Submit your audition now to join a string ensemble for 2023-24!
Deadline to submit video audition: Sunday July 30, 2023
These are IN-PERSON ensembles, held at the VSO School
The VSO School of Music’s youth string ensembles are a uniquely supportive and friendly space for young people to build ensemble skills, challenge themselves musically, and experience unforgettable performance, masterclass, coaching and social opportunities. The ensembles are known as much for their jovial camaraderie as their commitment to excellence.
String ensembles meet weekly on Saturdays to rehearse a variety of music including specialized arrangements tailored to each group’s level. They enjoy an array of opportunities, including side-by-side and pre-concert appearances with the VSO; masterclasses with international guest artists; concerts in the Orpheum Theatre and other celebrated venues around Vancouver; collaborations with the VSO School’s jazz and world music departments; coachings with VSO principal players; weekend intensive retreats and much more.
Ensemble Levels
- Beginner (RCM level 2-5 OR Suzuki book 2-4) PRELUDIO
- Intermediate (RCM level 6-8 OR Suzuki book 5-7)
– Age 9-12yrs* INTERMEZZO
– Age 11-16yrs* CONCERTANTE - Advanced (RCM Level 9-ARCT OR Suzuki book 7-10) SINFONIETTA
*These age ranges are approximate and may be revised upon the completion of auditions
Preludio | Saturdays, 3:30-4:45pm | $595 / $525 VSOSoM discount |
Intermezzo | Saturdays, 9:00-10:30am | $675 / $595 VSOSoM discount |
Concertante | Saturdays, 10:45-12:15pm | $675 / $595 VSOSoM discount |
Sinfonietta | Saturdays, 1:00-3:00pm | $775 / $675 VSOSoM discount |
Youth String Ensemble rehearsal dates (2023-24)
September 16 – December 16, 2023
January 13 – Mar 16, 2024
April 6 – June 1, 2024
No rehearsal on September 30; November 11
To apply to join a VSOSoM youth string ensemble, please make a video recording of yourself playing two scales and one short piece, or musical extract. Upload the video to YouTube or similar platform, and then click the red button to submit an application including the link to your video audition. You will be contacted by the Ensembles Coordinator with details of your placement after the deadline of July 30, 2023.