Concert Strings

This group is an apprentice program for students who have played at least two years and can read music. The orchestra emphasizes music reading skills, proper playing positions, and the development of orchestral playing techniques. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. You will be asked to play a solo of your choice (please bring a copy of the music for the conductor), and one octave of C, G, and D Major scales. Be prepared to sight-read material presented that day.

Chamber Orchestra

This group is made up of string musicians up to the age of 21. This orchestra concentrates on refining student’s orchestral playing techniques by focusing on ensemble playing skills, sight reading, advanced playing positions, and advanced bowing techniques. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings at the Arvada Center from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. To audition you should be able to play comfortably in 1st through 5th position (violins and violas) 1st through 4th position (celli), 1/2 through 4th position (bass), and be able to tune yourself. Be prepared to play a solo of your choice (please bring a copy of the music for the conductor), and a scale of two octaves or more using multiple positions. Be prepared to sight-read material presented that day.

Youth Symphony

This orchestra provides unique training in orchestral repertoire for talented musicians through the age of 21. All string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments are welcome. All instrumentalists should have commanding facility on their instrument. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:00 PM.

Strings should have a solo of their own choice, a scale of at least three octaves based on the key of that solo, and be prepared to sight read.

Woodwind and Brass instrumentalists should have a solo of their own choice, a scale of two octaves based on the key of that solo, a chromatic scale of two octaves, and be able to articulate those scales in various ways as dictated by the adjudicator. Be prepared for sight-reading.

Percussionists should prepare a solo on any two of the three following areas: timpani, keyboard percussion, or multiple percussion. Timpani, vibraphone, and xylophone will be provided.

Timpanists should be able to tune timpani using relative pitch and demonstrate a proper forte‑piano roll.

Keyboard percussionists will be asked to play a major and pure minor scale of the adjudicator's choice.

Multiple percussionists will be asked to demonstrate two of the 26 rudiments of the adjudicator's choice slow to fast to slow.