Auditions
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The Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra invites instrumentalists entering grades 4-12 to audition! We provide ensemble opportunities for a range of instruments and experience levels. Read about our four different ensembles below. Summer Audition Dates: Sign up to audition by August 18, 2023. Audition video due by Aug 25, 2023. Auditions are by video submission only. For instructions on how to register to audition and submit an audition video, please visit our Sign-Up to Audition Page. For the audition requirements for each ensemble, please visit out Audition Requirements Page. If you have any questions, please contact our Operations Manager at ops@gpyo.org. |
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Notes on GPYO Membership
An orchestra is a community based on cooperation and commitment.
Consistent Attendance is Expected
Attendance at every rehearsal by all members is crucial to attain GPYO’s goals of excellence. Each musician in an orchestra relies on all of their colleagues for effective rehearsals. Absences are permitted only in the case of illness, mandatory school rehearsals and concerts, unavoidable emergencies, or circumstances pre-arranged with the Conductor and Executive Director.
Participation in School Music Programs is Required
The GPYO is intended to enhance and supplement each musician's involvement in their school music program.
GPYO members are required to actively contribute to their school’s performing music program (band, orchestra and/or choir). Members who are home-schooled will be exempted from this requirement. Once accepted into the GPYO, each musician will be asked to submit the GPYO’s school ensemble participation form, signed by the conductor of the school ensemble for which the musician rehearses and performs.
A student may request permission to be excused from this requirement by contacting the GPYO Executive Director - executivedirector@gpyo.org.
Private Lessons are Highly Recommended
GPYO rehearsals are designed to develop the playing and listening skills necessary for performing confidently and sensitively in a group. Conductors and sectional coaches focus on this ensemble experience, and provide limited individual feedback.
We highly recommend that our musicians also study individually with instrumental music teachers who specialize in their instruments. The GPYO has relationships with a wide network of local private music teachers. If you are looking for a private teacher, please contact our Executive Director - executivedirector@gpyo.org .
GREATER PRINCETON YOUTH ORCHESTRA ENSEMBLES
All GPYO ensembles rehearse at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton on Monday evenings throughout the school year.
Symphonic Orchestra
Dr. Jessica Morel, conductor
The Symphonic Orchestra is the flagship ensemble for the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra. This ensemble features some of the most advanced young musicians in the central Jersey and Pennsylvania regions. Students invited to play in the symphonic orchestra enjoy music of the highest level, most of which is played by professional ensembles around the world. Symphonic Orchestra members perform many concerts throughout the year, and often are asked to play in chamber music performances. The students of the Symphonic Orchestra, most of whom are members of regional and state ensembles, or intend to pursue music as a major in college, range in age from middle school to high school seniors. This ensemble is not age restricted, students must simply possess very advanced musical skill and the desire to play music of great difficulty and high art.
Rehearsals: 7:15 - 9:30 pm, Monday nights
Tuition: $750
Concert Orchestra
Dr. Jessica Morel, conductor
The Concert Orchestra is comprised of talented developing musicians ranging from middle school through high school, with some upper elementary students. This ensemble offers students the full symphonic orchestra experience, which is not common among most school programs in New Jersey. A Concert Orchestra musician is ready to be challenged by advanced repertoire, but will also use the experience to develop the technique necessary to be ready for the GPYO Symphonic Orchestra. The string, woodwind, brass and percussion students in Concert Orchestra will have small sectional rehearsals throughout the year to address the repertoire being performed, as well as opportunities to further the musical technique on their instruments.
Rehearsals: 5:30-7:00 pm, Monday nights
Tuition: $650
Chamber Wind Ensemble
David Rabinowitz, conductor
The Chamber Wind Ensemble is designed for intermediate level wind and brass players who are developing their musicianship skills in a smaller group setting. They focus on the essentials of performing: phrasing, sound production, tuning, and playing as a cohesive ensemble. Members are often expected to play “one-on-a-part.” This encourages them to develop the confidence and independence expected of symphonic wind and brass musicians.
Rehearsals: 5:30-7:00 pm, Monday nights
Tuition: $500
Preparatory String Ensemble
Blair Cunningham, conductor
The Preparatory String Ensemble is designed to offer an introductory string ensemble experience to students ranging from elementary through middle school. Students in this ensemble will be challenged to become more independent musicians, which will in turn complement their school ensemble experience. More time will be dedicated to develop string technique which will prepare students to continue into the senior division.
Rehearsals: 5:30-7:00 pm, Monday nights
Tuition: $500
GREATER PRINCETON YOUTH ORCHESTRA ENSEMBLES
All GPYO ensembles rehearse at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton on Monday evenings throughout the school year.
Symphonic Orchestra
Dr. Jessica Morel, conductor
The Symphonic Orchestra is the flagship ensemble for the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra. This ensemble features some of the most advanced young musicians in the central Jersey and Pennsylvania regions. Students invited to play in the symphonic orchestra enjoy music of the highest level, most of which is played by professional ensembles around the world. Symphonic Orchestra members perform many concerts throughout the year, and often are asked to play in chamber music performances. The students of the Symphonic Orchestra, most of whom are members of regional and state ensembles, or intend to pursue music as a major in college, range in age from middle school to high school seniors. This ensemble is not age restricted, students must simply possess very advanced musical skill and the desire to play music of great difficulty and high art.
Rehearsals: 7:15 - 9:30 pm, Monday nights
Tuition: $750
Concert Orchestra
Dr. Jessica Morel, conductor
The Concert Orchestra is comprised of talented developing musicians ranging from middle school through high school, with some upper elementary students. This ensemble offers students the full symphonic orchestra experience, which is not common among most school programs in New Jersey. A Concert Orchestra musician is ready to be challenged by advanced repertoire, but will also use the experience to develop the technique necessary to be ready for the GPYO Symphonic Orchestra. The string, woodwind, brass and percussion students in Concert Orchestra will have small sectional rehearsals throughout the year to address the repertoire being performed, as well as opportunities to further the musical technique on their instruments.
Rehearsals: 5:30-7:00 pm, Monday nights
Tuition: $650
Chamber Wind Ensemble
David Rabinowitz, conductor
The Chamber Wind Ensemble is designed for intermediate level wind and brass players who are developing their musicianship skills in a smaller group setting. They focus on the essentials of performing: phrasing, sound production, tuning, and playing as a cohesive ensemble. Members are often expected to play “one-on-a-part.” This encourages them to develop the confidence and independence expected of symphonic wind and brass musicians.
Rehearsals: 5:30-7:00 pm, Monday nights
Tuition: $500
Preparatory String Ensemble
Blair Cunningham, conductor
The Preparatory String Ensemble is designed to offer an introductory string ensemble experience to students ranging from elementary through middle school. Students in this ensemble will be challenged to become more independent musicians, which will in turn complement their school ensemble experience. More time will be dedicated to develop string technique which will prepare students to continue into the senior division.
Rehearsals: 5:30-7:00 pm, Monday nights
Tuition: $500
