MCYO audtions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is interesting that there seems to be such a focus on violin over other instruments. I am not a music person but as an outsider I don't understand why. My kid chose a difficult brass instrument and I think it worked out really well for him. Not a lot of kids play it so the orchestras are happy he is trying out and they are looking for a reason to take him (vs looking for a reason to reject him because they have so many kids playing his instrument).

All the lower level orchestras are strings only, of which, violin is the dominant instrument (in sheer numbers). Usually, by the time kids are old/skilled enough to be playing in full orchestras, all the petty nonsense is behind them.

if you pick a less common instrument you can avoid a lot of it altogether.

I’m always happy my kid plays the viola. Viola players and parents are much chiller.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is interesting that there seems to be such a focus on violin over other instruments. I am not a music person but as an outsider I don't understand why. My kid chose a difficult brass instrument and I think it worked out really well for him. Not a lot of kids play it so the orchestras are happy he is trying out and they are looking for a reason to take him (vs looking for a reason to reject him because they have so many kids playing his instrument).

All the lower level orchestras are strings only, of which, violin is the dominant instrument (in sheer numbers). Usually, by the time kids are old/skilled enough to be playing in full orchestras, all the petty nonsense is behind them.

if you pick a less common instrument you can avoid a lot of it altogether.

I’m always happy my kid plays the viola. Viola players and parents are much chiller.

The cello parents seem nice too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCYO is a very cutthroat and toxic environment, my daughter is in young Artist, she has been there for the past three years. The auditions seems inclusive and make it look like they accept people of all races, but they only pick Asians (really Chinese) to play for their orchestra. It’s terribly one sided, quite obvious, initially jarring and totally unfair in my opinion and I AM Chinese. The student violinist are very competitive and clique and don’t like new people joining. The clique groups are made up of kids who have been in mcyo for the past five years. I don’t want to discourage you from auditioning…but just wanted you to be aware of the MCYO culture.

My daughter is one of the concertmasters of YA this year and she has made friends with all her seatmates. In fact, my daughter, who is NOT Chinese, has been part of three orchestras in MCYO - Prep Strings, Chamber Strings and YA - and has consistently loved the experience. The two conductors Mr. Orozco and Mrs. Poling are amusing and engaging and are excellent at their job.

In all the years we've been part of this organization, I can guarantee that there has been no toxicity and nothing has been cutthroat. The conductors go to great lengths to share the top seats, every year. They do not offer solos, or very short ones, because again, their goal is to have students play together, instead of giving more limelight to the more talented students.

People have the wrong idea about MCYO because they are racist - they see it has a majority of Asian students; and because parents don't understand how something that is audition-based and high level could not be cut-throat. But it's not. Once you're in, there is no cutthroat. And if don't get in, you can always audition the following year. During the audition, it's the best players who get in, regardless of ethnicity. Surely that's how it should be! Don't you want kids to be rewarded for their hard work? My daughter has worked VERY hard for years to play at the level she does. She and all the other students who work hard deserve to be there.

Do you know why it seems you always see the same kids every year? It's because they love it, and want to return, and have the level to be accepted back every year. There is no other orchestra they could apply to that has that level of play. They cannot go anywhere else. And yet MCYO makes them audition anyway, because they want to make sure they are being fair.

It's disheartening to see posters such as the one above dragging the good name of MCYO through the mud.

If they want to be fair…shouldn’t they do blind auditions?

I cannot imagine given the staff that they are looking at race at all. But, many of us often would never think to even apply. I looked at it for my child, ruled it out thinking no way, reached out just out of curiosity and they encouraged us to apply, talked me through it all and my child got in. All the staff we have dealt with have gone above and beyond for our family regularly and really responsive. We are not Asian.

I think the cost is a huge issue although they have financial aid between the orchestra costs and the private lesson requirements it really adds up. Plus, you have to pay extra for the concerts.

Just curious how much MCYO tuition is? I can't find anything on their website on tuition fees. Is it true the audience pays $10 a ticket for the concerts?

