PVYO results

[Anonymous]

YAA Orchestra auditions are by video and still open - focus on Broadway style rather than classical

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:someone mentioned DCPYO. How's that? It seems it is easy to get in and there are some good perform opportunities.

DCYOP has a really different mission than MCYO or PVYO. The first sees itself as identifying and nurturing talent that might not have a lot of exposure or access to instrumental music. That, ironically, can mean that the workload is more intense in the mid- and higher-level orchestras because the assumption is that DCYOP is providing the lion's share of the musical education. It is racially and economically integrated, tight-knit, and less competitive in the best sense (far less drama about chair challenges, etc). However, their highest level orchestra is really good because they put time into nurturing talent (including free or reduced price private lessons for promising low income kids).

MCYO and PCYO serve MC/UMC families who want a high level orchestra experience beyond what school orchestras can provide. That's fine, but it's just an entirely different mission.

They are not middle class at all. It very expensive.

PVYO is attainable for middle class, MCYO not so much.

MCYO maxes out at $1090 for its top ensemble (less for the others, and it does offer financial aid.) It has three concerts a year. Last year PVYO was $550 and had two concerts. (I think at least in the past PVYO has taken January off?)

$1K is a lot of money for a lot of us and they also require private lessons, which you forget to mention. And, you pay for each concert.

$550 is more reasonable.

However, MCYO has a lot more staff and overhead.

Yeah, we're now up to $5K+/year between MCYO fees and lessons. It's nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter audition for 6th grade mcyo and was denied a seat. She is really good and i am wondering is it because she didn’t start with them at a young age or because during the audition their was a single judge grading her performance and just didn’t like her. They also don’t provide any feedback on why she wasn’t selected. I think for a $75 registration fee, the least they can do is give some idea why she wasn’t selected. Like if you really cared about music and helping students nurture their love for music (as they supposedly claim), you could at least tell them what they can improve on. All these practices make me wonder how true and corrupt their audition and selection process really is.

My kid (now in college) joined MCYO soph year of HS, on an unusual instrument. But it's really competitive; if you don't play an unusual instrument, it's brutally hard.

My kid didn't get in until 10th, on violin. We were pleasantly surprised since the competition is insane for that instrument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:someone mentioned DCPYO. How's that? It seems it is easy to get in and there are some good perform opportunities.

DCYOP has a really different mission than MCYO or PVYO. The first sees itself as identifying and nurturing talent that might not have a lot of exposure or access to instrumental music. That, ironically, can mean that the workload is more intense in the mid- and higher-level orchestras because the assumption is that DCYOP is providing the lion's share of the musical education. It is racially and economically integrated, tight-knit, and less competitive in the best sense (far less drama about chair challenges, etc). However, their highest level orchestra is really good because they put time into nurturing talent (including free or reduced price private lessons for promising low income kids).

MCYO and PCYO serve MC/UMC families who want a high level orchestra experience beyond what school orchestras can provide. That's fine, but it's just an entirely different mission.

They are not middle class at all. It very expensive.

PVYO is attainable for middle class, MCYO not so much.

MCYO maxes out at $1090 for its top ensemble (less for the others, and it does offer financial aid.) It has three concerts a year. Last year PVYO was $550 and had two concerts. (I think at least in the past PVYO has taken January off?)

$1K is a lot of money for a lot of us and they also require private lessons, which you forget to mention. And, you pay for each concert.

$550 is more reasonable.

However, MCYO has a lot more staff and overhead.

Yeah, we're now up to $5K+/year between MCYO fees and lessons. It's nuts.

I did not add it up but we are close to that between the MCYO fees, private lessons, clothing and concert tickets.

[Anonymous]

If it makes you feel any better, I’m about 8k a year and my kid isn’t even interested in the orchestra. Just wants to continue lessons.

[Anonymous]

Back to the original question: my kid heard from PVYO today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Back to the original question: my kid heard from PVYO today.

Did they get in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel any better, I’m about 8k a year and my kid isn’t even interested in the orchestra. Just wants to continue lessons.

Then, why pay that much? We could never afford that much, so no, doesn't make me feel better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to the original question: my kid heard from PVYO today.

Did they get in?

Np. My kid did, Philharmonia violin. Trying to figure out if DC can manage that plus MCYO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to the original question: my kid heard from PVYO today.

Did they get in?

Np. My kid did, Philharmonia violin. Trying to figure out if DC can manage that plus MCYO.

Congrat's. I would do one or the other. Two is a lot, plus school and other activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to the original question: my kid heard from PVYO today.

Did they get in?

Np. My kid did, Philharmonia violin. Trying to figure out if DC can manage that plus MCYO.

Congrat's. I would do one or the other. Two is a lot, plus school and other activities.

