Auditioning for WMCO
We are accepting applications for the 2021-2021 Season and will audition students on an individual basis.
Click on the button above to request your audition. If you are unable to access the audition information, please email the WMCO Music Director randyward@wmpamusic.org
Click on the button above to request your audition. If you are unable to access the audition information, please email the WMCO Music Director randyward@wmpamusic.org
2021-2022 Audition Season Update: Due to Covid 19, all prospective students will audition via an electronic recording submission OR via “Zoom/Skype.” Click on the button above to register. After completing registration, students may submit a recording of a musical solo or etude of their choice along with 2 major and 1 melodic minor scale sent electronically to randyward@wmpamusic.org.
Recorded Auditions can be submitted as one long track or multiple tracks at the discretion of the student. Alternatively, students wishing for a live audition may select a date and time slot in order to perform via Skype or Zoom for the Music Directors. Please indicate in the comments section of your registration which manner of audition you prefer. Feel free to email the Music Director at any time with questions or concerns.
Post-Covid Expectations
All students and directors will be expected to follow the current State and Federal regulations pertaining to Covid-19 safety precautions. At this time, we anticipate that all players will wear masks during in-person meetings. Wind and brass players will likely have extra safety precautions in place beyond safe distancing and mask wearing, while strings and percussion players will be seated with safe distancing and masks required at all times in the rehearsal and performance venues.
WMCO 2019-20 (In-person) Repertoire:
Brahms 1st Symphony, arr. Isaac
A Pirate's Legend, Soon Hee Newbold/arr. Carl Rydlund
Aboriginal Rituals, Elliot Del Borgo
WMCO Current 2020-21 (virtual) Repertoire:
Students participating together with WMYO
WMCO Tentative 2021-2022 (In-person) Repertoire:
TBA (Please revisit for updates)
Recorded Auditions can be submitted as one long track or multiple tracks at the discretion of the student. Alternatively, students wishing for a live audition may select a date and time slot in order to perform via Skype or Zoom for the Music Directors. Please indicate in the comments section of your registration which manner of audition you prefer. Feel free to email the Music Director at any time with questions or concerns.
Post-Covid Expectations
All students and directors will be expected to follow the current State and Federal regulations pertaining to Covid-19 safety precautions. At this time, we anticipate that all players will wear masks during in-person meetings. Wind and brass players will likely have extra safety precautions in place beyond safe distancing and mask wearing, while strings and percussion players will be seated with safe distancing and masks required at all times in the rehearsal and performance venues.
WMCO 2019-20 (In-person) Repertoire:
Brahms 1st Symphony, arr. Isaac
A Pirate's Legend, Soon Hee Newbold/arr. Carl Rydlund
Aboriginal Rituals, Elliot Del Borgo
WMCO Current 2020-21 (virtual) Repertoire:
Students participating together with WMYO
WMCO Tentative 2021-2022 (In-person) Repertoire:
TBA (Please revisit for updates)
The primary goal of the WMCO is to offer students in grades 6-9 the opportunity to further their musical abilities through performance and collaboration. Membership is a family venture and parents are expected to assist with concert operations, public relations and fundraising.
Upon acceptance into the WMCO, musicians are expected to:
Tuition for the WMCO is $650 or about $23/week. Tuition covers the cost of music rentals, space rentals for at least 25 rehearsals and 3 concerts , printing and postage, and other WMPA overhead costs associated with running a youth orchestra. To learn more about WMCO Tuition and to pay the tuition fee, see the Tuition information page
To arrange for an audition, first complete and submit the Audition Request Information Form.
Upon acceptance into the WMCO, musicians are expected to:
- Attend all weekly rehearsals (Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m.). Rehearsals are held at Glasgow Middle School 4101 Fairfax Pkwy. Alexandria, VA 22312.
- Come to rehearsals prepared to perform their best, having practiced individual parts outside of the weekly rehearsal.
- Attend dress rehearsals and concerts as outlined in the schedule
Tuition for the WMCO is $650 or about $23/week. Tuition covers the cost of music rentals, space rentals for at least 25 rehearsals and 3 concerts , printing and postage, and other WMPA overhead costs associated with running a youth orchestra. To learn more about WMCO Tuition and to pay the tuition fee, see the Tuition information page
To arrange for an audition, first complete and submit the Audition Request Information Form.
Audition Requirements:
Applicants should be prepared to perform the following audition material:
Scales:
Solo representing the student’s highest level of performance. Memorization is not required. A copy of the music must be provided to the audition adjudicators; the music will be returned immediately following the audition.
Applicants should be prepared to perform the following audition material:
Scales:
- Strings: Violin/Viola/Cello (2 octave scale); Double Bass (1 octave)
- Major scales: C, G, D, A and F, B-flat, E-flat
- Melodic Minor scales: a, e, b, f-sharp and d, g, c
- Woodwinds and Brass: Major scales: C, G, D, A and F, B-flat, E-flat
- Melodic Minor scales: a, e, b, f-sharp and d, g, c
- Chromatic scale (1 octave)
Solo representing the student’s highest level of performance. Memorization is not required. A copy of the music must be provided to the audition adjudicators; the music will be returned immediately following the audition.
Principal Chairs
Principal chairs are open to any qualified musician regardless of age or seniority at the beginning of the season. Audition performance and leadership skills are taken into consideration when selecting a principal. Auditions for principal chairs are conducted as appropriate by the Music Director.