It depends on the group but we pay I want to say around $1000, maybe slightly less plus private weekly lessons (required) and concerts. Tickets usually range from $10-50 per person. They do offer financial assistance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too have wondered why Asian kids focus so heavily on piano and violin. You would think a few more would try horn or tuba or bassoon, all of which are desperate to find players. It’s a lot easier to get a bassoon spot at an Ivy League orchestra than it is a violin spot.

My kid plays the French horn and she has really benefited from the lack of competition. She has a really good ear (honed through piano lessons and choir from a young age), and loves playing, but it’s also nice that it’s easier to be a “star” in her realm. To be a star violinist takes at least 2 hrs of practice a day by middle school and then more from then on. Not so for the more obscure instruments.

I think the reason is that Asian parents value what kids learn from early music training as much as or more than the music or instrument - the violin is difficult because it requires a lot of concentration and mental effort but physically is easy to play. Woodwind instruments require breath control, embouchure, etc. There are fractional violins and cellos for young children but for woodwind instruments, a child needs to be nearly full grown to be able to start playing it. Soprano recorders are the notable exception, fwiw.

So a child can start violin very young and learn discipline and also learn to play nice music with relaxation while a child must be older to start French horn or bassoon or flute. Then after years of practice, they learn to play with relaxation, but physically, it is more demanding.

have you tried playing the violin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too have wondered why Asian kids focus so heavily on piano and violin. You would think a few more would try horn or tuba or bassoon, all of which are desperate to find players. It’s a lot easier to get a bassoon spot at an Ivy League orchestra than it is a violin spot.

My kid plays the French horn and she has really benefited from the lack of competition. She has a really good ear (honed through piano lessons and choir from a young age), and loves playing, but it’s also nice that it’s easier to be a “star” in her realm. To be a star violinist takes at least 2 hrs of practice a day by middle school and then more from then on. Not so for the more obscure instruments.

I think the reason is that Asian parents value what kids learn from early music training as much as or more than the music or instrument - the violin is difficult because it requires a lot of concentration and mental effort but physically is easy to play. Woodwind instruments require breath control, embouchure, etc. There are fractional violins and cellos for young children but for woodwind instruments, a child needs to be nearly full grown to be able to start playing it. Soprano recorders are the notable exception, fwiw.

So a child can start violin very young and learn discipline and also learn to play nice music with relaxation while a child must be older to start French horn or bassoon or flute. Then after years of practice, they learn to play with relaxation, but physically, it is more demanding.

have you tried playing the violin?

I think they meant in terms of physical resistance, and strength requirements. Obviously not easy coordination-wise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is interesting that there seems to be such a focus on violin over other instruments. I am not a music person but as an outsider I don't understand why. My kid chose a difficult brass instrument and I think it worked out really well for him. Not a lot of kids play it so the orchestras are happy he is trying out and they are looking for a reason to take him (vs looking for a reason to reject him because they have so many kids playing his instrument).

All the lower level orchestras are strings only, of which, violin is the dominant instrument (in sheer numbers). Usually, by the time kids are old/skilled enough to be playing in full orchestras, all the petty nonsense is behind them.

if you pick a less common instrument you can avoid a lot of it altogether.

I’m always happy my kid plays the viola. Viola players and parents are much chiller.

Easy to be chiller when there is so much less competition your kid is basically guaranteed a spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too have wondered why Asian kids focus so heavily on piano and violin. You would think a few more would try horn or tuba or bassoon, all of which are desperate to find players. It’s a lot easier to get a bassoon spot at an Ivy League orchestra than it is a violin spot.

My kid plays the French horn and she has really benefited from the lack of competition. She has a really good ear (honed through piano lessons and choir from a young age), and loves playing, but it’s also nice that it’s easier to be a “star” in her realm. To be a star violinist takes at least 2 hrs of practice a day by middle school and then more from then on. Not so for the more obscure instruments.

