Orchestra seating help!?

Question

So, I tried out for this pretty competitive youth orchestra and SOMEHOW I made it into the chamber group (I expected to get into the regular group at most)
I'm 16 and I've only been playing violin since I was 13 though, but I have been learning piano since I was 5 and I have perfect pitch so I picked up the violin pretty quickly. However, I know I'm not up to par with the people that are going to be in my orchestra because they've all been playing since they were little...and they all sound really good.
I don't want to be like second violin last stand though, and I'm really really scared that that's going to happen to me.
I've never had a seating audition before so can people tell me what to expect? I already received some of my songs:

Chamber - Brahms - Hungarian Dances 1,3 & 10; Vaughn Williams - Overture to "The Wasps"

Ahhhhh I only have until September 11 to practice and I am soo nervous! Any advice would be much appreciated!

Answer 1

1st off, give yourself some credit girl! You done good already, getting into the chamber group "somehow". It means you are THAT good. Congratulations!! Don't be afraid to be proud.

Now, settle down and practice. and do the best that you know how to do. Do not worry about where you get seated. Worry about making the cut. The seating will follow. So some of the other folks are better than you (you think) -- get used to it. Life's like that. But you will be a part of a pretty exclusive bunch of young, talented musicians. Revel in it, and learn everything you can from it.

I am jealous -- I never made the cut.

Answer 2

First of all, get recordings of the pieces that you have to play. It is very important to know where your part fits in the orchestra. Second, if you have a private teacher (if not, PLEASE get a teacher) then make sure you ask him/her to go over it with you. Your teacher will be familiar with the pieces and will know how to fix the tricky parts. Also, play your parts slowly and then work up the speed. Practice makes perfect!

Now, what should you expect at an audition? I have been in many auditions and to tell you the truth, you can never know what to expect. The key is to be prepared. Have a prepared solo, other than your excerpts. Also it is VERY likely that they may ask you to play a few scales. So practice all your major and minor scales. Don't be nervous. Everyone else who is being seated feels the same about the audition. You're not the only one. Make sure you eat and sleep well the night before and day of. If you get nervous and shaky, eat a banana or two, they help to calm down. I always eat a banana before an audition! Also, even though it's not a formal thing, dressing up for the audition will keep you focused. Keep in mind though, don't wear anything uncomfortable either.

One last thing. Play your excerpts for as many people as you can! If you play your pieces in front of other people before your audition, it will help you feel more comfortable at your audition.

Take your time and have fun in orchestra!

Answer 3

I understand how nervous you must be. I have been in the same position before. First take a deep breathe an realize you have just as much right to be there than everyone else. Tell yourself that it is easy you are fine and no matter what you're in the group and you should be extremely proud of yourself. When going in for the audition go in with a positive attitude and know all that you have accomplished already. People will talk about how great they are but that shows how insecure they are and brush it off. Break a Leg!

Answer 4

I agree with all the other answerers in congratulating you!
(Now comes the hard part of it) think of the talented folks who make the cut to the Olympics. they know they can't all win, don't they? they know they are special just for having got that far. So, it becomes a question of ego: are you going to whip yourself into the frenzy it takes for getting further up the line, or are you going to be sane about it, enjoy the experience for what it is, and accept wherever you land with dignity and grace? Getting to the top takes on the symptoms that border on obsession- are you built for it? Or will you burn out?
By all means, keep on practising, and get ready to have the most wonderful experience of your musical life, to date. but stop a minute and try and answer my question: are you ready for life in the very hard fast lane at age 16, or would you rather take a little more time to become as proficient at your instrument as you can possibly be?
Best wishes to you and keep up the good work!!

Answer 5

Being last chair is better than not making it at all. For as long as you have been playing I would say that making the orchestra at all would be quite an achievment. Getting in is the key, don't worry about what part you play. You can move up later. Good luck

Answer 6

a bike seat is fixed, no longer welded, onto the seat positioned up on almost all motorcycles. So, you're being completely opaque in claiming that yours "broke off". except you may properly be greater articulate approximately your project, i'm no longer able to grant any innovations. Any welding keep ought to weld a steel seat to a steel positioned up in minutes. Aluminum could be slightly greater high priced, yet nonetheless below $a hundred. because I have not got any concept the place the "brake" is relative to the leather-based/plastic seat/padding, i don't be attentive to if it is attainable or no longer. Its a 10 minute activity, assuming they could do it in any respect. Yellow-Pages: Welding

Answer 7

you passed the hard test already ... you are a winner and the fact that the rest of the violins have been playing A GREAT DEAL LONGER you probably scare them ... have fun ... where you sit is not important ... wouldn't you like last chair of the Chicago Symphony? .... but don't let up on the practicing .. you are amazing Congratulations!!!

SCOTS PINES I usually like your answers but one thing perfume should be an absolute NO NO too many wind player's air passages close up when they get a whiff of perfume (I'm not anti perfume)

Answer 8

Well,this was my problem,too.When for the 1st time I went to an orchestra.That was really hard for me.And when I saw the others I just scared.I told myself:What can I do?What should I do?When I came back home I told myself that:This is a chance and I should not let it go!
So,after that I decided to be confiedent and control myself.Do you know how?
I'll tell you:Our conducter of our orchestra asked one of us to go infront of the others and play a solo.No one!But I wanted to go.So,I went.A person that is so shy went to play a solo infron of the others!!!!!I went and played Brahms.I was really confiedent.
So,because I was the 1st person that played a solo our conducter gave me a book abou music.After that I became friend with everybody.
And everybody remembered my solo.I undrestud that when in our orchestra we decided to play Brahms.When they saw that note they said that:Didn't she played that note,before?
And I really became happy.I sit in the 3rd chair of the 2end violin.It makes no diffrence for me.You know in our orchestra (or everywhere)it's not important to sit where it's important to be there.It's important to work hard like the others.To became happy and glad of your job.And became friend with others.Your playing will be grow up.So don't scare.1 day you will sit everywhere that you want.
in our orchestra they are older than me.I'm 14 and for exaqmple they are 18,20,19,25 and... .but this is not really important.because they talk to me like that I'm at the same age.
Because I did something to make them to me talk to me like that.
I have some advices for you:
1.Become confiedent.
2.Work hard.
3.Do not scare of something.
4.Do not compare the others with yourself.Do you know why?Because you see their present.you did noy see their past.they were like you.But I actually think that you are probebly better than them.Because before you started to play violin you played the piano.So,some day it will be help you.
5.Become friend with them.It can help you to know them,well.
I wish I could help you.
GoOd lUcK

Answer 9

are you in MYO?
i'm in it too (oboe)
the songs aren't that hard
just keep practicing and you'll do well
even though you get last seat, you can gradually get better seats throughout the year if you do well