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.
Attendance Requirements for Performing Ensembles Attendance is mandatory at every scheduled class, rehearsal, dress rehearsal, and concert of our large and small performing ensembles. Students must call the Preparatory Studies Office before the scheduled class to inform them of absence due to illness. All other absences will be considered unexcused unless prior permission is given by the instructor. If unexcused absences accumulate, the student will not be
allowed to participate in the ensemble.
Orchestra Auditions
Annual auditions are required for all orchestras and an audition fee applies ($25 for new students, $10 for returning students). For information about auditions and an application, please contact or call 617.876.0956 x650. 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 (ASTA).
Beginning String Ensemble Fee: $305/semester
Course: PY051
Conductor: Perttuli
Location: Wolfinsohn
Meets: Saturdays, 8:45-9:40 AM
Ensemble members learn the basics of ensemble playing and sight-reading. Designed for students who have at least one year of private lessons and who can read music. Some repertoire may require the recognition of B H and G G . Admission on the recommendation of a Longy private instructor or by audition for students not taking private lessons at Longy. Ages 7-12. Limited to 20 players. Audition Requirements: a) One piece of choice
b) Scales:
C Major, 2 octaves
G Major and D Major, one octave
Longy Concertino Fee: $305/semester
Course: PY151
Conductor: Zurad
Location: Pickman Hall
Meets: Saturdays, 8:30-9:25 AM
The Longy Concertino provides young string players with a first experience of the joys of playing in an orchestra. Students learn how to follow a conductor, listen to themselves and those around them, and perform on stage. Recent repertoire has included Haydn's Toy Symphony and selections from Fiddler on the Roof. The orchestra performs at the end of each semester. Audition required. Audition Requirements: a) Repertoire piece(s) demonstrating slow and fast playing
b) Scales and arpeggios: Up to 2 sharps/flats
(2 octaves) Major and melodic minor (parallel)
c) Sight-reading Repertoire guidelines for entrance:
violin: Suzuki book 4, ASTA grade 2-3 (some third position)
viola: Suzuki book 3, ASTA grade 3
cello: Suzuki book 3, ASTA grade 2
Longy Sinfonietta Fee: $320/semester
Course: PY152
Conductor: Zurad
Location: Pickman Hall
Meets: Saturdays, 9:40-11:00 AM
The Longy Sinfonietta is open to string players who have more advanced technical abilities, such as shifting, vibrato, understanding of a variety of rhythms, and comfort in reading sharps and flats. 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. Audition required. Audition Requirements: a) Repertoire piece(s) demonstrating slow and fast playing
b) Scales and arpeggios: Up to 3 sharps/flats (3 octaves) Major and melodic minor (parallel)
c) Sight-reading Repertoire guidelines for entrance:
violin: Suzuki book 5, ASTA grade 3
viola: Suzuki book 4, ASTA grade 3
cello: Suzuki book 4, ASTA grade 3
Longy Junior Chamber Orchestra Fee: $330/semester
Course: PY153
Conductor: Aghababian
Location: Dalcroze Room
Meets: Saturdays, 1:30-3:00 PM
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. Audition Requirements: a) Repertoire piece(s) demonstrating slow and fast playing
b) Scales and arpeggios:
strings: Up to 4 sharps/flats (3 octaves)
Major and melodic minor (parallel)
wind/brass: Up to 4 sharps/flats (2 octaves)
Major and melodic minor (parallel)
c) Sight-reading Repertoire guidelines for entrance:
violin: Suzuki book 7, ASTA grade 4
viola: Suzuki book 6, ASTA grade 4
cello: Suzuki book 6, ASTA grade 4
double bass: Suzuki book 6, ASTA grade 4
Longy Youth Chamber Orchestra Fee: $350/semester
Course: PY154
Conductor: Ogata
Location: Pickman Hall
Meets: Saturdays, 12:30-3:00 PM
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. Audition Requirements: Candidates should be prepared to perform advanced repertoire and to demonstrate good sight reading skills.
a) Repertoire piece(s) demonstrating slow and fast playing.
b) Scales and arpeggios: strings: Up to 7 sharps/flats (3 octaves) Major and melodic minor (parallel) and chromatic scale wind/brass: Up to 7 sharps/flats (2 octaves) Major and melodic minor (parallel) and chromatic scale
c) Sight-reading Repertoire guidelines for entrance:
Violin, viola, cello, bass: contrasting movements of a major concerto such as Haydn, Handel, Stamitz, Mozart, Breval, J.C. Bach, Bruch, Mendelssohn, Boccherini, Dragonetti
all strings : Suzuki Book 9, ASTA Grade 5
Chorus
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 annual placement auditions. For information about auditions and an application, please contact or call 617.876.0956 x650.
Singing for Young Children Fee: $285/semester
Course: PY160
Conductor: Pailler
Location: Room 301
Meets: Saturdays, 9:00-9:45 AM
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. Ages 5-8.
Longy Children's Chorus Fee: $305/semester
Course: PY161
Conductor: Pailler
Location: Room N-1
Meets: Saturdays, 10:00-10:55 AM
Singers ages 7-11 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. Ages 7-11.
Longy Junior Chorus Fee: $315/semester
Course: PY162
Conductor: Larraga
Location: Room N-1
Meets: Saturdays, 11:00 AM-12:25 PM
The Junior 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 cappella. Reading music and choral singing technique are also emphasized. The chorus performs at least two concerts during the year. (Suggested prerequisite: Longy Children's Chorus or prior singing experience.) Placement audition required. Ages 10-14.
Longy Youth Chamber Chorus Fee: $315/semester
Course: PY163
Conductor: Larraga
Location: Room N-1
Meets: Saturdays, 12:30-1:55 PM
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. Ages 13-18.
Longy A Cappella Fee: $305/semester
Course: PY167
Instructor: Larraga
Location: Room N-1
Meets: Saturdays, 2:00-2:55 PM
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.
