County Group Auditions – Monday 14th & Tuesday 15th October 2024
Do you play a string, brass, woodwind or percussion instrument?
Then you could play in the Somerset Youth Orchestra (SYO) or Somerset Youth Concert Band (SYCB)
WHO ARE WE?
We are the top county instrumental groups and we play real music, i.e. no simplified versions – exactly the same music and parts as professional musicians. We give concerts all over the county and abroad. We meet for a few days in the Christmas and Easter school holidays for intensive rehearsals that end with a concert. We also arrange a residential course in the summer, usually during the last week of the term.
INSTRUMENTS
The Concert Band consists of full woodwind, brass and percussion/drums sections.
The Orchestra has smaller woodwind, brass and percussion sections, with a large string section.
CAN ANYONE JOIN?
You need to be at least Grade 5 standard to join. Competition for some places can be quite tough. Most players join the groups before they are 16 and some are as young as 12. The sections are led by very experienced players and during courses, we arrange for tutors to lead sectionals.
THE AUDITION
The auditions will be held on Monday 14th October at Monkton Wood Academy, Taunton & Tuesday 15th October at Strode College, Street. You will be asked to play a prepared piece, either accompanied or unaccompanied is fine, do some sight-reading and play a few appropriate scales to a few members of the band and orchestra staff.
COST
The orchestra and band have an annual subscription of £200 to help towards the costs of tutors, venues and music. The summer residential course (optional) does carry extra expense. A summer tour can cost up to £650 per person, but payment can be spread throughout the year.
WHAT NEXT?
Complete the audition application form by Friday 4th October which is available online here
You can choose to audition for one or both groups – just tick the appropriate boxes – although you can only become a member of one as the courses sometimes run at the same time.
Sarah Alsop – Manager SYCB
Martin Wills – Manager SYO
Somerset Youth Orchestra (somersetmusic.co.uk)
Somerset Youth Concert Band (somersetmusic.co.uk)
News item added: 26 September, 2024