If you’re going
* What: Auditions for the Forsyth Youth Orchestra
* Who: Any student in sixth through 12th grades who plays violin, viola, cello or bass
* When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday
* Where: Academy of Creative Education cafeteria, 1120 Dahlonega Hwy.
* For more information, contact orchestra director Corina Brito at (678) 485-4665 or corinabrito@mac.com.
A recently formed youth orchestra will hold open auditions Monday.
The Forsyth Youth Orchestra, which is open to any student in sixth through 12thgrades who plays a string instrument, will hold auditions from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Academy of Creative Education’s cafeteria.
The academy is in the building behind the Forsyth County Board of Education Office, 1120 Dahlonega Hwy.
Corina Brito, founder and director of the youth orchestra, said the group, which formed in February, has 16 members and there’s room for many more.
“The group will welcome every string musician who succeeds during the audition,” she said.
Students who wish to audition must play violin, viola, cello or bass and be able to read music.
During auditions, each student will be asked to perform one piece of music of his or her choice, conduct sight readings and perform certain scales.
“The musician needs to have a certain level of technical ability and musicianship on their instrument to be able to play the repertoire the orchestra will perform,” Brito said.
Students also need to be able to commit to attending the group’s rehearsals, which are 6 to 7:30 p.m. every Monday in the cafeteria.
Brito said she hopes word is getting out about the local youth orchestra, which held its first community concert in May at the Cumming Playhouse.
“My hopes are that more string students in Forsyth County are learning about the FYO existence and becoming interested in being a part of this wonderful group of musicians,” she said.
“This school year promises to be a great one for the orchestra with already many performance commitments for the fall.”
She added that the orchestra is a positive experience for any string player, especially since there aren’t many opportunities for them to perform publically in Forsyth since public school band programs don’t typically include string instruments.
“The students are proud to be a part of the first orchestra in their community and to be able to share the beauty of music making with others,” Brito said.