The very nature of youth orchestras means that each summer we say goodbye to our older members as they leave to take up their places at university and music conservatoire. We then wait with some curiosity to see who will request an audition in the new academic season.

Membership of the Wessex Youth Orchestra is subject to a short audition. To request an audition:

- string players should be of a strong grade 5 standard* or above.
- Wind, brass and percussion players should be of a strong grade 6 standard* or above.

*It is not necessary to have taken any exams, we simply use them as a guide.

All applicants should have passed or have the equivalent knowledge of a pass at grade 5 music theory.

Applicants will be expected to play a well-prepared short piece preferably with two contrasting sections or alternatively - two short contrasting pieces.  They will also be given some orchestral sight-reading, and will also be asked to play a scale or two, according to what they are presently studying.

Whilst an audition may seem a little daunting to prospective new WYO members, we keep it as informal as possible. After all, becoming a member of the Wessex Youth Orchestra is a positive experience, and we wouldn’t want to start it with a negative one!

2010-11 Season

Auditions for the 2010/11 season start on Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th of September from 5.30pm onwards. We are currently accepting audition applications for the new season and would encourage young musicians wishing to apply for the WYO to send in their application early! Audition spaces in September are limited!

The WYO will begin rehearsing on Saturday 2nd October. Further audition dates will be announced in the “Stop Press” on the CWYM home page, so keep a look out for the latest information. Audition times can also be booked throughout the term – taking place before and after Saturday rehearsals.
The WYO will begin rehearsing on Saturday 3rd October.

There are currently vacancies in most sections.  To enquire about vacancies for your individual instrument and to book an audition time, please contact Susanna Riddell.

If you join the “Wessex”, you’ll be following in the footsteps of 1000s of young musicians before you…

…so what are you waiting for?!!

Orchestral Playing Hints!

Flautists – how is your piccolo playing? The piccolo is a vital part of the flute section’s sound. We are particularly keen to hear from flautists either with piccolo playing experience or who intend to start playing the instrument in the very near future.

Saxophonists – the saxophone is not a standard orchestral instrument and as such, not all orchestral music requires a saxophone. This means that we are unable to offer permanent places to saxophonists. However, if an applicant plays another instrument as well as the sax to the required audition standard, we can look at the possibility of accepting the applicant on their alternative instrument and have them transfer to the sax as and when needed.

Trumpeters – be prepared! Transposition will become an important part of your everyday orchestral playing. Not all trumpet parts are written for trumpets in Bb! Don’t forget all your theory – you’ll need it to be able to transpose successfully.   

Trombonists – which clef are you most comfortable playing from? Orchestral trombone music uses a variety of clefs – bass, tenor and even the alto clef. The best way to learn these clefs is from playing in an orchestra, but you should have at least some understanding of how each of them work before you join.

Violinists – if you have any viola playing experience, you should expect to audition on both instruments. If you have not played the viola before but are interested in taking it up, the CWYM is happy to lend violas free of charge to any CWYM member wishing to try out the instrument.

Viola players – should be comfortable playing from both the alto and treble clefs!

Cellists – don’t be surprised! You of course are used to playing from the bass clef and should by now have done some work on the tenor clef. But how is your treble clef?! It will happen! Again – the best place to practise using these higher clefs is in the orchestra, but make sure you have started work on them before you join so that you have a good chance of mastering them during rehearsals!