I think the reason is that Asian parents value what kids learn from early music training as much as or more than the music or instrument - the violin is difficult because it requires a lot of concentration and mental effort but physically is easy to play. Woodwind instruments require breath control, embouchure, etc. There are fractional violins and cellos for young children but for woodwind instruments, a child needs to be nearly full grown to be able to start playing it. Soprano recorders are the notable exception, fwiw.

So a child can start violin very young and learn discipline and also learn to play nice music with relaxation while a child must be older to start French horn or bassoon or flute. Then after years of practice, they learn to play with relaxation, but physically, it is more demanding.

have you tried playing the violin?

It requires fine motor control but not strength. Tiny kids can easily press down the strings and pull the bow. The hard part about the violin is mental. I've played several instruments including violin, woodwind and percussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is interesting that there seems to be such a focus on violin over other instruments. I am not a music person but as an outsider I don't understand why. My kid chose a difficult brass instrument and I think it worked out really well for him. Not a lot of kids play it so the orchestras are happy he is trying out and they are looking for a reason to take him (vs looking for a reason to reject him because they have so many kids playing his instrument).

All the lower level orchestras are strings only, of which, violin is the dominant instrument (in sheer numbers). Usually, by the time kids are old/skilled enough to be playing in full orchestras, all the petty nonsense is behind them.

if you pick a less common instrument you can avoid a lot of it altogether.

I’m always happy my kid plays the viola. Viola players and parents are much chiller.

Easy to be chiller when there is so much less competition your kid is basically guaranteed a spot.

It might too that the viola is naturally in the background so the people who seek public recognition and the limelight for their kids won't choose it. Same with the double bass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I too have wondered why Asian kids focus so heavily on piano and violin. You would think a few more would try horn or tuba or bassoon, all of which are desperate to find players. It’s a lot easier to get a bassoon spot at an Ivy League orchestra than it is a violin spot.

My kid plays the French horn and she has really benefited from the lack of competition. She has a really good ear (honed through piano lessons and choir from a young age), and loves playing, but it’s also nice that it’s easier to be a “star” in her realm. To be a star violinist takes at least 2 hrs of practice a day by middle school and then more from then on. Not so for the more obscure instruments.

I think the reason is that Asian parents value what kids learn from early music training as much as or more than the music or instrument - the violin is difficult because it requires a lot of concentration and mental effort but physically is easy to play. Woodwind instruments require breath control, embouchure, etc. There are fractional violins and cellos for young children but for woodwind instruments, a child needs to be nearly full grown to be able to start playing it. Soprano recorders are the notable exception, fwiw.

So a child can start violin very young and learn discipline and also learn to play nice music with relaxation while a child must be older to start French horn or bassoon or flute. Then after years of practice, they learn to play with relaxation, but physically, it is more demanding.

have you tried playing the violin?

I was giving my perspective as a multi-instrumentalist and a parent of children taking lessons on various instruments, both chosen by parent (piano) and self-chosen by child (piano, violin, trumpet, flute).

What is your opinion?

[Anonymous]

NP and related question. I have a 10 year old. She'll be in 6th next year. We weren't in town last August to try for MCYO. She is in book 3/4 suzuki.

I'd guess she's not at the level of play of mcyo chamber orchestra to be accepted but she's far better than the rest of the kids in her school orchestra. She practices 30-60 mins a day. We belong to a church orchestra nearby but it's not that serious either. She's bored in both orchestras with the level of play.

Is there another orchestra that you all would recommend? This is for a kid who likes playing with other people, seems to enjoy the camaraderie with the orchestra kids, but has no plans to do it in college or afterwards or anything. I doubt I could increase her time commitment towards it either (she has other hobbies and sports that she likes and wants to spend time in). Also, I don't think she'd opt for anything competitive or high pressure (just not her personality). We are in MoCo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is interesting that there seems to be such a focus on violin over other instruments. I am not a music person but as an outsider I don't understand why. My kid chose a difficult brass instrument and I think it worked out really well for him. Not a lot of kids play it so the orchestras are happy he is trying out and they are looking for a reason to take him (vs looking for a reason to reject him because they have so many kids playing his instrument).

