NVYW Auditions

Who is Eligible

NVYW Symphonic Winds is open to students, grades 6-12 who are members in good standing in their public, private, parochial or home school band. Placement and/or seating of students in their school band will not be considered in determining acceptance or placement in Symphonic Winds. Selection to the ensemble will be determined by successful audition and instrumentation needs.

What Is Expected at NVYW Auditions

• To support the mission and educational focus of high schools in Fairfax County and the Northern Virginia region, auditions for NVYW will closely parallel expectations for district and state ensembles.
• Students will be asked to prepare one or more excerpts, of their own choosing, not to exceed two minutes in length, which will demonstrate technical facility, maturity of tone and expressive content. Selection of performance excerpts is the choice of the player, in consultation with his/her music teachers.
• Percussionists will be expected to prepare excerpts on at least two of the three percussion disciplines: Snare, Mallets and Timpani.
• All students will be asked to perform major scales (Junior Winds, major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats), chosen by the audition committee, and the chromatic scale over the range of their instrument, according to the information below.
• There is no requirement for sight-reading.
• Junior Winds In-Person Audition Requirements (PDF)
• Symphonic Winds In-Person Audition Requirements (PDF)

Scholarships

Need-based scholarships may be available. Applications will be made available at the time of acceptance and due upon confirmation of participation.