Each large ensemble of TRYPO holds seating auditions twice a year for its members. Participation in seating auditions is mandatory. Auditions are hard. It is hard to walk into a room and show a committee what you can do under pressure. The only way to learn how to do them better is by doing them. The process of mastering audition skills translates into many other areas, such as job interviews, public speaking, or any situation where you are managing nerves.
Students in any kind of performing ensemble must learn to balance a healthy competitive nature with the importance of being a team player. We want students to strive to succeed and work hard to do better, however, students must then learn to put that aside and work together (literally!) to perform great art. We hope by the time students leave TRYPO, they realize that at the end of the day, the only person you can really compete with and compare yourself against is… yourself.
YPO and SYMPHONETTE String Rotation and Audition Policy: String players will receive pdfs of music or may pick up their music before rehearsals begin and audition excerpts will be identified from those parts. String seating auditions will be held at least twice over the course of the year and will generally take place several weeks after the start of each rehearsal cycle to make sure students have access to some sectional time with the coaches. String seating auditions determine:
- Principal players and frozen stands (which do not rotate)
- Section stand partners (we try to pair students together with complementary strengths and weaknesses)
- Future violin section assignments (for returning violinists)
- Most importantly: An opportunity for TRYPO staff to ensure that each student is contributing as fully as possible to the orchestra and for us to assess the trajectory of each student’s continuing progress.
TRYPO employs a system of string section seating rotation. String players in our orchestras are not seated in rank order. String sections are then rotated on a schedule set by the conductor to allow for maximum educational and musical benefits to the members of the orchestra. Rotations are always posted on the wall of rehearsal and concert venues and the stands are labeled accordingly. Weekly adjustments due to absences are marked on the rotations, or communicated via verbal instruction from TRYPO staff.
YPO Winds, Brass, and Percussion Rotation and Audition Policy: Winds, brass, and percussion will all receive pdfs of principal parts and audition excerpts will be identified from those parts. YPO Winds, Brass, and Percussion seating auditions will be held at least twice over the course of the year and will generally take place before or very shortly after the start of each rehearsal cycle, so that students can have as much rehearsal time as possible with the parts on which they will be performing. Winds/Brass/Percussion seating auditions determine:
- Part assignments and assistant assignments for all pieces
- Most importantly: An opportunity for TRYPO staff to ensure that each student is contributing as fully as possible to the orchestra and for us to assess the trajectory of each student’s continuing progress.
Winds/Brass/Percussion part assignments will rotate when possible considering the demands of the music and the abilities of the students.