As
a very first step to joining the Shasta College Youth Orchestra, please
understand the commitment that is expected. We have gotten off to a fine
start and look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence.
Excellence can only result from the full and continuing support of everyone
involved. As a new or continuing musician, your contribution can have a
profound impact. Clearly you need to know the music, so be prepared to put
in the time and effort at home to learn it. Rehearsals are opportunities to
work on the orchestra's combined sound, and your fellow musicians will be
depending upon you to know your part and to be there. An absence not only
slows your development as a musician, it slows the development of the whole
orchestra.
Auditions
Auditions are held in the summer, for the season beginning the fall semester
with auditions upon request for the Spring semester. Auditions are normally
about 10 minutes long. First, you will be asked to play several scales that
demonstrate your range. Next, you will be asked to play a prepared piece of
your choice. Finally, you will be asked to sight read a piece. (Please note
that sight reading is a required skill for the Orchestra.) For an
appointment or for more information, please call Elizabeth Slowik at(530)
549-4793 for more
information, or click here to send a
note to our Audition Chair.
Rehearsals
The
orchestra rehearses once per week, Wednesday afternoons, 3:30-5:00 p.m.;
additionally, there is typically a Saturday rehearsal just prior to our
Sunday concerts. For purposes of grading, students may have two unexcused
absences from rehearsal per semester. Click
here for the current year's rehearsal and concert schedule.
Concerts
We
perform two concerts per year at the end of the fall and spring semesters,
as well as a joint concert with the Shasta Symphony following the normal
spring concert. Also, new to this year, we plan on holding a school
"outreach" concert at the end of the fall semester. Click
here to listen to music and watch video footage from our most recent
concert.
Grading Policy
We
encourage all students to take the youth orchestra as a course for
college credit. However, as a college course, certain standards must be
met to obtain a good grade. Specifically, students are expected to
participate in all concerts and have no more than two unexcused absences per
semester (i.e., a n absence not cleared in advance by the conductor). Each
unexcused absence above this level will result in a drop of one grade level
(e.g., from an "A" to a "B"). Additionally, all concerts must be
participated in or a failing grade will result.
Music Instruction
In order to attain as high a level of
musicianship as possible, all students should be receiving private music
lessons, including practice on symphony pieces with instructors as
necessary. Additionally, we encourage all students to enroll in other music
programs available, particularly their school programs (if applicable). To
the extent possible, the Youth Orchestra should augment, not replace, your
other music programs. Since we only rehearse once per the week, the above
requirements are necessary to attain optimum performance standards.
