Welcome to the Bay Area Youth Symphony fourth season. We are very excited about the opportunity to service the outstanding student musicians of the Bay Area.  Our ambition is to provide a youth organization of high quality, while enriching their musical education. BAYS will open it’s season with a full symphony orchestra comprised of students of all age levels meeting the criteria set forth in the audition requirements. In September of 2007, BAYS opened its’ second season while expanding to two full orchestras (Symphony and Philharmonic) and a preparatory string orchestra.

Audition times will be scheduled upon receipt of the application and $ 25.00 audition fee. (Checks made payable to BAYS)

All-State players are automatically accepted into BAYS without an audition with proof of recent All-State membership. The audition time is approximately 10 minutes per audition. Auditions are closed to parents and the general public.

The Bay Area Youth Symphony Offers:

• A supplement to the student's school music program
• Excellent instruction from professional conductors and section coaches
• An exciting collaboration of advanced and dedicated student musicians from across Southeast Houstonarea
• Performances in high quality concert venues
• A wide range of repertoire from different periods and styles of music

The Symphony orchestra will consist of approximately 100 members and is geared towards the advanced level player. Repertoire includes music on the university and professional levels. Sectionals explore the interpretive and more complex aspects of orchestral music. Winners of the annual Concerto Competition are featured in concert with the Symphony.

School Participation
In order to participate in BAYS, all students must have written approval from their school orchestra or band director if such a program exists.

Age Requirements
BAYS accepts talented string, wind, and percussionists ages 8 to 21.

Audition Requirements

Strings – students should be prepared to play up to four minutes of a prepared piece, preferably from major concertos or sonatas. Region etudes and state etudes ARE acceptable material for the audition into the Symphony level orchestra. Three octave scales up to four sharps and four flats, both major and minor. You will be asked to play two. Sight-reading will also be included in the audition process.

String students should be proficient in demonstrating bow styles using various slurs and use of spiccato and vibrato.

Violin - fluency in all positions
Viola - fluency through fifth position and reading treble clef
Cello - fluency in thumb position and reading tenor and treble clef
Bass - fluency in thumb position

Woodwind/Brass and Percussion – students should be prepared to play up to four minutes of a prepared piece, preferably from major concertos or sonatas. (Do not play region or all-state etudes)  All major and minor scales (harmonic or melodic). You will be asked to play two. Sight-reading will also be included in the audition process.

Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, Tuba - continuous and musically appropriate vibrato
Flute, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba - proficient double and triple tonguing
Bassoon, Trombone - proficiency in tenor clef
Trumpet, Horn - proficiency in transposition (trumpet in C,D,E,F) and (horn in C,D,Bb,Eb)
Percussion - All rudiments (snare drum); all major and minor scales (harmonic or melodic) mallets; advanced solos for snare drum, mallets, timpani (including re-tuning)

Attendance Policy
Attendance at all rehearsals is expected. Specific rules and guidelines are contained in our handbook, which is given to students when they accept a position in BAYS. Students will earn a BAYS patch if they miss no fewer than 2 rehearsals. Students must notify the conductor 4 weeks prior to missing a rehearsal if there is a schedule conflict in order to be excused. Examples of a missed rehearsal might be a school band trip or senior musical performance.

Fees and Tuition
The audition fee is $25.00 and is non-refundable and must be paid in order to be given an audition date and time. Tuition for the 2010-2011 season is $480.00 and covers all concerts, rehearsals, sectional coaches, concert venues, music, a BAYS t-shirt, window decal, and fees and services paid out through BAYS from September to May. BAYS is a non-profit organization so tuition rates are based solely on the needs to make the organization to operate and manage its monetary needs. $210.00 is due upon acceptance into BAYS by the first rehearsal. When the remaining balance of $210.00 is paid by our first concert of November 15th you will receive a $55.00 discount. Otherwise, the remaining balance of $265 is due by January 3rd. Please contact our treasurer Rick Vourganas at rickvourganas@att.net for tuition payments and contact updates. Music for each new concert will not be checked out to a student until the payment installment is complete.

For instruments such as the harp that might not be used for every concert, tuition will be pro-rated. BAYS accepts checks, money orders or cash. We do not accept credit cards.

Financial Aid
BAYS provides financial assistance for those in need. No student accepted will be excluded based on financial hardship. IRS non-profit organization guidelines require proof of financial need based on providing a copy of the first two pages of your most recent Federal Income Tax Return.  Recipients of financial assistance will be asked to serve to help BAYS in some way. If you need financial assistance please email Lisa Black at lblack@ccisd.net to apply. The BAYS board of directors will review and help any student find a sponsor in the community for his/her chair.

Click Here For The Application (PDF)