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Pay no attention to the site behind the curtain
  • Home
  • Our Program
    • Youth Symphony
    • Concert Orchestra
    • Preparatory Orchestra
    • Dolce String Ensemble
    • Percussion Ensemble
    • Jr. Jazz Orchestra
    • Sr. Jazz Orchestra
    • Suzuki School of Music
    • Summer Jazz Ensembles
  • Join YMI
    • Audition Information
    • Application
  • About
    • Overview
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Concerts and Events
    • Contact
    • FAQ
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Caterpillar Foundation Match
    • Shop to Support
    • Program Advertising
  • Suzuki School of Music
    • About Suzuki
    • Suzuki Fees and Schedule
    • Suzuki Staff
    • Suzuki Handbook
    • Pre-Twinkle Class
    • Suzuki FAQ
    • Resources
    • Contact Suzuki
  • Members
    • Resource Links
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Handbook

​Preparatory Orchestra

Rehearses Thursdays 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Prep Orchestra performs String Orchestra literature of various genres, including strings-only arrangements of orchestral masterworks. Serious students desiring advancement to Concert Orchestra and Youth Symphony will hone their technical, expressive, and leadership skills in Preparatory Orchestra.   Preparatory Orchestra builds upon foundational skills developed in school orchestra ensembles and/or private lessons. Students develop technical and ensemble skills through exciting and challenging literature in a variety of keys and styles. Advanced students refine their shifting, vibrato, and tonal clarity throughout the bow. Any student with at least one year of middle or high school orchestra experience is welcome to join Prep Orchestra, with or without audition. Although the music is challenging, maturity and motivation do play a significant role in the success of motivated older students. Younger students with at least two years of private lessons, or an extensive piano background will generally meet the requirements for success in Prep Orchestra. Serious students desiring advancement to Concert Orchestra and Youth Symphony will hone their technical, expressive, and leadership skills in Preparatory Orchestra.

Apply for Preparatory Orchestra

Audition Information

Entry Auditions (Primarily Spring auditions for the following season but Fall auditions can be scheduled)
  • All students are required to audition for initial entrance into any YMI ensemble. Please complete an Audition Application and an audition will be scheduled. 
  • Please upload your video to YouTube (which can be at an unlisted link if you would like) and email the link to ExecDir@YouthMusicIllinois.org.
​Students should prepare a solo representative of their current playing level (up to 2 minutes) and the following scales: 
G, D, and C major scales - 2 octaves
G and D minor scales - 1 octave

Note: 
Auditions for Prep Orchestra are informational, not exclusionary. Audition videos are used to inform seating and repertoire decisions. Any student with at least one year of middle or high school orchestra experience is welcome to join Prep Orchestra, with or without audition. Younger students with at least two years of private lessons, or an extensive piano background will generally meet the requirements for success in Prep Orchestra. Younger musicians should consult the chart below for further info.
Lidia Riley ~ Executive Director
​
execdir@youthmusicillinois.org 
David Commanday ~ Music Director dcommanday@youthmusicillinois.org

Laura Otto~Director, Suzuki School of Music
SuzukiDirector@ciys.org
Youth Music Illinois
3601 North Sheridan Road
Peoria, Illinois 61604 
  • Home
  • Our Program
    • Youth Symphony
    • Concert Orchestra
    • Preparatory Orchestra
    • Dolce String Ensemble
    • Percussion Ensemble
    • Jr. Jazz Orchestra
    • Sr. Jazz Orchestra
    • Suzuki School of Music
    • Summer Jazz Ensembles
  • Join YMI
    • Audition Information
    • Application
  • About
    • Overview
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Concerts and Events
    • Contact
    • FAQ
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Caterpillar Foundation Match
    • Shop to Support
    • Program Advertising
  • Suzuki School of Music
    • About Suzuki
    • Suzuki Fees and Schedule
    • Suzuki Staff
    • Suzuki Handbook
    • Pre-Twinkle Class
    • Suzuki FAQ
    • Resources
    • Contact Suzuki
  • Members
    • Resource Links
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Handbook