The San Diego Young Artists Symphony (SDYAS) will be holding auditions Aug. 27 through 31 for all sections: strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. Auditions are open to all San Diego County music students from ages 5 to 25.
“The San Diego Young Artists Symphony provides orchestral training for young musicians who have the ability and desire to study and perform symphonic repertoire in an environment that has expectations and standards of excellence similar to those of a music conservatory,” said Marike Schultz-Meyer, executive director of SDYAS, in an e-mail interview.
In addition to the YAS, there are three training orchestras that act as stepping-stones to entering the YAS. The Con Brio ensemble is a beginning string group for those just starting out. The Fiddle ‘n’ Bow and Wind ‘n’ Brass ensembles are intermediate groups for strings, woodwinds and brass.
All young musicians who audition will be placed into the orchestra that best fits their skill level.
Some musicians in the Fiddle ‘n’ Bow group also play with the beginning Con Brio ensemble, because of varying skill levels and for the extra practice, Schultz-Meyer said.
“The Young Artists Symphony accepts musicians of all ages, according to their musical abilities,” Schultz-Meyer said. “The YAS is an advanced orchestra, which performs full symphonic works.”
Last year the group performed the Beethoven’s complete Fourth Symphony and Dvorak’s entire Ninth Symphony as well as Wagner’s “Meistersinger Prelude.”
The YAS begins rehearsals in September for a series of four concerts in January and February, a Viennese Ball in April and a final concert or concert series in June.
New this season are the chamber music ensembles. In the past, the chamber music ensemble was a string quartet; this year, everyone in the orchestra will participate in chamber ensembles, string quartets, quintets, octets, woodwind ensembles or brass choirs.
Another addition this season is the composition competition.
“We decided to sponsor a composition competition to give young composers the chance to have their compositions performed by a full orchestra as well as to find fresh music to add to the orchestra’s repertoire,” Schultz-Meyer said. “The contest will allow us to showcase the work of local young composers as well as the talents of our skilled musicians.”
Many musicians play with the YAS for several years. They do have to re-audition every year, but the auditions for returning musicians are mostly for seating purposes and to allow the conductor to hear each musician play individually and offer helpful tips to improve performance, she explained.
The group also conducts auditions all year long.
“We hold auditions all year round because we do not want to discourage any talented or eager musician who might have just learned about our organization midway through the season,” Schultz-Meyer said. “The advanced orchestra always welcomes truly skilled players to all sections.”
To schedule an audition appointment, call (619) 276-2057. Rehearsals will begin Saturday, Sept. 9, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Mesa College, in Room 210 of the Music Building. For more information, visit www.sdyas.org.