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There is nothing more exciting, challenging,
and fun than playing music with other people. At Bloomingdale, we believe
that playing in an ensemble is one of the most important goals of music
study and ensembles are available for all levels and ages of student players.
The spirit of working collaboratively under the encouragement of one
of our trained faculty members infuses all of our ensembles. Ensemble
members are encouraged to express themselves about the music rehearsing
process and also to respond to the ideas of other members. The ultimate
goal is to create musicians who can articulate their ideas about making
music and who are also open to the ideas of other players and to the
process of building a consensus about musical choices.
For people interested in classical music, we have an extensive chamber music
program that matches students by experience level and instrument. We also
have three levels of chamber orchestras—Preparatory Orchestra for
the youngest players, our lively Intermediate Orchestra, and the Bloomingdale
Chamber Orchestra.
For people with interests in other styles, we have the Rock Band, Fiddling
Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble.
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ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS
Auditions for Bloomingdale’s orchestra ensembles are held
twice a year in
September and June. For the 2008–09 school year, September
auditions will be held on Wednesday, September 10 and Thursday, September
11. June auditions will be held on Wednesday, June 17 and Thursday,
June 18. To schedule an audition please call or email Chen Chu, ext.
29 or cchu@bsmny.org.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
The criteria below is to be used as recommended guidelines. Each
student will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Preparatory Orchestra (strings only)
Prepare one scale and one piece. Students will be asked to sight-read
at the audition.
Students auditioning for this ensemble should meet the following
criteria:
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Private study on instrument for at least one year |
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Read notes on all four strings in first position |
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Know one octave major scales up to three sharps |
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Identify and play rhythms including half notes, quarter notes,
and eighth notes and same length rests |
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Completed Suzuki Book I or the equivalent |
Intermediate Orchestra (all instruments)
Prepare two scales and two contrasting pieces. Students will be asked
to sight-read at the audition.
Students auditioning for this ensemble should meet the following
criteria:
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Private study on instrument for at least three years |
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Shift to third position for string players |
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Know how to tongue and slur for wind players |
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String players—know two octave major scales up to four
sharps and flats. Wind and brass players—major scales up
to three sharps and flats |
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String players—completed Suzuki Book III or the equivalent |
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Identify and play more complex rhythms including dotted note
values, triplets, and sixteenth notes |
Bloomingdale Chamber Orchestra (all instruments)
Prepare two scales and arpeggios and two contrasting pieces. Students
will be asked to sight-read at the audition.
Students auditioning for this ensemble should meet the following
criteria:
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Private study on instrument for at least four years |
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Shift to fifth position and above for string players |
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Know how to double-tongue and produce vibrato for wind players |
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String players—know three octave major and minor scales.
Wind and brass players—two octave major and minor scales
up to four sharps and flats |
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