Thanks, it would definitely be a lot (plus heavy hw load in magnet program). Parents are thinking probably no to PVYO but DC would really like to do both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to the original question: my kid heard from PVYO today.

Did they get in?

Np. My kid did, Philharmonia violin. Trying to figure out if DC can manage that plus MCYO.

Congrat's. I would do one or the other. Two is a lot, plus school and other activities.

Thanks, it would definitely be a lot (plus heavy hw load in magnet program). Parents are thinking probably no to PVYO but DC would really like to do both.

I would do MCYO if money isn't an issue. Between the weekly meeting, the private lesson, and the other stuff MCYO requires depending on your instrument like sectionals, it can be a lot.

[Anonymous]

Np. Need to choose between a mcyo small ensemble or pvyo concert band. Does anyone have any insight between those options?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel any better, I’m about 8k a year and my kid isn’t even interested in the orchestra. Just wants to continue lessons.

Then, why pay that much? We could never afford that much, so no, doesn't make me feel better.

He’s quite good and in a magnet program that takes too much of his time. We can afford it. It’s better than a lot of things we can waste money on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter audition for 6th grade mcyo and was denied a seat. She is really good and i am wondering is it because she didn’t start with them at a young age or because during the audition their was a single judge grading her performance and just didn’t like her. They also don’t provide any feedback on why she wasn’t selected. I think for a $75 registration fee, the least they can do is give some idea why she wasn’t selected. Like if you really cared about music and helping students nurture their love for music (as they supposedly claim), you could at least tell them what they can improve on. All these practices make me wonder how true and corrupt their audition and selection process really is.

They didn't deny her a seat. They didn't offer her a seat and I know kids offered who were older so maybe your child isn't playing on the MCYO level you think they are. Many kids have been in private lessons for several years by 6th grade and the skill level is amazing. You also have to know how to sight read and many other requirements. They cannot take everyone and only have limited seats, especially depending on the instrument.

Its absolutely not corrupt because your child didn't get in. When mine got in, honestly I was surprised.

OP here. My daughter has had private lessons for the past four years and her private teacher is the one who came to us and said she is ready to play for mcyo. We didn’t even know of its existence. She knew all the requirements forward and back and can sight read for the past two years. I am not saying they are corrupt but suggesting that they might be corrupt and that transparency is not there., including no feedback whatsoever. So other families can be aware if they are in the same situation as us. Also, u are surprised your child got in…this is what I mean there doesn’t seem to be consistency And transparency in the process. It’s seems like the have a hidden agenda for their results. Congrats on your child getting in!

New poster here.

My child has been concertmaster/principal second of MCYO a few years in a row.
They have been playing seriously for many years, with private instruction twice a week from a demanding private instructor. Their skill level is such that when they look at the audition pieces, they find it very easy, and don't need to practice much. They focus on the solo, which is always a piece they're working on with their teacher and is technically miles beyond the skills that the excerpts require.

Also, please note that for violin, there is an ENORMOUS range of skill - equivalent to several years worth of lessons!!! - between the concertmaster(s) and the least skilled violinist they accept in that same orchestra. So if a child is not accepted, it really means they did not have the required level, and would bring that orchestra down.
Violin auditions are the most competitive, simply because so many kids choose violin as their instrument. I know some kids who deliberately switch to double bass or viola because their chances of being selected increase substantially. This is why you cannot compare orchestral admission across instruments.

If your child's heart is set on MCYO, take advantage of the ages for which they can apply to two different orchestras at the same time, because the age range overlaps by one year. For example in 6th grade, I believe a child can apply to both Chamber Strings and Young Artists. They will prepare the excerpts from both orchestras, but have just one audition, and be placed in the orchestra most suited to their level.

Also, and most importantly, children cannot learn unless they fail. It's perfectly fine to be rejected, or not win the prize, or not make the cut, as a child. This is what builds resilience. You the parent have to reinforce that constructive interpretation and keep encouraging them to move forward. If they want to try again another time, please bear in mind that the excerpts have to be irreproachable - they are the most important segment of the audition, since they are usually part of the pieces that will be played at the December concert. The scales must be in tune, and not just approximately. Ideally the solo would showcase phrasing and techniques not present in the excerpts. Even if your child plays on a "violin-shaped box", or equivalent on another instrument, the conductor will be able to distinguish your kid's skill from the instrument's limitations.

So please don't make such insinuations as the bolded. They are not true, and very unfair, given the MCYO staff really cares about their students and the quality of their orchestras. I agree that it would be great if they could give feedback. I suspect they don't because auditions are grueling, for the (usually one and only) conductor in the room, and they see hundreds of students back to back. All they'd say anyway is: "more technical skill needed" because 99% of the time, that's what it is. But you can always ask for feedback and suggest they gather more staff to write up notes for the candidates. They will probably have a hard time finding people who want to work in August, though.

Best of luck to you and your kid! Music is always worthwhile.