead is getting started...
Beginning Orchestra to Prelude Orchestra:
When reasonable mastery of the fundamentals being taught is demonstrated beginning Orchestra students automatically graduate into prelude Orchestra. Beginning Orchestra is a one-year course.
Prelude Orchestra to concert Orchestra:
When reasonable mastery of the fundamentals being taught is demonstrated prelude Orchestra students automatically graduate into concert Orchestra. Prelude Orchestra is a one-year course.
Concert Orchestra to Chamber Orchestra:
When strong mastery of the fundamentals being taught is demonstrated, a conversation between student, parent and director is encouraged and student can begin learning the audition materials to prepare an audition into the next ensemble. Concert Orchestra students must audition into Chamber orchestra. Ensemble placement is determined at the director's prerogative. The audition constitutes a demonstration of fundamentals learned which along with the director's holistic assessment during instruction in class will support the decision to either move the student to the next ensemble or recommend additional time in the current ensemble to strengthen mastery of the fundamentals being taught in that group. The decision ultimately and always supports the students musical and educational needs. Concert Orchestra is a multi-year course.
Chamber Orchestra to Youth Symphony:
When strong mastery of the fundamentals being taught is demonstrated, a conversation between student, parent and director is encouraged and student can begin learning the audition materials to prepare an audition into the next ensemble. Chamber orchestra students must addition into Youth Symphony. Ensemble placement is determined at the director's prerogative. The audition constitutes a demonstration of fundamentals learned which along with the director's holistic assessment during instruction in class will support the decision to either move the student to the next ensemble or recommend additional time in the current ensemble to strengthen mastery of the fundamentals being taught in that group. The decision ultimately and always supports the students musical and educational needs. Chamber orchestra is a multi-year course.