Rowan Youth Orchestra

  • Rowan Youth Orchestra Fall 2019

Rowan Youth Orchestra

 Rowan Youth Orchestra

The Rowan Youth Orchestra, now in its 36th year at Rowan University, is a full orchestra including strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion instruments. Orchestra members are in grades 7-12 from schools throughout southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The RYO will perform two concerts in Rowan University’s Pfleeger Concert Hall to showcase its musicians’ talents and will have chamber music opportunities. Players work with Rowan University faculty and students in rehearsals, sectionals, and masterclasses. The orchestra performs concerts at Rowan University’s Pfleeger Concert Hall to showcase it’s musicians’ talents.

RYO 2019-2020 Season

RYO 2019-2020 Tuition: $400; A 10% discount is available for payment in full by September 22, 2019 (available only for full year participation). An additional 10% discount is available if your child is enrolled in private lessons through Rowan Community Music School. A payment plan option is also available only for ful year participation. All students are required to make tuition payments through the Marketplace online system after they have been accepted as per their audition. A late fee of $10 assessed for ensemble tuition not paid by February 24, 2020. Registration for new members for the Spring 2020 semester will open on January 20, 2020. Tuition for new members will be a pro-rated fee of $200.

 

Rehearsal Information

There are a limited number of rehearsals for our concerts so all are extremely important. Plan on rehearsal starting on time and ending at the scheduled time. If your child needs extra time to get any missed music or has any questions or concerns, please arrive earlier. Rehearsal time will be 6:00-8:15pm. Please arrive by 5:45pm to tune your instrument and warm-up. Players should be in their seats, ready to play, at 6:00pm. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL IF YOU QUESTION REHEARSAL CANCELLATION DUE TO WEATHER.

Please arrive by 5:45pm (for rehearsals only) & bring your:

  • Instrument
  • Pencils
  • Music *All instrumental parts for each selection will be handed out at the beginning of rehearsal.  
 
Spring 2020 Rehearsal Schedule RYO & RYSO: 
1/26 – Rehearsal
2/2 – No Rehearsal for RYO – There will be RYSO Rehearsal
2/9 – Rehearsal
2/16 – Rehearsal
2/23 – Rehearsal, NO RYSO REHEARSAL
3/1 – Rehearsal
3/8 – Rehearsal
3/15 – Rehearsal
3/22 – Rehearsal
3/29 – Rehearsal
4/5 – Rehearsal
4/12 – No Rehearsal – Easter
4/19 – Rehearsal
4/26 – Rehearsal
5/3 – Concert
 

Attendance Policy

-More than one unexcused absence and you may be asked to not play the concert.

-Excused absence = rowancommunitymusicschool@rowan.edu are notified at least 48 hours in advance of the start of a rehearsal.

-More than 2 excused absences and you may be asked to not play the concert.

Audition Requirements


Your audition will consist of three parts:

1) A solo piece of your choosing that you feel comfortable playing. The piece should demonstrate the full range of your technique and musicality. If possible, choose two contrasting excerpts. Maximum 3 minutes. Percussion: One solo each on two different instruments of your choice (two solos total). For example, 1) a solo on timpani or snare drum and 2) a solo on a keyboard instrument such as xylophone, marimba, or vibraphone. One solo on timpani and one on snare drum is also acceptable if the student does not have keyboard percussion experience.

2) Scales. You will be asked to play 2 scales of your choosing.

Violin/Viola/Cello/Bass: Major or minor scales in 2 or 3 octaves.
Woodwinds & Brass: Major or minor scales in 1, 2, or 3 octaves as appropriate for your instrument.
Percussion: Demonstrate loud (fff) and soft (ppp) rolls on snare drum and timpani and loud (fff) and soft (ppp) crashes on a pair of crash cymbals. If student has keyboard percussion experience, 2 different major or minor scales in 2 octaves on marimba or xylophone.


3) Sight reading. You will be asked to sight read a brief passage of music. The best way to prepare is to practice sight reading at home. Choose a piece of music from a method book or orchestra that you have not played before. Sit down with a metronome and play through a passage without stopping. HINT: It is better to take a slow tempo that is comfortable, rather than a fast tempo that will cause you to stop.


Why an audition?
While most people wouldn't call auditions fun, they are a very valuable experience for the auditioning student and music director. We audition all prospective and returning members for three reasons:

1) So that you and the music director can meet one on one. In the full orchestra, this is often not possible. By knowing each student as a person as well as a player, he can create the most rewarding orchestral experience possible.

2) To train students on how to take auditions. Do you get nervous when you audition? There is only one way to practice getting over that nervousness, and that is to take auditions. Our supportive audition environment teaches students how to audition, which they can apply in future try-outs and job interviews.

3) For seating. In order to best organize the orchestra, our music director needs to hear each player individually.

Things to know:
Music stands will be provided. All percussion instruments, timpani, and a piano will be available in the audition room. Percussionists should bring their own mallets and/or sticks.