HOW TO JOIN HCYO
Every year Hampshire County Youth Orchestra welcomes many new talented players into its ranks…
If you would like to be part of one of the country's top youth orchestras, get in touch right now with Hampshire Music Service (02380 652037, or email secretary@hcyo.co.uk)) and ask for an application form. Alternatively you can download one here and send it in to: Penny Mead, Hampshire Music Service, Rookwood Centre, Eastleigh SO50 4RJ.
Below is some information which we hope will be useful to you. If you would like to know more about HCYO, email conductor@hcyo.co.uk
Who are we?
Hampshire County Youth Orchestra (part of Hampshire Music Service) is a pyramid organisation made up of three different orchestras: the String Orchestra, the County Youth Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra. (The Chamber Orchestra is an "additional" orchestra, chosen from players in the CYO).
One audition process covers all three of the ensembles in the HCYO family. You may be offered a place in any of these, according to our assessment of your playing.
A full and exciting year is planned for all the HCYO ensembles, with a likely Summer tour for the County Youth Orchestra, plus our annual HCYO residential course at Bryanston School in the Easter holiday. The String Orchestra, County Youth Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra have concerts planned in venues around the county, as well as festival appearances and collaborations with other groups.
Membership of HCYO is open to all pupils up to the age of 19 years who are in full-time school/college education. However, assuming the highest standard has been met, we are expected to give priority first to Hampshire residents, and then to non-Hampshire residents attending Hampshire schools and colleges, and then to other applicants, including those from neighbouring counties and unitary authorities such as Southampton and Portsmouth.
Why do we have auditions?
Auditions can be scary things ... but they can also be a really good way to express your musicianship in a short space of time. We enjoy hearing you, and hope that you will enjoy playing to us ...
Running auditions each year ensures that the quality of the orchestras' playing remains at the highest possible level. We do everything we can to make sure that the audition process is fair and welcoming for everyone taking part, and that it works to the benefit of the orchestras as a whole. Everyone in the orchestras auditions every year.
We recommend that you apply for membership of as many different school, area and county groups as possible: sometimes (especially if you play a popular instrument) certain sections of the Youth Orchestras get crowded, and it may be very hard to win a place. The more chances you give yourself, the more success you are likely to have to play with an ensemble in the coming year.
What will your audition be like?
Most auditions are in individual slots, and last about ten minutes. For some existing HCYO players, the audition is partly in small groups. These players will have the chance to play some orchestral excerpts with their group (or, in the case of flutes and trumpets, some sight-reading with their group); they will then have a chance to play a solo piece alone.
Requirements for your audition
We ask you to prepare the following:
-
For all those not currently in HCYO: two contrasting solo pieces, or a single piece with strongly contrasting sections.
-
For all current members of HCYO (CYO and SO): one solo piece, ideally with contrasting sections.
You should choose music which you feel comfortable with, and which you feel expresses your musicianship well. We do recommend that you do not play a piece at the very limits of your ability, or which you have only recently started work on. There is normally no accompaniment available; and you may be asked only to play some sections from your piece(s). Percussionists are encouraged to play on snare drum, xylophone and timpani in their audition: either in their piece(s) or in sight-reading.
PLUS ...
-
We may also ask you to do some sight-reading, and play some scales/arpeggios appropriate to your current level
-
Trumpeters will be asked to transpose at sight (from Trumpet in C); tenor trombonists will need to feel comfortable with parts in both tenor and bass clefs; bass trombonists and tuba players will need to feel comfortable with parts in the bass clef.
-
Current members of the County Youth Orchestra or String Orchestra may be asked to play some excerpts from this year's orchestral repertoire. In most cases, string players will do this in small groups.
Violinists
New applicants and members of the String Orchestra who play the viola as well, or have tried it out and are interested in doing more, are strongly advised to audition on both violin and viola. You may well open yourself to opportunities that wouldn't necessarily be available otherwise. You don't necessarily need to bring a piece: just an orchestral excerpt is fine, if you prefer. Please be sure to indicate clearly when you apply that you wish to audition on both instruments. Current HCYO members should also please let us know in advance.
What to bring with you
Percussionists may want to bring their own sticks. Flautists, oboists, clarinettists who wish to showcase additionally their piccolo, cor anglais or bass/Eb clarinet skills are welcome to do so, as long as they bear in mind the very limited time available.
Current HCYO members should make sure they bring their own orchestral music with them, and not leave it to others to do so.
Criteria for selection
Decisions are made substantially on the basis of the quality and standard of your playing, both in solo and (where applicable) orchestral repertoire, during the audition. For existing members, the quality of your playing during the year, and your commitment and progress through the year, are also taken into account as much as is reasonably possible.
CYO principals
Section Principals in the County Youth Orchestra are selected according to the strength and character of their playing and leadership. They are appointed as principals on a year by year basis, and not necessarily for the rest of their time in the Orchestra, as others might be given the opportunity to fill the position if appropriate. If a principalship is rotated in this way, it certainly does not mean that anything other than an excellent job has been done: it simply means that another person is being given the opportunity. Equally, some players may be asked to fulfil the role for a number of years, if we feel that is in the best interest of the section as a whole.
Joint membership with County Youth Brass Band
Joint membership of the County Youth Orchestra and County Youth Brass Band may be possible, at the discretion of the directors of the two groups, Jock McKenzie and Tom Seligman.
After the auditions ...
As soon as possible after all the auditions have been completed in mid-July, you will be contacted with the results. This can be a difficult time: competition for places is often intense, and there are inevitably disappointments as well as joys in the audition process. We are always glad to give feedback on your audition if asked.
Furthermore, we remain closely in touch with directors of other Hampshire ensembles, and may be able to direct you to another ensemble if for any reason we do not feel that you are currently suited to HCYO.
Auditions take place at the end of June/beginning of July. We do welcome interest throughout the year, however, and spaces are sometimes available.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
© Copyright 2000-2003, Friends of the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra
