Auditions FAQ
To be considered for membership of an orchestra at the Sasol National Youth Orchestra Course or any other SANYOF programme for 2010, you must play a recorded audition in one of the main centres or submit an individual audition recording (see guidelines for this process). The regional recorded audition tour is scheduled for 1-26 March 2010. Audition dates will be confirmed once applications have been received and the number of participants in each centre has been established.
If you would like your city to be included as an audition centre, please make sure there are at least 15 candidates auditioning from that area and we will consider traveling to you.
If you are unable to make the dates – please email auditions@sanyo.org.za to arrange an alternative time.
Play one piece and one study of your choice. Please make sure it is of minimum Grade 6 standard. If in doubt please consult the UNISA, ABRSM or Trinity College syllabus, or ask your teacher to help you.
Maximum time: 5 minutes – if you feel you can demonstrate your ability in less time, this is perfectly acceptable, but the full five minutes is recommended.
Accompanists are not allowed.
All applicants will be identified by a number only. Audition recordings will be reviewed by selected members of the South African National Youth Orchestra audition committee, and will not be done by teachers that have entered candidates for the course.
Applicants are encouraged (although not required) to audition on auxiliary instruments (eg violin and viola, flute and piccolo). Please note that this means you will need two audition times. We will let you know which instrument we will need you to audition on for the live audition at the course. Your auxiliary instrument will count in your favour, and we will have your best interests at heart when deciding on orchestra placement. Some candidates may be accepted to the course on only one instrument, others will be admitted on both and be placed based on their live audition.
Percussion auditions will take place on the first day of the course. No pre-recorded audition is necessary. Please see “Percussion audition guidelines”. Please note that percussion auditions will not be behind-screen, but the panel will not include any participants’ teacher. All percussion entrants must have a letter from their teacher stating that they are at the required standard of Unisa, ABRSM or Trinity College Grade 6 or its equivalent.
Three applicants will be selected from recorded auditions to audition for the position of concert master of the National Youth Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra: Strings. These applicants will do a 30 minute live audition with the conductor on the first day of the course. String players may enter the winter programme in June (National Youth Orchestra:Strings) and/or the summer course in December (Sasol National Youth Orchestra Course).
You may enter for the National Youth Orchestra:Winds, Brass and Percussion programme, and/or for the Sasol National Youth Orchestra Course.
Applicants will be notified if they have been accepted on the course or not on 30 May 2010 for the June course, and on 31 August for the September and December courses.
For the National Youth Orchestra: Strings programme and for the Sasol National Youth Orchestra Course, three applicants will be asked to prepare an audition for the position of concert master for the South African National Youth Orchestra. Bursary, scholarship and payment plan options will be released for participants to apply once they have been accepted to a course/programme.
All live auditions will take place on the first day of each course, and when the course starts audition results regarding placement will be announced. Please note that this might not be a final placement for seating, but will be the final placement in the orchestra. Final seating is decided by the conductor and the artistic director.
You must notify the Nationals office on auditions@sanyo.org.za if you wish to do a recorded audition and provide valid reasons as to why you can not attend the official recorded auditions.
Your audition should not be longer than five minutes.
Accompanists are not allowed.
One piece and one study of your own choice, minimum Grade 6 standard (consult the UNISA, ABRSM or Trinity syllabus and your teacher if you are in doubt).
It should be a first and only take, and the sound engineer must sign a form supplied by the SANYOF office (request a form from comcom@sanyo.org.za) stating that it is a first and only take.
Auditions should be provided on CD or .mp3 and sent to <a href=”mailto:comcom@sanyo.org.za”>comcom@sanyo.org.za</a> or to
PO Box 95433
Waterkloof
0145
It must reach our offices by 31 March 2010.
When is my audition?
Once the SANYOF office has received your application you will be notified by post, email or sms. We will then let you know which day (between 7-30 April 2010) we will be in the main centre closest to you. If there is a problem with your date or time, please email the SANYOF office 09@sanyo.org.za
How do I schedule my recorded audition?
The SANYOF office will give you a time and location for your recorded audition between 7-30 April. We will let you know when this will be. If there is a problem with your audition time, email auditions@sanyo.org.za immediately, and we will try to accommodate you at a different time. If this is not possible, you will need to send in a private recording (see guidelines for this). SANYOF does not cover the cost of your recording and due to variations in recording quality, this is not encouraged.
How long will the recorded audition be?
