Dear ASCYO Families and Friends:

The Academy of Saint Cecilia will hold auditions for the Prep, Chamber, and Youth Orchestras, Flute Choir and Concert Band for the 2010-2011 season. Auditions will be held at Damascus United Methodist Church, 9700 New Church Street, Damascus, MD 20872. (map)

The audition schedule is as follows:

August 24-25: Flute Choir, Chamber Orchestra and Youth Orchestra woodwind and brass players;
August 25: Concert Band andPercussion – Concert Band, Chamber and Youth Orchestras,
August 24-26: Prep, Chamber  and Youth Orchestras strings;.

The auditions will be 10 minutes in length from 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm each evening.

Click the requirements button above for the 2010-2011 audition requirements, by ensemble and instrument. The complete set of audition requirements can be downloaded as a word document here.  Please download the Audition Form (word document or pdf document) here, fill it out, and bring it to your audition.

In order to streamline the audition process and enhance each ensemble, some changes have been made.  First, auditions will be held only in the fall of each year. Second, there will not be a separate seat audition for all string players interested in the Prep, Chamber and Youth orchestras. Seating assignments will be part of the initial audition. Third, outside judges will be a part of the string auditions process. Fourth, we have scheduled rehearsals so that students may participate in both Orchestra and Band ensembles. If you would like to participate in multiple ensembles, please notify us at the audition.  Finally, the annual fee is $155.00 per student (with the exception of the Beginning Band, which the fee is $100.00 per student). This fee is fully refundable until the first rehearsal of the fall season, after which there will be no refunds, except in cases of extreme family hardship.

The Prep, Chamber, and Youth Orchestras, Flute Choir and Concert Band begin rehearsals on September 7.  The Instrument Petting Zoo for the Beginning Band will be held on September 7, and 14 from 7:00 - 9:00. Classes begin September 21. ASCYO welcomes Mr. Charles Doherty as the new ASCYO Band Director.  

The Academy of Saint Cecilia Youth Orchestras and Bands rehearse weekly on Tuesday nights at Damascus United Methodist Church, September through May. Each ensemble performs two series of concerts: one in December and one in April or May.  Attendance and proper concert dress is required.

To schedule an audition, sign up for the Beginning Band Petting Zoo, or get additional information about the ASCYO, please call Lerna May-Frandsen, Executive Director at (301) 821-1162 or contact her by email at Talenthntr@aol.com. When emailing, please put ASCYO Auditions in the subject line. Please share the enclosed fliers with your students and encourage them to audition.  We need your help to continue to make the Academy of Saint Cecilia a success. The Academy of Saint Cecilia’s mission is to serve the community by providing opportunity for young musicians to grow spiritually and attain musical excellence through instruction, rehearsal and public performance of the great musical compositions of the past and present. Admission is open to qualified musicians without regard to sex, race, religion or country of origin.

Sincerely,

Lerna May-Frandsen
Executive Director