2009 All–OMEA Orchestra Information

 

Thanks to everyone for a successful 2008 Orchestra.


All-OMEA Chair for 2009: Scott Jackson

(Viola and Cello Etudes updated from spring issue of OKLAHOMA MUSIC) Greetings fellow string teachers! As we approach the end of another busy year, it is time to look forward to the next year’s All-OMEA Orchestra audition dates and materials.

The auditions will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2008, at Westmoore High School. 

In case of inclement weather, the auditions will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2008, at Westmoore High School.  Should the alternate date be used, all students must audition on that date.  No alternate arrangements will be allowed. 

There is a change in the application process this year: all entries will be submitted via electronic format , the Microsoft Excel form found on the OKMEA web site, www.okmea.org
All-OMEA Audition Application Deadlines:
    October 3rd, 2008 ($15.00)
    October 10th (triple fee, $45)
    October 11th (emergency entry fee, $100)

Applications will be  available at the OMEA web site, www.okmea.org. 

AUDITION MATERIAL: The string audition material will contain scale(s), an etude, orchestral excerpts, and sight-reading. 

SCALE:  Prepare all major scales, memorized, 3 octaves, slur two quarter notes (quarter note = 90) in the following format:  Each note is played once ascending and once descending with the top note not repeated. See example below. Note: Double bass will play only two-octave scales.  The use or nonuse of vibrato on the scale will not add or subtract points.

Violin, Viola, Cello: 
    ascending:  CDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABC
    descending: BAGFEDCBAGFEDCBAGFEDC

Bass:    ascending:  CDEFGABCDEFGABC
    descending: BAGFEDCBAGFEDC


ETUDE:   Prepare    the    etude   listed  below  for   your instrument.

Violin: Kreutzer 42 Studies or Caprices,
    by Kreutzer/Singer, published by Schirmer L230,
    #29 pp. 46-47, quarter note = 72.  Slur two beats/bows per measure, but also observe the détaché where printed (i.e. measure 26).
Viola: 41: (UPDATED FROM SPRING ISSUE OF OKLAHOMA MUSIC) Caprices, Opus 22, by Campagnole/Primrose, published by International 1627,
    #9, quarter note = 80
Cello:  (UPDATED FROM SPRING ISSUE OF OKLAHOMA MUSIC) 170 Foundation Studies, Volume II, by Schroeder, published by Carl Fischer 02470,
    #93, quarter note = 120.
Double Bass: 30 Etudes for String Bass, by Franz Simandl, published by Carl Fischer O2941,
    #12, pp. 14, quarter note = 96
Harp: If the OMEA Orchestra conductor chooses music that requires harp, interested students should contact Scott Jackson (405) 612-2754, sjackson@stillwater.k12.ok.us for audition etude and excerpt information.

EXCERPTS:     Audition excerpts from the ALL-OMEA music will be distributed to directors at the OMEA Fall In-service in October.  Excerpts will be mailed on the following Monday to all directors not in attendance at this meeting.

SIGHT-READING: Sight-reading will be required at the audition. Students will be allowed a thirty-second study period during which they may shadow bow or finger the instrument, but must not make any noise. The student may have points deducted or be disqualified for excessive finger tapping.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: The students must follow the scale pattern indicated above. In addition, the student must follow the printed fingerings and bowings indicated in the etude(s). If the student uses an alternate scale pattern, etude fingerings or bowings during the audition, the judges will deduct points.
Students DO NOT need to purchase original parts for excerpts. Students DO need an original etude book at the audition, but they may play off of the distributed copies of excerpts.

Directors:  Please note that all directors who have students participating in the auditions are required to be at the audition and to be available to assist as judges, monitors, or in other capacities as needed.  If you know of any string specialists new to our state who would be willing to help with the auditions, please let me know.
I am looking forward to working with you and your students this year.  If I can be of any assistance, please contact me.  As e–mail is often the most efficient means by which I will contact you, please make sure the e–mail address you include with your application is an address that you check frequently. Thank you in advance for the work you do and your support of such fine young musicians. Have a wonderful summer.