There are three ways to apply for the San Jose Youth Symphony:

1.   Online Application

2.   Download Audition form

3.   Call the office 408-885-9220 and ask for an audition application

Being part of the San Jose Youth Symphony is an experience you will never forget. Musicians carry this experience and education with them their whole lives.

Eligibility
Membership in the San Jose Youth Symphony is by audition and invitation. Membership entails a commitment to participating for the entire year. Members range in age from 8 to 21. Exceptions to this age range may be made at the sole discretion of the artistic staff. Any young musician meeting the minimum artistic standards as outlined below is eligible to apply to audition.

Audition Schedule and Location
Due to an overwhelming response to our auditions, we are extending auditions through May 2008. Auditions will be held at the San Jose Youth Symphony office or before Monday night rehearsals at Los Gatos United Methodist Church. Please contact the San Jose Youth Symphony office if you have any questions, 408.885.9220. Please complete an online application and send application and fee to schedule an audition. Applicants will be notified as to the date and time of their audition. Due to the complexity of scheduling large numbers of applicants, auditions for each instrument group are usually held on a single day. Missed auditions will not be rescheduled. You may only audition once.

A $25.00 non-refundable application fee is required by the date of the audition. Make checks payable to: San Jose Youth Symphony. PRINT MUSICIANS NAME CLEARLY ON CHECK along with AUDITION FEE or send a copy of the online application.

Each SJYS applicant must be prepared to play the following at a live audition:

1. Solo: Candidate must play two contrasting sections of music: one fast section to demonstrate technical ability and one slow section to demonstrate lyricism. Candidate must prepare either two solo pieces of contrasting styles or one solo that includes both fast and slow sections.

2. Scales: Candidate will be asked to demonstrate a scale in 2-3 octaves. The key, mode (major or minor), and number of octaves will be determined by the adjudication panel.

3. Sight-reading: The candidate will be expected to sight-read and accurately demonstrate recognition of key and time signatures, rhythm, and accidentals.

Philharmonic Orchestra

Minimum Artistic Standards
All candidates are required to know all the major and minor scales and corresponding arpeggios.

Strings: All string must have the ability to play any scale or arpeggio in 3 octaves; a strong command over a variety of bowing techniques including spiccato, staccato, detaché, martelé, ricochet, and legato. Viola and cello must be proficient in reading treble clef.

Woodwind and Brass: Woodwinds must have the ability to play any two-octave scale in arpeggio (3 octaves where applicable). Brass must have the ability to play any two-octave scale and arpeggio. Transpositions and clef proficiencies are required where applicable. All woodwinds and brass must be able to play the chromatic scale throughout the range of the instrument.

Piano, Harp, Saxophone: Applications will be accepted for these instruments.

Concert Orchestra

Minimum Artistic Standards
All artistic standards described in the Prelude and Intermezzo String Ensembles plus:

Strings: All string must have the ability to play 3 octave major and minor scales including C, G, D, A, B Bb, Eb. Solid knowledge of positions one through five. Familiarity with a variety of bowing techniques including spicatto, staccato, detaché, martelé, ricochet, and legato. Viola and cello must have a basic understanding of treble clef.

Woodwind and Brass: Woodwinds must have the ability to play two-octave major and minor scales.

Piano, Harp, Saxophone: Applications will be accepted for these instruments

Avant Flute Choir

Minimum Artistic Standards
All candidates are required to know all the major and minor scales and corresponding arpeggios in 2 octaves ( 3 octaves where applicable) and be able to perform the chromatic scale 3 octaves.

Concert Winds Ensemble

Woodwinds and Brass-
Students must be able to perform 6 Major Scales- C, F, B flat, E flat, A flat, and G Concert one octave (two octaves if possible).

Percussion-
Students must demonstrate ability on pitched or unpitched instruments. Both are desirable. Mallets: Percussionists must be able to perform any 6 of the 12 Major Scales two octaves. Snare Drum: Be able to demonstrate at least half of the standard 24 rudiments including a closed roll.

String Bass-
Students must perform at the same minimum artistic standards as listed under the Concert Orchestra.

Symphonic Winds Ensemble

The Wind Ensemble is for intermediate and advanced woodwinds and brass players. All candidates are required to know all the major and minor scales and corresponding arpeggios in 2 octaves ( 3 octaves where applicable) and be able to perform the chromatic scale 3 octaves.

Woodwinds and Brass-
Students must be able to perform all 12 Major Scales an octave plus a ninth. Flutes and clarinets will be required to demonstrate two full octaves on each of the Major 12 scales. All students must be able to perform all 12 melodic minor scales at least one octave.

Percussion-
Students must be proficient on both tuned and untuned instruments. Mallets: Percussionists must be able to perform all 12 Major Scales two octaves. Snare Drum: Be able to demonstrate the standard 24 rudiments. Exhibit an open and closed roll from piano to forte; back down to piano. Timpani: Demonstrate ability to tune drums as well as perform an 8-16 measure excerpt which will include dampening, rolling, and basic facility on the instrument. Accessories: demonstrate proper playing technique on cymbals, triangle, and tambourine.

Piano/Harp/String Bass-
Students must perform at the same minimum artistic standards as listed under the Phiharmonic Orchestra.

Intermezzo String Ensemble

Minimum Artistic Standards
All artistic standards described in the Prelude String Ensemble plus:

Ability to play Bb major scale in two octaves;
Ability to play G & A major and minor scales in three octaves;
Solid knowledge of third position with a beginning understanding of fifth position;
Solid use of vibrato;
Ability to use bow strokes included in Prelude String Ensemble plus strokes off the string.

Prelude String Ensemble

Minimum Artistic Standards
Ability to play major scales in C, G, D, A in two octaves;
Solid knowledge of first position with a beginning understanding of third position;
Beginning vibrato is welcome but not required;
Ability to use basic bow strokes including legato, staccato, and detaché.

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