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Preparatory Studies: Orchestra & Choir

The orchestra program is sequential, offering opportunities for the youngest players to learn basic ensemble skills, and to perform a variety of music which emphasizes different periods and performance styles. At the highest level, the Longy Youth Chamber Orchestra is selective, technically and artistically challenging, and is a showcase for the broad offerings of the preparatory studies through their Family Series performances. The group has toured nationally and internationally. All auditions are live and performed for the conductors. Students are placed individually, with respect for their abilities, age, and experience. Students are greeted warmly and encouraged to perform their best in a professional and supportive atmosphere.

Orchestra Auditions for the 2011-2012 school year
Entrance auditions are required for all orchestras and an audition fee applies ($25 for new students, $15 for returning students auditioning for the next level). Late auditions for the 2011-2012 school year will take place on August 27th. For information about auditions, please click on the following link: Community Programs Ensemble Audition Information (PDF).

Audition Repertoire and Guideline
Please download our Audition Guidelines for a detailed list of repertoire selection guidelines for each ensemble.  Please note that repertoire guidelines are for reference only, and do not imply preference for this material. Teachers will be familiar with the levels in the Suzuki repertoire books and the syllabus published by the American String Teachers Association.

Auditions for students new to Longy
Welcome! All students must audition for placement. For our orchestra and chorus program, please note that the auditions are general, meaning that students do not audition for a specific ensemble but rather for placement into the appropriate group based on the student’s age and level of achievement. There will be ONE $25 audition fee that will cover as many auditions as the student wishes to take.

Auditions for returning students
Welcome back! Students wishing to return to the same group or same level group (orchestra, chorus, chamber music, piano duo, saxophone, flute and harp ensembles) in the 2011-2012 school year DO NOT need to audition.  Students wishing to move up to the next level DO need to take an audition. There will be ONE $15 audition fee that will cover as many auditions as the student wishes to take.

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ORCHESTRAL PROGRAM

Beginning String Ensemble
Fee: $350/semester
Course: PY070
Conductor: Perttuli
Meets: Saturdays, 9:00-9:50am
The Beginning String Ensemble provides young string players with a first experience of playing in a large ensemble. Students learn how to follow a conductor, listen to themselves and those around them, and to perform in a professional manner. The ensemble performs in Saturday Morning Assemblies throughout the year, and in a final end-of-year concert in the spring. Limited to 20 players. Audition required.

Intermediate String Ensemble
Fee: $350/semester
Course: PY071
Conductor: Perttuli
Meets: Saturdays, 8:00-8:50am
This ensemble provides young string players who have already had some experience playing in a large ensemble. Students continue to learn how to follow a conductor, listen to themselves and those around them, and to perform in a professional manner. The ensemble performs in Saturday Morning Assemblies throughout the year, and in a final end-of-year concert in the spring. Limited to 20 players. Audition required.

Longy Concertino
Fee: $360/semester
Course: PY072
Conductor: Mischa Lakirovich
Meets: Saturdays, 8:00-9:15AM
The Longy Concertino is open to eager young string players who are ready to play in a larger group. The orchestra focuses on sound production, tone quality, intonation, articulation, dynamics, phrasing and expression. Frequent sectionals supplement the lively full-group rehearsals, and ensure that each member achieves and understands the musical goals of each piece. Recent repertoire has included Haydn’s Toy Symphony and selections from Fiddler on the Roof. The orchestra performs at the end of each semester. Limited to 40 players. Audition required.

Longy Sinfonietta
Fee: $375/semester
Course: PY073
Conductor: Mischa Lakirovich
Meets: Saturdays, 9:15-10:45AM
The Longy Sinfonietta invites enthusiastic string players who are ready to perform more demanding selections.  The repertoire requires shifting through fourth position, vibrato, limited playing off the string, a variety of rhythms, and comfort in reading sharps and flats. Frequent sectionals supplement the dynamic full-group rehearsals, and ensure that each member achieves and understands the musical goals of each piece. Members are expected to take greater responsibility for outside preparation. The orchestra’s repertoire has recently included Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto, Handel’s Water Music, and Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Cellos. The orchestra performs at the end of each semester. Limited to 40 players. Audition required.

Longy Wind Ensemble
Fee: $350/semester
Course: PY074
Conductor: Aston
Meets: Saturdays, 10:00-10:50AM
The Longy Wind Ensemble provides a unique opportunity for strong wind and percussion players, ages 12-18, to explore a wide variety of musical styles found in the wind ensemble repertoire. Emphasis is placed on the wind ensemble as a chamber group. Participants will benefit from a strengthening of their technical and musical abilities as well as a building of communication skills in an ensemble setting.  Attention to detail in the preparation process will require participants to work outside the regularly scheduled rehearsals in order to fully benefit from this group.  Audition required.

