Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. When DC was auditioning for AYPO at 11, his teacher told me that kids are around Suzuki book 3-4 level. Fwiw

If that's generally true for all of them, then they're behind MCYO.

Probably depends on what they’re auditioning for. Debut orchestra probably doesn’t require much higher standards (2+ years of private instruction).

The debut orchestra is Preparatory Strings. An 11yo would need to audition for Young Artists.

MCYO Young Artists are definitely playing above the Suzuki book 3-4 level.

She'd go into Young Artists. The staff is amazing and the conductor is wonderful. We've had a fantastic experience in YA. It's worth trying out. If you will not be here for auditions reach out as I would think they'd work with you. Auditions are usually in August. It's very hard to get into but I know kids who have so don't assume she will not get in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. When DC was auditioning for AYPO at 11, his teacher told me that kids are around Suzuki book 3-4 level. Fwiw

If that's generally true for all of them, then they're behind MCYO.

Probably depends on what they’re auditioning for. Debut orchestra probably doesn’t require much higher standards (2+ years of private instruction).

Wanted to add that a friend’s child who is in the String Ensemble is at Kabalevsky level.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. When DC was auditioning for AYPO at 11, his teacher told me that kids are around Suzuki book 3-4 level. Fwiw

If that's generally true for all of them, then they're behind MCYO.

Probably depends on what they’re auditioning for. Debut orchestra probably doesn’t require much higher standards (2+ years of private instruction).

Anonymous wrote:NP. When DC was auditioning for AYPO at 11, his teacher told me that kids are around Suzuki book 3-4 level. Fwiw

If that's generally true for all of them, then they're behind MCYO.

NP. When DC was auditioning for AYPO at 11, his teacher told me that kids are around Suzuki book 3-4 level. Fwiw

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all for very informative responses. She is currently playing Vivaldi g minor concerto and various etudes. She will be 12 in the summer, going into 7th grade in September so it looks like Young Artists is the only option.

If she plays it as a professional would, and has flawless excerpts, she's in. However generally students who are assigned such a piece are beginners, and that will become obvious in the audition. So better start practicing!

Thank you all for very informative responses. She is currently playing Vivaldi g minor concerto and various etudes. She will be 12 in the summer, going into 7th grade in September so it looks like Young Artists is the only option.

Anonymous wrote:How good is AYPO?

In the same category as MCYO.
Then a rung lower is the one in DC.
Then it's the rest.

How good is AYPO?

I will add that your DD should also look into DCYOP: https://www.dcyop.org/

The program is very well funded, and is less cut throat than MCYO.

As the PP said, very competitive. However, also keep in mind that they tend to be fairly strict about not allowing kids into higher level orchestras until they're a certain age, regardless of ability. So, a 10 year old could be playing a very good Sibelius, and they'd still only be eligible for Chamber Strings.

Their website is very good, and they put out the repertoire for the previous season. That should give you a fairly good idea of where your DD stands.

What sort of repertoire is she currently playing?

She needs to be physically present in late August when auditions are being held and live in MD that year. She is also required to have private lessons in her instrument all year.

Placement is ranked and decided on performance during the audition. The top spots are often rotated during the year between a handful of the best players (concertmaster, assistance concertmaster, principal second and assistant principal second).

There is a wide range of skill among the violinists, due in part to their numbers in each orchestra. My similarly-aged child is concertmaster of their orchestra, has played since they were very little, and has two lessons a week with a professional soloist. It's their main extra-curricular. But the kids at the back of the second violins are not anywhere near that level, and probably started a few years ago, with one lesson a week at a relaxed teaching studio or music school.

At her age, I believe your child can register for both Chamber Strings (strings only, 4-6th grade) and Young Artists (first full orchestra, 6-8th grade). This gives her a chance of being accepted into Chamber if she doesn't get into Young Artists.
Click on the appropriate links on this page to see the solo, scale, sight-reading and excerpt requirements:
https://mcyo.org/?page_id=161

The solo is mostly to determine her musicality and expression, and maybe show off advanced technique. The scales and excerpts need to be as perfect as possible. Follow every single dynamic, fingering and bow marking to the letter, since they are looking for students who can follow directions. The excerpts will be played in full during that same year. She can practice sight-reading by herself or with her teacher. Usually the sight-reading is just a single line.

MCYO is very competitive! If she definitely wants to do a youth orchestra, you might want to have her apply also to a second one. (For us, living in Montgomery County, that was PVYO.)

DD11 plays violin. we are currently abroad and she would like to audition for MCYO. how competitive are these auditions?