Rivers Youth Orchestras

Rehearsals: Fridays, 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Chris Brainard, conductor

Primo is a student’s first orchestral experience. Students must be enrolled in private lessons. Candidates should demonstrate ease of playing in first position on all four strings and can proficiently read those notes, they have modest sight reading abilities, and may be working on beginning shifting.

Audition requirements:
– Excerpts from 2 contrasting selections
– Two 1- or 2-octave scales, student’s choice

Downloadable Audition Requirements

Rehearsals: Fridays, 4:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Whitney Tandon, conductor 

Preparatory is designed for young string players ready for intermediate string repertoire. Candidates can read music proficiently and have strong sight-reading abilities. Preparatory students demonstrate ease of playing in the first three positions and may be developing or playing with vibrato.

Audition requirements:
– Excerpts from 2 contrasting selections
– Two 2-octave scales, student’s choice

Downloadable Audition Requirements

Rehearsals: Fridays, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Susan Memoli, conductor

Sinfonia is for musicians who can rehearse and perform intermediate through medium-advanced string orchestra repertoire. Candidates are able to use a variety of bow strokes, demonstrate use of vibrato, and comfortably play in the first four positions.

Audition requirements:
– Excerpts from 2 contrasting selections 
– Two 3-octave Major scales C, G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb (violin/viola/cello) student choice
– Two 2-octave Major scales C, G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb (double bass) student choice

Downloadable Audition Requirements

Rehearsals: Fridays, 4:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Colleen MacDonald, conductor

Philharmonia is for advanced string players that will perform advanced string orchestra repertoire. Candidates should possess highly developed technique, familiarity with the first five positions, mature sound, and proficient sightreading abilities.

Audition requirements: 
– Excerpts from 2 contrasting selections 
– Two 3-octave major scales C, G, D, A, E, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, conductor choice

Downloadable Audition Requirements

Rehearsals: Fridays, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Christopher Memoli, conductor

This is the only orchestra for both string and wind players. RYS provides orchestra training for advanced student musicians. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to rehearse and perform advanced orchestral repertoire and excellent sight-reading skills.

Audition Requirements:
Strings:
– Excerpts from 2 contrasting selections
– Two 3-octave major scales 

Winds and Brass:
– Excerpts from 2 contrasting selections
– Full range chromatic scale
– Two major scales

Percussion (students must audition in at least two of the following areas):
– Mallets: 12 major scales in 2 octaves, solo that demonstrates ability, sight-reading
– Timpani: Tuning to given pitches, solo that demonstrates ability, sight-reading
– Snare: Long Roll (open-closed-open), Single Stroke Roll, solo that demonstrates ability, sight-reading

Downloadable Audition Requirements