Longy Junior Chamber Orchestra
Fee: $375/semester
Course: PY153
Conductor: Aghababian
Meets: Saturdays, 11:00am-12:15pm
The Longy Junior Chamber Orchestra is open to strong intermediate string and wind players. The group requires refined, detail-oriented playing. The repertoire focuses on the understanding of differing musical styles through articulation, phrasing, and dynamics. Recent repertoire has included Mozart and Haydn symphonies. The orchestra performs two to three times per school year. Audition required.

Longy Youth Chamber Orchestra
Fee: $395/semester
Course: PY076
Conductor: Ogata
Meets: Saturdays, 12:30–2:50PM
The Longy Youth Chamber Orchestra is open to advanced string, wind, brass, and percussion players, ages 12–18, who wish to participate in a fine chamber orchestra. Rehearsals will focus on developing musicianship and refining ensemble technique as well as broadening knowledge of the extensive repertoire for chamber orchestra. Intensive outside preparation is necessary to polish the demanding repertoire, which recently has included Brahms, Mendelssohn and Beethoven symphonies. Audition required.

CHORUS PROGRAM

Choral singing is an ancient community-building art. The Longy Preparatory Studies Choral Program is designed to instill a love for choral singing and to teach young singers the skills necessary for a lifetime of performing great choral literature. At each level, singers learn ensemble and choral singing skills and cultivate an aesthetic awareness of word and tone. The students will also be trained to read music.

Choral Auditions
All Preparatory Choral Ensembles (except for Singing for Young Children) require placement auditions. For information about auditions and an application, please contact communityprograms@longy.edu or call 617.876.0956 x1650.

Singing for Young Children
Fee: $350/semester
Section I Course PY 060-A
Meets: Saturdays 9:00-9:50 AM
Section II Course PY 060-B
Meets: Saturdays 10:00-10:50 AM
Conductor: Chagat
Ages 5-7.  This offering is designed with the very young singer in mind. Students will experience the magic of making music through the study of the fundamentals of ensemble singing and basic music notation. Using their voices, bodies, and rhythm instruments, young singers will enjoy exploring the elements of music such as dynamics, pitch, and tempo, with emphasis placed on pitch matching and steady pulse. Repertoire includes folk songs, children’s rhymes, and singing and dancing games. No audition required.

Longy Children’s Chorus
Fee: $375/semester
Course: PY061
Conductor: Pailler
Meets: Saturdays, 11:00am-12:15pm
Singers ages 8-11 explore and perform secular, sacred, and popular repertoire in a fun and challenging environment. This ensemble will enhance their basic knowledge of choral singing skills and music reading. Singers will learn to be part of a team: to follow a conductor, listen to themselves and those around them, and perform on stage. Children will take on exciting challenges such as singing in two to three parts. The chorus performs at least two concerts during the year. Placement audition required.

Longy Junior Chamber Chorus
Fee: $375/semester
Course: PY062
Conductor: Pailler
Meets: Saturdays, 12:30-1:45pm
Ages 11-14.  The Junior Chamber Chorus is geared for the blossoming middle-school age voice.  Singers will broaden their musical horizons as they acquire more advanced choral skills.  Repertoire includes secular, sacred, and popular choral music in two to four parts, both accompanied and a capella.  Reading music and choral singing technique are also emphasized.  The chorus performs at least two concerts during the year.  Placement audition required.

Longy Youth Chamber Chorus
Fee: $350/semester
Course: PY063
Conductor: Pailler
Meets: Saturdays, 2:00-2:55
Ages 14–18.  The Youth Chamber Chorus is the most advanced Preparatory chorus at Longy. It is an SATB ensemble for high-school age students. The class is designed to challenge singers vocally and intellectually. They will explore the historic, literary, and cultural contexts of each piece. Works are chosen which will strengthen choral singing technique, ear training, music reading, and acquiring a sense of different musical styles. The chorus performs at least two concerts during the year. (Suggested prerequisite: Longy Junior Chorus or prior singing experience.) Placement audition required.

Longy A Cappella
Fee: $375/semester
Course: PY064
Instructor: Catt
Meets: Saturdays, 12:00-12:55pm
Join your voice in harmony! The Longy School is looking for interested young singers to assemble a select group to perform a cappella literature and standardized small group vocal music. The group will perfect its sound and perform in concert fashion in and outside of the school environment. This group is open to instrumentalists and singers. Audition required. Ages 14–18.

Longy Honors A Capella
Fee: $375/semester
Course: PY065       
Instructor: Catt
Meets: Saturdays 1:00-1:55pm
This top level performing group is for dedicated A Cappella singers.  In addition to working on standard a cappella literature and small group vocal music, the Honor’s A Cappella often create their own arrangements of songs and work on improvisation techniques.  The group performs actively both inside and outside the school.  Ages: 14-18.  Audition required.

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Credits

Longy School of Music, 27 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138  Telephone: 617-876-0956

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