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Join CPYO

Are you a musician who is ... 
                passionate about performing masterworks that span the ages?
                  driven to improve orchestral musicianship skills and techniques?
                        enthusiastic about being part of a community of dedicated musicians?

CPYO is seeking talented musicians who wish to contribute their ability and love of music to an orchestra filled with friends and peers and who are ready to commit to weekly rehearsals, which begin in September and end in May.

Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestras

We are excited to announce new programs and opportunities for our CPYO students. Please check out the descriptions of all of our offerings below.

Central Pennsylvania Youth Chamber String Orchestra

The Chamber Orchestra program remains unchanged and serves young string players (ranging in age from 10 to 18) seeking to experience their first orchestral training in a nurturing learning environment. This orchestra performs a variety of repertoire ranging from grade 1+.

Central Pennsylvania Youth Symphony Orchestra

The Symphony Orchestra combines the Chamber String Orchestra with winds/brass/percussion. Wind/brass/percussion musicians ages 12-18 are encouraged to audition for this program. This program is intended to nurture and train excellent young musicians in the art of orchestral playing. Students will rehearse advanced arrangements and original compositions ranging from grade 3+.

Central Pennsylvania Primary Orchestra

The Primary Orchestra is intended for string players ages 6-12 years old. The orchestra will focus on building ensemble fundamentals and challenge students to learn how to play in an orchestra. Students in this program are required to have a private teacher in addition to this program. Students will rehearse and perform grade .5 to 1 grade school orchestra repertoire.

Audition Requirements:

All auditions will be virtual and a video copy of the auditions should be embedded into our audition form or emailed directly to PASCP at frontdesk@pascp.org or to Anthony Fortuna, the orchestra director, at afortunaww@gmail.com.

ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
When you prepare your solo(s), choose a piece that BEST demonstrates your ability. Do NOT play something that is a work in progress. Play something that shows you at your BEST, even if it means performing something a little easier than you are currently playing.

WHAT WE ARE LISTENING FOR:
We are listening first and foremost to your tone. It must be characteristic in all registers of the instrument. There must be an energy to your sound and a commitment to the required dynamics and articulation.

We are listening for correct notes and intonation, especially in the outer registers of the instrument.

We are listening for rhythmic accuracy, especially with regard to dotted rhythms - we are also listening that longer notes have the correct number of subdivided notes within it to maintain the correct relationship (i.e. dotted-quarter contains 3 eighth-notes…no more, no fewer.)

We’re listening for evidence of hard work and preparation.

REMEMBER:  AUDITIONS ARE SIMPLY A WAY TO JUDGE YOUR READINESS FOR THIS EXPERIENCE. NO ONE WILL BE DENIED MEMBERSHIP SOLELY ON ONE PORTION OF THE AUDITION. SO RELAX AND PLAY YOUR BEST!