<p>does anyone here know about wm orchestra?
i know theres an audition to join....but how hard is it to get in?
like is the orchestra really professional consisted of all the big big music majors?
i play a musical instrument (been playing for more than 10 years now) and this is one of my passion that i'd like to continue in college
was just wondering how hard it is to get through the audition like is it really serious or people who play for fun can join too
thanks</p>
<p>Here’s a reply to your question from one of our student interns who’s involved with W&M Orchestra</p>
<p>The William and Mary Symphony Orchestra (WMSO) is an amazing group consisting of about 80 students and Williamsburg Community members. Yes, you do have to audition in the fall, with the audition consisting of two pieces of your choice, one slow, one fast, and then a short sight reading section. The only person sitting in the audition is the director of the orchestra, who is currently Akiko Fujimoto, so it is very laid back. As a string player, in all honesty, it is not too hard to get in; however, it is a bit more difficult to get in as a wind or brass player because there are limited spots available (depending on the pieces were are playing that semester). Actually, most of the ensemble is composed on non-music majors, and all students do receive one-credit per semester for this 4 hour-a-week course. The music that we play in most cases are the original scores, so at times it can be challenging, but I believe that with 10 years of experience, especially if you’ve played in an orchestra before, you will be more than fine adapting.</p>
<p>wowowow thank you so much w&m admission!!!</p>
<p>just one more question, do u know if those two pieces of my choice have to be at certain level or just any, really any two pieces that are fast and slow?</p>
<p>again, thank u so much !!</p>
<p>you should be able to choose any pieces. Choose something you can play well. A solo that you have played in the past, or something from an etude book should be fine. You want something that shows your ability… playing twinkle twinkle little star or something else you learned 10 years ago will probably not impress. They probably don’t need to be more than a couple minutes each, so you if you have something really long you can find a good place to start and stop.</p>
<p>There are only a few music majors at W&M. The ensembles are mostly made up of non music majors who really enjoy playing their instruments. They practice varying amounts outside of class. Some take private lessons through the school, and some do not. The groups are fun and social.</p>
<p>Akiko is a great person and she is tons of fun.</p>
<p>I was in the Wind Symphony (saxophone) for 4 years and had a fair number of friends in orchestra. I was also in the pep band, guest soloist for 1 song with the symphony orchestra, and have a music minor (well, I took the classes… I didn’t fill out the paperwork, lol). I highly recommend staying involved with music if that is something that you enjoy.</p>
<p>Here’s a couple clips of the orchestra:
[url=<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yYHzXM-9nw]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yYHzXM-9nw]YouTube</a> - Tako the Octopus of William & Mary, Halloween 2007<a href=“Halloween%2007”>/url</a>
[url=<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttkl9tTuyEA]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttkl9tTuyEA]YouTube</a> - Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 Movt. 1<a href=“more%20serious”>/url</a></p>
<p>thanks for asking this preaxlife, I had the exact same question! I think I even asked it on my class of 2014 board on here like back in december when I got in haha. I also want to join, message me if you wanna chat about music or anything or become friends on facebook lol</p>
<p>and thanks soccerguy and WM admission for your always-present help!</p>
<p>^YayyyYYYYYYYYYYYYyy! What instrument do you play???</p>
<p>I’m sure further instructions regarding auditions will be made available in the fall but my guess is the pieces are of your choosing at whatever level you feel comfortable with.</p>
<p>oh… make sure you go to the orchestra room during orientation… there will probably be a schedule on a door or wall to sign up for a time. The auditions will probably be that first week of school (the week that is only 3 days of class, not the first full week) so you don’t want to miss your chance.</p>
<p>^
thank you soccerguy
do u know if theres going to be an accompanist? because the pieces i am practicing needs an accompanist…I could do it alone but it will sound better with an accompanist</p>
<p>Not sure if an accompanist is present but you could certainly contact the can contact Akiko Fujimoto (757-221-1089). She’s the Director of the Orchestra and she can probably answer your questions about auditions</p>
<p>You will probably walk into her office, and it will be you and her. You will play your pieces and then she will give you a sight reading piece.</p>
<p>Have you played previously with an accompanist? Generally it requires multiple practice sessions and stuff.</p>
<p>I am 100% sure there will not be someone sitting in the office ready to sight read the piano part to your prepared piece. If you arranged ahead of time, I’m sure you could find a piano person in Williamsburg and rehearse a few times, and then bring your accompanist to your audition.</p>
<p>But remember, Akiko wants to hear how you sound… not how an accompanist sounds. I’m sure it would be fine to play it without one. </p>
<p>Here is the audition page with her email address: [William</a> & Mary Symphony Orchestra](<a href=“http://web.wm.edu/so/orchestra/audition.html]William”>http://web.wm.edu/so/orchestra/audition.html) just say you want to audition in the fall and you had a couple questions.</p>
<p>OK!
THank you so much WMadmission and soccerguy!!!</p>