Not longer than 5 minutes.
What should I play at the recorded audition?
One piece of your choice and one study of your choice. Please ensure that this selection clearly demonstrates your ability on your instrument(s).
Percussion: please see additional guidelines.
Can I send in a DVD?
No, SANYOF does not accept DVD recordings as the whole process is anonymous.
What repertoire should I chose for my recorded audition?
The repertoire for your audition needs to include one piece and one study. It should be of minimum Grade 6 standard. If you are in doubt, please consult the UNISA, ABRSM or Trinity Grade 6 syllabus and ask your teacher.
How many movements?
You may choose to play as many movements as you like, but make sure you stay within the five minute allocated time. You may also play part of a movement/concerto in order to fit into the five minute slot.
Why do percussionists have a specific list of selections or guidelines, while other instruments’ requirements are generic?
It is impossible to tell from a recorded audition what the percussionist’s technique is like. Also – all Grade 6 level and above percussion applicants are accepted to the course as we need so many of them this year.
Why are there two auditions?
The first audition gains entry to the Sasol National Youth Orchestra Course and SANYOF programmes. The second audition gives you a second chance, and allows for placement in an orchestra at the course you have been accepted to. Both auditions count towards your final placement.
The first audition (recorded by our traveling audition team) consists of a piece and a study of your own choice.
The second audition (behind-screen, done by the panel for the course or programme) will include a quick study and orchestral excerpts prescribed by SANYOF.
What does the audition panel want to hear?
We would like to see what your strengths are – so put your best foot forward. Play what suits you, and not what you think would suit us. Your auditions should demonstrate a range of ability and provide contrasts of musical style and instrumental technique. Each audition will be given a percentage. Remember: express don’t impress.
Do I get feedback? We will provide feedback on your audition for you during the course (if you would like it).
When will I get the results of my recorded audition?
Applicants will be notified if they have been accepted on the course or not on 30 May 2010 for the June course, and on 31 August for the September and December courses (via sms, post and email). Please do not call the SANYOF offices for your results. If you have not received any communication from us by 30 May 2010 or 31 August respectively, please email auditions@sanyo.org.za
Percussion audition guidelines
You should have prepared pieces on the following:
· Concert snare drum
· Solo melodic instrument
· Solo timpani (or drum-set)
Percussionists should perform a prepared solo on snare drum (or multiple percussion that includes snare-drum technique), timpani (or drum-set) and a melodic percussion instrument (marimba, xylophone) and will be asked to sight-read on snare drum and marimba.
SANYOF embraces and values all music styles so you should prepare a piece that you are comfortable with and displays your strengths as a musician. It should be approximately 3-5 minutes in length, in any style, which demonstrates your instrumental proficiency and your overall musicianship. Do not choose a piece or a style of music you think the audition team wants to hear. Rather, select a piece that puts your “best foot forward” and highlights what you feel represents your best playing. Ultimately, the audition is a discovery process and we want to find out what you do well.
You may choose to select a 2 or 4 mallet prepared piece that demonstrates your strengths on the instrument. You may also be asked to demonstrate your technical facility via typical practice routines and exercises (scales, arpeggios, etc.).
If you want to show expertise on drum set, substitute the timpani component with a drum-set component. Drummers should bring their sticks and a practice pad for use in the warm-up room, as most warm-up rooms will not have a drum kit for your warm-up. A standard 4 or 5 piece drum set with 2 cymbals will be provided for drum set players. Double-bass pedals are not provided.
It is recommended to seek the guidance of your teacher when selecting your prepared pieces. Please note that it should be of minimum Grade 6 standard (consult the UNISA syllabus if you are in doubt).
Your audition will be up to a maximum of 15 minutes, but please don’t feel you need to use all fifteen – if you are able to demonstrate your ability in less time, this is perfectly acceptable.
Accompanists are not allowed.
Reading: The examples range from basic to complex in order for the audition team to gauge your reading ability. You will have 5 minutes before your audition to warm up on your instrument and 10 minutes to review the reading material before being asked to play the examples in the audition.
You may also be asked to demonstrate your technical facility via typical practice routines and exercises (scales, arpeggios, etc.) on either vibraphone or marimba or rudiments on the snare drum.
We take a holistic approach in our evaluation process where each component of the audition helps the audition team assess your overall abilities as a musician. While each component is important, we recognise it is common for applicants to have imbalances in their playing abilities.
