Auditions 2022 – Information Pack 1
Information Pack
Auditions 2022 – Information Pack 2
About Music for Canberra
Music for Canberra offers a variety of different programs for people of all abilities. We offer both individual and group instrumental tuition, as well as the opportunity to take part in an ensemble. We have choirs for both children and adults, as well as an orchestra program that includes the Canberra Youth Orchestra. We also offer mixed ability classes to those living with a disability.
Music for Canberra prioritises music lessons for everyone that inspire and create fun and engaging learning opportunities. Music for Canberra offers high quality music tuition for all and curates accessible and creative ways to make music at our home – the Ainslie Arts centre.
About the Canberra Youth Orchestra
The Canberra Youth Orchestra (CYO) is Canberra’s premier youth symphony orchestra. The CYO brings together the region’s finest young musicians and is conducted by Louis Sharpe.
The CYO performs a diverse range of repertoire ranging from the staples of Classical music through to contemporary Australian works. The CYO performs regularly at Llewellyn Hall as part of an annual concert series, as well as other regular performances.
Performance standard: AMEB 8 or equivalent, or AMEB 7+ for woodwind and brass. Musicians are expected to be taking additional individual instrumental tuition; this can be arranged with a Music for Canberra tutor if musicians don’t have a private teacher.
About the James McCusker Orchestra
The James McCusker Orchestra (JMO) is Music for Canberra's second most senior orchestra for young musicians, and is conducted by Doreen Cumming. It is named after one of the original founding members of Canberra Youth Music, passionate musician James ‘Jim’ McCusker. Through its rehearsal and performance of selectively curated repertoire, the JMO provides an ideal environment for young players to gain exposure to the fundamentals of orchestral ensemble playing.
The James McCusker Orchestra works towards regular performances at venues and community events including at Llewellyn Hall, Floriade, the National Eisteddfod, and festivals in the ACT and wider region.
Performance standard: AMEB 5-7 or equivalent. Participants of the James McCusker Orchestra are expected to be taking additional individual instrumental tuition in addition to the orchestra.
Auditions 2022 – Information Pack 3
Online Audition Process
Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, all auditions in 2021 will be assessed online via a pre-recorded submission in 2021, for placement in the CYO and JMO for 2022.
• All applicants must submit a recorded audition, comprising of (1) an ‘own choice’ work (except for timpani and percussion applicants) and (2) the set excerpts by 18 October 2021.
• The audition panel will assess auditions and provide individual results/rankings for each instrument.
• Individual offers will be made for CYO and JMO based on the results from the audition and the instruments required for each orchestra.
• Applicants must accept their offer by the due date in order to be enrolled in the orchestra for 2022.
• The audition panel is comprised of experienced musicians, teachers, and professionals from the music industry. They are skilled in the assessment of instrumental auditions and will assess each submission.
Timeline
Audition Requirements 1. Piece of your own choice
All applicants (except percussion and timpani) are required to perform a short piece of their own choice, without an accompanist.
Please choose a work, or section of a work, which:
• Clearly demonstrates your technical proficiency
• Emphasises your musicianship
• Presents contrasting musical material
• Is no more than 5 minutes in length
Applicants are not required to present complete works — a carefully selected passage of a longer piece is acceptable. Applicants are strongly advised to check the selection of their piece with their teacher.
2. Orchestral excerpts
The orchestral excerpts are in varying styles and degrees of difficulty and are divided into Set A and Set B and Leadership.
Set A: All applicants are required to prepare the excerpts labelled Set A.
Set B: These excerpts are only required for applicants wishing to be considered for Canberra Youth Orchestra.
Friday 17 September Online applications open
Tuesday 28 September
Online applications close
Wednesday 29 September Excerpts released
to applicants
Monday 18 October Submissions close
.
Auditions 2022 – Information Pack 4
Leadership: These excerpts are only required for applicants wishing to be considered for Concert Master or Principal Musician role.
All applicants will receive access to a private page on the MfC website once registration and payment has been received. Applicants will then need to download the relevant excerpts for their instrument and position sought.
Canberra Youth Orchestra James McCusker Orchestra Set A
Set B Not required
Leadership Optional Optional
Useful tips for preparation
To prepare the excerpts to the best of your ability, take time to find out some background about each work. It is important to listen to a recording of the orchestral work from which the excerpt has been taken. Not only will this make it more interesting for you when preparing the excerpt, but it will assist you in understanding the style in which it is usually performed.
Excerpts are very important in the audition process. Whilst they may not seem as interesting to you as your own choice piece, your performance of the excerpts helps the panel understand your approach to music- making and assess your knowledge of orchestral repertoire. Look carefully at all the tempo, dynamic and articulation markings, and consider them when you are preparing each excerpt. Any metronome markings are provided only as an indication. Aim for accuracy, beauty of sound, precise rhythm, and good intonation. Don’t forget to seek the guidance of your teacher. The excerpts are of varying difficulty.
