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Auditions at GTCYS

2010 - 11 Audition Information 

Note: we are currently experiencing technical difficulties with the online application form. Please do not submit an online application until the problem is resolved - hopefully by March 8. In the meantime, you may download a pdf of the application (at right) and mail it in if you wish. Thank you for your patience!

The details below, specific audition dates, and scale requirements are all current.

Who is eligible to be a GTCYS member?

Any musician with note-reading ability, from very young through 12th grade who plays an orchestral instrument, may audition. Everyone must audition each season regardless of previous GTCYS participation.
Because GTCYS' six orchestras range from beginning to pre-professional, we have a high placement rate for students of all abilities. 

When are auditions?

Auditions are held each year in the spring and in December. Interested students, including all returning students, must audition for 2010-11 on May 14-16 and 21-22. See specific instrument dates. Second-semester auditions (for new students only) are Saturday, December 4, 2010. For December auditions, GTCYS will only audition instruments for which there are openings (no flutes).

Where are auditions?

Mayflower Church
106 Diamond Lake Road
Minneapolis, MN 55419

See directions to audition location.

What about Winter Auditions?

Second-semester auditions (for new students only) are on Saturday, December 4, 2010. In December, GTCYS will audition instruments for which there are openings (no flutes). Note: GTCYS students participating in the fall semester are not eligible to re-audition for the second semester.

How do I apply?

1)  Apply online OR mail in the Audition Application along with the $35 audition fee (non-refundable and not applicable to tuition). Audition slots are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

2) You will receive a confirmed audition audition time via emao;.

Who conducts the auditions?

Auditions are heard by professional musicians including GTCYS' conducting staff.

What should I prepare for the audition?

There are three components for every audition are: solo, scales, and sightreading. Be sure to read the Orchestra Overview below and review the specific scale requirements, and consult your private teacher.  

1. Solo
Prepare one unaccompanied selection (or two shorter selections) displaying your technical and expressive facility. Choose your selection with guidance from your instrumental teacher. The music should show what you can do well. Bring one additional copy of your piece for the adjudicators' reference. Solos need not be memorized.

2. Scales
All musicians are asked to perform memorized scales. Be sure to review the specific scale requirements for each orchestra.

3. Sight-reading    
All musicians are asked to look at and play musical excerpts from orchestral repertoire. Prepare for this by sight-reading new material daily.

Percussionists: Percussionists are asked to demonstrate their scales on bells or xylophone, play an unaccompanied solo piece on any percussion instrument, and sight-read on snare drum, mallet instruments and/or timpani. All percussionists are asked to demonstrate proficiency on the snare drum.  Please review the percussion requirements for the snare drum and scale requirements. Musicians must bring their own snare drum and mallets. Four timpani, bells, xylophone and marimba will be provided. 

How are musicians placed?

The primary criterion for placement is the student's playing; other factors such as age or instrumentation needs may be considered as well. All qualified students are offered placement in the appropriate GTCYS orchestra, space permitting. All placements are final. Previous participation in GTCYS does not guarantee placement.

When should I arrive for my audition?

Please arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled audition time so that you may register, receive your audition room assignment and warm up. Neat dress is appreciated!

How long is an audition?

String, woodwind and brass auditions are approximately ten minutes; percussion auditions are approximately fifteen minutes.

When will I receive my results?

Placement results for the Spring Auditions are announced by mail the week of June 7, 2010. Placement results for the Winter Auditions are sent by mail during the week of December 6, 2010. Please do not call or e-mail for results.   

What does it cost to be in GTCYS?

We've kept tuition and fees flat for 2010-11! A $35 application fee (non-refundable and not applicable to tuition) is due with the Audition Application. Fees for tuition and the fall retreats are included in the Orchestra Overview below. Tuition for new students joining at second semester is pro-rated. GTCYS offers sibling discounts in the amount of $60.00 per additional child.

Is financial aid available?

Need-based financial aid  is available. We are committed to serving talented, dedicated students, regardless of financial constraints. Please call the office at 612-870-7611 for more information.

Orchestra Overview

Rehearsals Rehearsals begin September 13 and 14, 2010 and run through mid-May. Locations subject to change.

