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Auditions

Auditions for our 2012-2013 will be held in the fall, right around the time school starts.
If you'd like to be contacted when we publish the audition date and audition material, fill out this form.
(It's perfectly fine to fill it out even if you're not 100% sure you want to try out.)
For more info, email mmsyouthorchestra@gmail.com

If you're curious about last year's auditions, you can check out the info below.

Why Audition for MMSYO?

In its fourth year, the MMSYO is comprised of more than seventy-five students, ages nine to eighteen, representing over thirty schools in Macon, Warner Robins, Perry, and the surrounding areas, and reaching as far as McDonough and Dublin.  With students coming from all over, it’s practically like playing in honor band every week! In fact, this year, 24 MMSYO players were selected for District 11 Honor Band, and 12 MMSYO players were selected for All-State Band.

Benefits to MMSYO  players
  • Complimentary tickets to Macon Symphony Orchestra concerts
  • Chamber ensembles for our top players: Students selected for chamber ensembles will have bi-weekly
    coachings with a professional musician and will perform several times throughout the year.
    We hope that through this program students will gain valuable ensemble experience and access new
    repertoire they might not otherwise encounter.
  • A string orchestra for our developing players to prepare them for future membership in the symphony orchestra.
  • Bi-weekly sectional coachings for all symphony orchestra students: In an effort to provide our
    students with more personalized instruction, we’re increasing the number of sectional rehearsals
    from a few times a semester to every other week. Sectional rehearsals will be by     professional musicians of Macon Symphony Orchestra, Mercer University Faculty, and Mercer University students

What's New This Year?

  • In an effort to give our string orchestra players more "side-by-side" performance opportunities, the string orchestra will rehearse on Monday nights this year. This will allow for joint rehearsals with the full and string orchestras and mentoring opportunities for full orchestra students.
  • Flute choir will now meet on Monday nights from 6:30 - 8.  From 6:30 - 7:15, all flutes from the full orchestra AND other interested flutists will rehearse together.

Things you should know before auditioning

  • MMSYO full orchestra meets every Monday night from 6:30 - 9
  • The string orchestra meets every Monday night from 5 - 6:15 (note the change from Thursdays!)
  • MMSYO players are allowed 3 absences during the season.  Please see our rehearsal schedule to check for conflicts and put these dates on your calendar.
  • MMSYO expects players to attend EVERY concert during the season.  Please see our 2011  - 2012 concert schedule to check for conflicts and put these dates on your calendar.

MMSYO Ensembles for the 2011-2012 Season

Full Orchestra
The Full Orchestra is our top ensemble for winds, strings, and percussion.
The Full Orchestra rehearses on Monday evenings from 6:30 - 9pm and performs 5-8 concerts each season. 

String Orchestra
In the 2010-2011 season, MMSYO founded a new string orchestra for developing players to prepare them for future membership in the Full Orchestra.
The String Orchestra will meet on Monday evenings from 5 - 6:15 this year. 
Students may choose to audition specifically for the String Orchestra. 
Some students may be asked to play in both the Full Orchestra and the String Orchestra. 
For these students, participation in the Full Orchestra is contingent upon attendance at String Orchestra rehearsals and performances. 

Chamber Ensembles
Select players will have the chance to join chamber ensembles coached by professional musicians.  Chamber ensembles will meet every other week. 
There is no additional audition material for these ensembles.  Your audition for the Symphony Orchestra will serve as your audition for the chamber ensemble. 

The following chamber ensembles will be offered:
String Quartet (violin, violin, viola, cello)
Woodwind Quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn)
Brass Quintet (trumpet, trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba)
Percussion Ensemble
Flute Choir (all flutes from full orchestra and other interested players)

Auditions

String Orchestra Auditions: Monday, August 22
Full Orchestra Violins: Monday, August 22
Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion: Saturday, August 27
(overflow may audition on Sunday, August 28)
Full Orchestra Violas, Celli, and Bass: Sunday, August 28
All auditions are at Mercer University

To sign up for an audition

1) Fill out the student information form here. This is for returning members AND new members.
2) Go here to print your music.
3) Look out for an email from us to schedule your audition day and time.

When you sign up for an audition...

Returners -- You can earn a $50 gift card to a place of your choosing if you recruit the most new players!

Newcomers -- Remember to fill in your friend's name on the student information form so he or she gets credit for recruiting you to MMSYO!