Woodwind Auxiliary Instruments
Wind instrument applicants are encouraged to also audition on their respective doubling instruments: Piccolo, Cor anglais, Eb Clarinet, Bass clarinet and Contrabassoon. Wind auxiliary auditions will need to prepare an additional excerpt. An own choice piece is not required for auxiliary instruments.
How to Record Your Audition
1. For ease of recording and uploading, the following elements are required to be recorded in one video:
a) Own choice work (if required)
b) Orchestral excerpts (to be recorded in order; 1, 2, 3…) c) Auxiliary instrument orchestral excerpts (if required)
2. Announcing the video:
Your submitted video must begin with you announcing the following information:
“My name is ___________ and I am auditioning on (instrument) for CYO [or] JMO.”
Before you perform your own choice work, you must announce:
o “I will be performing _________ by _________ .”
Auditions 2022 – Information Pack 5 3. Recorded audition checklist:
• Select an enclosed room (not a staircase, hallway or outdoors) with good lighting so you are clearly visible in the video. The camera should be set up on a tripod or flat surface (not held in hand).
• Do some tests to check the audio level. You need to make sure the sound on the video is audible, even when you are playing quietly. You should also make sure the sound does not distort when you are playing loudly.
• Check for background noise which may interfere with your recording. You may need to plan a suitable time of day, or location, for making your recording to avoid noise which could distract from your performance.
• The camera you use should record in landscape view, at a minimum resolution of 720p, in one of the following file formats: MP4, MOV or AVI. If you don’t have access to a video camera, many mobile phones can achieve these technical requirements. If you are unable to access a suitable device, please be in touch with MfC and we will try to assist you.
• You should be clearly visible in shot, where possible from head to toe, with your face unobscured and you should remain in view for the full duration of each video. No other person should be seen or heard at any time.
• Each video must be in one continuous take, with no editing (titles, cuts, cropping, etc.) for the duration of the submitted video. All excerpts within each set must be performed to ensure your application is assessed.
Instrument Positioning Guidelines
Violin & Viola Face slightly to your left, so the fingerboard is visible and not obstructed by a music stand. F Holes should point towards the camera.
Cello & Double Bass Face slightly to your right, so the fingerboard is visible and not obstructed by a music stand
Woodwind Ensure your hands are visible and keys are not obstructed by a music stand.
Brass Do not point the bell directly towards the camera.
Harp Face towards your right, so both hands are visible. Foot pedals should also be visible
Piano Angle the camera so that the keyboard is not obstructed by your body and hands are visible.
Percussion Angle the camera so that the instrument is not obstructed by your body and hands are visible.
Submitting Your Audition Online
Your recorded audition should be uploaded no later than 5pm on Monday 18 October 2021. We recommend submitting before the due date to avoid last minute issues.
Please note that once you have submitted your audition videos, MfC will not accept revisions, and failure to upload by the deadline may result in non-assessment of your application.
How to complete registration and payment
1. Payment of $40 for each audition to be made through Eventbrite by clicking on the following link:
Canberra Youth Orchestra: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/canberra-youth-orchestra-2022-online- auditions-tickets-170245455741
Auditions 2022 – Information Pack 6 James McCusker Orchestra: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/james-mccusker-orchestra-2022-online- auditions-tickets-170252940127
2. Once the registration form and payment have been completed, and you have prepared the audition repertoire, upload your recordings to YouTube as a private and unlisted video by completing the following steps.
How to submit your recording 1. Go to www.youtube.com
2. Click on the Camera icon on the top right-hand side of the home screen and select <Upload Video>.
3. Select the video recording you want to upload from your computer.
4. Once the video file has been uploaded, you will be asked to enter the details of the recording. Please include the following information:
Title: 2022 CYO and/or JMO Audition, [Name], [Instrument]
Description: [name of own choice piece or title of excerpt]
Auditions 2022 – Information Pack 7 5. Do not include a Thumbnail or Playlist for the video. Select Audience as <No, it’s not made for kids>
6. Skip the option to add “Video Elements” by clicking on the <Next> button
7. Select the <Save and Publish> option and the visibility as <Private> — do not select <Schedule>
Auditions 2022 – Information Pack 8 8. Click on the <Save> button in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen
9. You will receive a text box showing “Video Published” and be asked to <Share a link>. Copy the video link address and send directly to [email protected]. Make sure you include your name, instrument and the orchestra name in the subject line when sending the link.
A video demonstration of this process can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOr7JluzEOM
If you have questions or experience any issues in submitting your audition videos, contact us on 02 61820030 or [email protected].
