Young musicians performing advanced repertoire that will challenge and inspire
Abilene Youth Orchestra – Spring Auditions
The AYO exists for the benefit of young musicians, responds to their needs, and keeps their interest in music education paramount. It is open for students from 9th grade- 12th grade.
The Abilene Youth Orchestra (AYO) is a full symphony youth orchestra that provides a unique opportunity for talented young musicians in the Big Country to perform advanced repertoire that will challenge and inspire.
Auditions are currently open for all instruments. Our Spring semester will begin on January 24, 2025
All Instruments: Play a prepared solo: either a portion of a standard concerto, sonata, solo and ensemble piece, etc. You may also play region etudes, but bring in a portion of a technical etude and a lyrical etude.
Woodwinds, Brass, & Percussion: Choose 2 major scales from the following keys: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, or A (up to 3 sharps/3 flats). Play 1-2 octaves, all slurred or slur 2 / tongue 2, at a tempo you can play accurately.
Strings Scales: Choose 2 major scales from the following keys: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, or A (up to 3 sharps, 3 flats). Play 2-3 octaves, 1 or 2 notes per bow, full bow, at a tempo you can play accurately.
For more information, including audition requirements, click below.
Abilene Youth Strings- Spring Auditions
The Abilene Youth Strings (AYS) is a class for string players ready for a new challenge, but not quite ready for the demands of the advanced AYO repertoire. This high energy class will help students improve string technique, music literacy, and more advanced sightreading skills. It is open for students from 5th grade- 9th grade. AYS is open for all strings: violin, viola, cello, and bass.
Registration is currently open for all instruments. Our Spring semester will begin on January 24, 2025. A skill check will be needed upon registering for AYS. This is to place students within the string ensemble correctly.
AYS SKILL CHECK PREPARATION
The goal of the skill check is to place you where you will most comfortably play within AYS. This is not an audtion, because if you want to participate – you are already in!
For your skill check: Please play something that represents the best of your ability. This could be a piece you have prepared for a previous audtion, or a song that you play well.
Also, choose 1 major scale from the following keys: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, or A (up to 3 sharps / 3 flats). Play 1-2 octaves, 1-2 notes per box, full bow, at a tempo you can play accurately.
Mission: Strings Pt. II
Registration for Mission Strings Part Two will reopen Fall of 2025.
Mission: Strings
In Mission: Strings, students will learn beginning strings skills on the instrument of their choice- violin, viola, cello, or bass- alongside a small class of string student beginners. They will showcase their skills in a concert in both the Fall and the Spring. It is open for beginners 3rd grade +.
Registration for Mission Strings will reopen Fall of 2025.