Philharmonia - Mary Sorlie, conductor
Typical grades: 4 - 8
Rehearsals: Mondays, 6:30 - 8:00pm at Good Samaritan Church, Edina
Day Retreat: Saturday, September 25 at Chaska Community Center
Tuition: $545 plus $50 retreat fee

• GTCYS' entry-level, strings only orchestra
• Focus on basics of ensemble playing and listening skills
• New members generally have reading experience through two sharps
• Scale requirements available at scale requirements

Sinfonia - Sarah Chelgren, conductor
Typical grades: 5 - 9
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:30pm at FAIR School, Crystal
Overnight Retreat: October 2 - 3 at Camp St. Croix, Hudson, WI
Tuition: $545 plus $100 retreat fee

• GTCYS' first full orchestra (strings, winds, brass and percussion)
• Focus on development of ensemble playing and listening skills
• New members generally have reading and playing experience
  through several sharps and flats
• New string members generally have some shifting experience
• Scale requirements available at scale requirements

Concertino - Barbara Flooding, conductor
Typical grades: 6 - 11
Rehearsals: Mondays, 7:00 - 8:45pm at Shir Tikvah Synagogue, Mpls.
Overnight Retreat: October 2 - 3 at Camp St. Croix, Hudson, WI
Tuition: $565 plus $100 retreat fee

• Students continue to develop their technical and ensemble skills
• Repertoire becomes more intricate
• New members are proficient in four sharps and four flats
• String players have some knowledge of higher positions, vibrato and
  various articulations
• Wind and percussion players have developing technique and tone
• Percussionists tune timpani from a given pitch
• Scale requirements available at scale requirements

Concert Orchestra - Andrew Bast, conductor
Typical grades: 7 - 12
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 7:00 - 9:00pm at Mayflower Church, Minneapolis
Overnight Retreat: September 25 - 26 at Camp St. Croix, Hudson, WI
Tuition: $565 plus $100 retreat fee

• Students move toward advanced technical and rehearsal skills
• Advanced repertoire includes original classical works
• Students proficient in advanced key signatures
• String players proficient in shifting, vibrato and various articulations
• Wind and percussion players display a high level of sound and technique
• Percussionists tune timpani from a concert A
• Students have good reading skills
• Scale requirements available at scale requirements

Philharmonic - Dr. Jeffrey Stirling, conductor
Typical grades: 9 - 12
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 7:00 - 9:30pm at Shir Tikvah Synagogue, Mpls.
Overnight Retreat: September 25 - 26 at Camp St. Croix, Hudson, WI
Tuition: $595 plus $100 retreat fee

• Advanced group and individual musicianship
• Music from the standard professional repertoire
• Students proficient in all major and minor keys
• Students play with mature sound and technique
• Percussionists tune timpani from a tuning fork
• Advanced reading skills, including alternate clefs and transposition where applicable
• Scale requirements available at scale requirements

Symphony - Amir Kats, Artistic Director & conductor
Typical grades: 11 - 12
Rehearsals: Mondays, 7:00 - 9:30pm at Good Samaritan Church, Edina
Day Retreat: Sunday, September 19 at Medina Ballroom, Medina
Tuition: $640 plus $50 retreat fee

• GTCYS' premier orchestra, with professional level concerts
• Major symphonic repertoire
• Superior individual and group musicianship
• Student technical and reading skills at highly advanced level
• Scale requirements available at scale requirements  

What are the Retreats?

Each GTCYS orchestra participates in a fall retreat which helps students get to know each other and learn new music. The overnight retreats for Sinfonia, Concertino, Concert Orchestra and Philharmonic are at Camp St. Croix in Hudson, Wisconsin, where students will spend time rehearsing, participating in team-building activities and socializing. Students are monitored by GTCYS staff and parent chaperones. Students depart Minneapolis by bus at noon on Saturday and return on Sunday afternoon. Philharmonia and Symphony will each have a day retreat at different locations with similar activities. Retreat attendance is mandatory - call the office with attendance questions.

What is the concert schedule like?

Concerto Competition - Open to all GTCYS students
October 17 (prelims) and October 31 (finals)
SPCO Center, St. Paul

Fall Festival Concert - All ensembles
Sunday, November 7, 2010 at 2:00pm
Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis

Symphony Concert
Sunday, December 5 at 2:00pm
Ted Mann Concert Hall, Minneapolis

Holiday Concerts - All ensembles
December 2010 at various locations

Symphony Concert
Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 2:00pm
Ted Mann Concert Hall, Minneapolis

Community Concerts - All ensembles
March & April 2011 at various locations

Symphony Concert
Sunday, May 7, 2011 at 7:30pm
Ted Mann Concert Hall, Minneapolis

Spring Festival Concert - All ensembles
Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 2:00pm
Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis