AUDITIONS
We are excited that you want to audition for the Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra! This year we will be doing virtual auditions Please read the requirements for auditioning closely, and email gjones@thejacksonsymphony.org with any questions you might have!
Instructions:
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Please go fill out an audition form (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TJYOauditions2122).
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Record your virtual audition. Make sure you and your instrument are visible at all times. Record all three sections in three different video clips. (Sections listed below)
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Email virtual audition videos with your name and instrument to JSYOrchestra@gmail.com. Multiple emails might be necessary to send videos due to file size.
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All virtual submissions will be accepted from May 9, 2022-May 20, 2022. Please make sure you have time to upload and send your videos.
String requirements:
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Major Scales: Concert G, E, Bb, Gb.
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Have a two minute solo or etude prepared that you feel demonstrates your current ability and level of playing.
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Perform an entire excerpt for your instrument. Excerpt found by clicking the link on this page
Woodwinds and Brass requirements:
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Major Scales: Concert G, E, Bb, Gb..
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Have a two minute solo or etude prepared that you feel demonstrates your current ability and level of playing.
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Perform entire excerpt for your instrument. Excerpt found by clicking the link on this page
Percussion requirements:
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Perform a two minute solo on the marimba or snare.
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You will be required to perform the linked excerpt on timpani.
CAMP
The Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra summer camp has concluded for this year. Thank you for your interest and stay tuned for information about the 2023-2024 camp!
Auditions and Camp Info
2022-2023 Season
Our History
The Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra (JSYO) is an exciting opportunity for students of Madison County and surrounding areas. The Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra challenges students to develop their musical skills to their fullest potential, and play exciting literature.
Beginning in the fall we will start the 20th season. The orchestra will present not only three of their own concerts during their season, but we are also thrilled that the Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra will be playing on one side-by-side performance with The Jackson Symphony this year. This special integration of the youth with the professional players gives a priceless opportunity to see what it would be like to be a professional level group. Another way JSYO will be able to benefit from The Jackson Symphony, is through its captivating conductor Peter Shannon. Not only will he direct the side by side concerts, but also occasionally appear as a guest conductor at the JSYO rehearsals to both inspire and motivate our next generation of musicians. The Youth Program will also provide chances to play in smaller ensembles around Jackson, bringing music to those who need cheering up.
The Symphony is excited to host two competitions this year. A concerto competition will be held in the spring for members of JSYO who would like the chance to perform a movement of a concerto with the rest of the Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra. This will be a public competition, where soloists will play before an audience and judging panel in order to see who will get the chance to perform. The other competition is a composition competition. This competition will be open to both high school and college students of Tennessee. Budding composers will submit scores to be judged, and the final selections will then be premiered by our very own Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra. The winning composer will not only have their work premiered, but also be invited to attend a rehearsal in which they may describe their composition, and any pointers they could suggest to our players.
Entry into The Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra is by audition. Serious young musicians who play any string instrument, standard orchestral brass and woodwinds, or percussion are invited to audition. Rehearsals are held at Union University on Thursday evenings from 7-9 pm.
The Latest
Our Conductor
Grace Jones has always had a passion for music and music education and has been playing the violin since she was six years old. She holds a degree in music from Union University where she served as the concertmaster of the Union orchestra. A violin and viola instructor, Grace currently works at the Jackson Symphony office, and the Medina Music Academy teaching students and adults who want to succeed in the fine arts. Her students have performed and competed all over West Tennessee She also conducts Sinfonia, a youth string ensemble of the Jackson Symphony.
In addition to teaching, Grace plays violin and viola throughout the east coast. Currently she plays in the first violin section with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. She also plays with the symphony by playing in the local hospital and cancer center to give comfort through music as part of The Jackson Symphony’s Integrative Medicine Program. Grace also occasionally performs with The Paducah Symphony and Murray State University in the first violin section. Grace also enjoys playing with the group Psallos, touring with them for their northeast Hebrews tour, and recording the Hebrews album.