All the lower level orchestras are strings only, of which, violin is the dominant instrument (in sheer numbers). Usually, by the time kids are old/skilled enough to be playing in full orchestras, all the petty nonsense is behind them.

if you pick a less common instrument you can avoid a lot of it altogether.

I’m always happy my kid plays the viola. Viola players and parents are much chiller.

Is it hard to switch from viola to violin? My kid is definitely the type that avoids the limelight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is interesting that there seems to be such a focus on violin over other instruments. I am not a music person but as an outsider I don't understand why. My kid chose a difficult brass instrument and I think it worked out really well for him. Not a lot of kids play it so the orchestras are happy he is trying out and they are looking for a reason to take him (vs looking for a reason to reject him because they have so many kids playing his instrument).

All the lower level orchestras are strings only, of which, violin is the dominant instrument (in sheer numbers). Usually, by the time kids are old/skilled enough to be playing in full orchestras, all the petty nonsense is behind them.

if you pick a less common instrument you can avoid a lot of it altogether.

I’m always happy my kid plays the viola. Viola players and parents are much chiller.

Is it hard to switch from viola to violin? My kid is definitely the type that avoids the limelight.

sorry i mean from violin to viola?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP and related question. I have a 10 year old. She'll be in 6th next year. We weren't in town last August to try for MCYO. She is in book 3/4 suzuki.

I'd guess she's not at the level of play of mcyo chamber orchestra to be accepted but she's far better than the rest of the kids in her school orchestra. She practices 30-60 mins a day. We belong to a church orchestra nearby but it's not that serious either. She's bored in both orchestras with the level of play.

Is there another orchestra that you all would recommend? This is for a kid who likes playing with other people, seems to enjoy the camaraderie with the orchestra kids, but has no plans to do it in college or afterwards or anything. I doubt I could increase her time commitment towards it either (she has other hobbies and sports that she likes and wants to spend time in). Also, I don't think she'd opt for anything competitive or high pressure (just not her personality). We are in MoCo.

Let them audition and see what happens. I was surprised my child was accepted. It’s been an amazing experience. Worse case they don’t get in but have the audition for next time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is interesting that there seems to be such a focus on violin over other instruments. I am not a music person but as an outsider I don't understand why. My kid chose a difficult brass instrument and I think it worked out really well for him. Not a lot of kids play it so the orchestras are happy he is trying out and they are looking for a reason to take him (vs looking for a reason to reject him because they have so many kids playing his instrument).

All the lower level orchestras are strings only, of which, violin is the dominant instrument (in sheer numbers). Usually, by the time kids are old/skilled enough to be playing in full orchestras, all the petty nonsense is behind them.

if you pick a less common instrument you can avoid a lot of it altogether.

I’m always happy my kid plays the viola. Viola players and parents are much chiller.

Is it hard to switch from viola to violin? My kid is definitely the type that avoids the limelight.

sorry i mean from violin to viola?

It is not. It can actually be quite helpful in their music education in general, and being able to switch instruments is a major plus, too. The only negative would be if you have a small child, because the instrument is larger, and more taxing physically (and IMO, smaller sized violas do not sound that great).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP and related question. I have a 10 year old. She'll be in 6th next year. We weren't in town last August to try for MCYO. She is in book 3/4 suzuki.

I'd guess she's not at the level of play of mcyo chamber orchestra to be accepted but she's far better than the rest of the kids in her school orchestra. She practices 30-60 mins a day. We belong to a church orchestra nearby but it's not that serious either. She's bored in both orchestras with the level of play.

Is there another orchestra that you all would recommend? This is for a kid who likes playing with other people, seems to enjoy the camaraderie with the orchestra kids, but has no plans to do it in college or afterwards or anything. I doubt I could increase her time commitment towards it either (she has other hobbies and sports that she likes and wants to spend time in). Also, I don't think she'd opt for anything competitive or high pressure (just not her personality). We are in MoCo.

Try DCYOP. It's a pretty good orchestra, and definitely nowhere near as competitive.