2010-2011 SEASON AUDITION
PROCEDURES & REQUIREMENTS

Please click here for the application forms.

Virtuosi of Houston begins its fifteenth season in the fall of 2010.  Auditions for orchestra membership will be held on:

• Saturday, March 27, 2010 beginning at 9:00 am
• Saturday, May 15, 2010 beginning at 9:00 am
• Friday, September 10, 2010 beginning at 4:00 pm
• Saturday, September 11, 2010 beginning at 9:00 am

All auditions will be held at the Virtuosi of Houston Studio located in Memorial City Mall, Houston.  A map of our location is available on the website.  

Highlights of Virtuosi of Houston:

• Only youth chamber orchestra in Houston.
• As a chamber orchestra, the number of musicians is 50 members.
• Artistic Directors and Conductors Andrzej Grabiec and Franz Anton Krager are founders of the orchestra and both serve on the faculty of the University of Houston Moores School of Music. Under this two-conductor structure, more individual training is provided.
• A typical season includes two concerts in Zilkha Hall in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts and an annual fundraising concert and dinner in a prestigious Houston hotel.  Concert dates for the 2010-11 season will be on December 5, 2010 (Zilkha Hall), April 2, 2011 (Hotel InterContinental Houston) and May 13, 2011 (Zilkha Hall). Concert dates are subject to change. 
• Total of 30 rehearsals during the academic year/season.
• Rehearsals are held twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:30 pm five weeks prior to the concert date.
• Dinner is provided by Virtuosi of Houston during rehearsals at break time
• Rehearsal schedule is set so as not to conflict with other youth orchestras.
• Rehearsals are held in a state-of-the-art 5,000 square foot Studio.
• Concert programs are professionally designed and include a headshot and biography for each student member.
• An Annual Concerto Competition awards a total of $10,250 in scholarship support to seven competitors.  First-place winners in the wind and string divisions are also invited to perform as soloists in the spring concert.   Scholarship funds can only be applied to music education expenses. The Concerto Competition is open only to current Virtuosi of Houston musicians. 

Virtuosi of Houston operates on the theory that absorbing instruction in an intense, short period of time produces an excellent end product. The student musicians also benefit from the joint direction of two conductors.  While one maestro is conducting from the podium, the other circulates throughout the ensemble tutoring individual players on the correct techniques of fingering, pitch, sound and other good music practices. Each student benefits from their complementary direction, expertise and knowledge.

EXPECTIONS

All Virtuosi of Houston members are expected:

• To be active members of their respective school orchestra or band.
• To demonstrate their commitment by attending all the rehearsals for the entire concert season.  Three unexcused absences may result in dismissal from the orchestra   In case of direct conflict with a school event, the school event will always take precedence. All absences must be called in or emailed to the Virtuosi office by 2:00 pm the day of the absence.
• To individually practice their respective parts and come prepared to rehearsals to the best of their ability.
• To demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity with respect to one another, to the Artistic Directors, and to representatives of the management, the staff, volunteers, and the Board of Directors of the organization.

Virtuosi of Houston will provide:

• Many exciting musical experiences.
• An atmosphere of mutual respect and professionalism.
• Music Directors who will fully share their knowledge and expertise during rehearsals and concerts.

Audition Requirements:

• New members and returning Virtuosi of Houston orchestra members must audition.
• All applicants should between 11 to 18 years of age as the fall of 2010 and be active members of their respective school orchestra or band.
• All applicants need to complete the two-page application form and pay a non-refundable application fee.
• Application fee for new applicants is $45 and the fee for returning Virtuosi of Houston orchestra members is $35.  Checks made payable to Virtuosi of Houston and Master Card, Visa and American Express credit cards are accepted.

New Members Should Prepare the Following
(memorization is not required):

• Major and minor scales and arpeggios (3 octaves – string players; 2 octaves – wind players)
• One prepared solo or concert piece; piano accompaniment is not required
• Preparation of orchestral excerpts for your instrument.  (At this time, please contact the Virtuosi of Houston administrative office at 713-807-0888 for a copy of the excerpts.)

Returning Members Need Only To Prepare the Following (memorization is not required):

• One prepared solo or concert piece; piano accompaniment is not required.    

All auditions are held at the Virtuosi of Houston Studio in Memorial City Mall. 
View map of our location. 

The tuition fee for the 2010-11 season is $690 per student and is payable upon acceptance.  Students in need of financial assistance or payment arrangements should send a written request for tuition assistance.  A form will be sent to you to complete for review by the executive committee of the board of trustees. 

Applications and payment must be received at least 14 days prior to the preferred audition date.  If the deadline for applications cannot be met, please call for a request for waiver.

For additional information, please call Karen Needham at 713-807-0888

Virtuosi of Houston
2121 Kirby Drive, #117 
Houston, TX  77019-6035
Fax: 713-807-0088
Email: virtuosi@virtuosiofhouston.org