Summer Symphony Orchestra

We ask that all students submit an audition video, regardless of participation in past programs. The video helps our faculty and staff plan and prepare for group assignments, class schedules, private lesson schedules and much more for the music programs.

A recorded audition is required for acceptance. After  successfully completing the Camp InTouch application for the 2023 Summer Symphony Orchestra, students will then submit a recorded video.There is a $50 non-refundable application fee due at the time of audition.  

Priority Audition Deadline: 

February 1, 2023 

First round evaluation will take place shortly after this date. You will be notified of acceptance as soon as evaluations are complete.

Secondary Audition Deadline: 

April 15, 2023

The Honor Music Discount is reduced from $1200 to $800 for a two-week program after April 15.

Please allow up to two weeks for a response to allow time for faculty evaluation.

Summer Symphony Orchestra is aimed at ambitious and aspirational musicians who are considering careers in music, and as such, admission is selective. The priority audition deadline is February 1st, but applicants are encouraged to register and audition as early as possible to secure their seat.

Strings: 

• One 3 octave scale (2 octaves for basses)
• One arpeggio (your choice of key)
• Two contrasting pieces showcasing both technique and interpretive ability. Piano accompaniment optional.

Winds And Brass: 

• Two 2 octave scales with corresponding arpeggios (one prestissimo staccatissimo and the other largo legatissimo)
• Two contrasting pieces showcasing both technique and interpretive ability. Piano accompaniment optional.

Piano:

• Three pieces of contrasting styles, either solo or as part of an ensemble performance

Percussion:

Snare Drum:

• One etude from Advanced Snare Drum Studies by Mitchell Peters or comparable concert etude. Suggested: Etude #1

Mallets:

• 3 Major scales of your choice, 2 octaves
• Chromatic scale, 2 octaves beginning on C
• One two-mallet solo/etude from Modern School of Xylophone by Morris Goldenberg, Fundamental Method for Mallets by Mitchell Peters, or comparable etude. Suggested: Goldenberg Etude #5
• Optional: One intermediate to advanced level four-mallet solo/etude

Timpani:

• One etude from Fundamental Method for Timpani by Mitchell Peters or comparable etude. Suggested: Etude #51

Audition Instructions: 

1. Complete an online Camper application. Make sure to submit the application.  
2. Once you have completed the Camper Application, your application will be reviewed within 5 days by a member of the Enrollment team. At this time, you will be charged the $50 application fee and receive an email with a link to the Submittable audition application for you to submit your audition. 
3. Complete the Submittable application and provide an email address for your teacher recommendation form within Submittable. 

We use the platform Submittable to receive all auditions for the Summer Program (a universal  platform utilized for exhibitions, contests and even university and job applications).  It is very easy to use. You will be prompted to setup a free Submittable account with your email.  This account can be used for any future open calls you apply to at Idyllwild Arts and beyond!

Acceptance after Feb.1 will be made on a rolling basis, so it’s a good idea to get auditions in early.

Honors Music Discounts

Music students who participate in regional, state and national honor groups qualify for a discount of $1,200 for a two-week program and $600 for a one-week music program. After April 15, the Honor Discount is reduced to $800 for a two-week program and $400 for a one-week program so get your auditions in early! Additional financial aid based on financial need is available.

Enrollment Process for Honor Discount:

• Fill out the online application using the Register Now button on our website. 
• In the application, we ask if your child is in an honor group or band. 
  • Please fill in the Honor band questions when prompted in the application. 
• You will not see the deduction for the Honor Music discount when you get to the payment page  – as this is a discount, it must be manually applied by a member of the registration team. 
• When you submit your application, your card will not be charged immediately, as music students’ applications need to be reviewed for:
  • Instrument availability
  • Audition requirements (if applicable for the program)
  • Honor Music Group verification – we ask that you provide verification that your child is part of the Honor group you listed in the application. 
• Once we receive the application, we will review it within a week and:
  • Send you email instructions for verifying Honor group participation
  • Send you email instructions for completing the audition
• After the audition is reviewed and your child is accepted, we will manually enroll your child and apply the Honor Discount.

To verify your child’s participation in an Honor Ensemble:

1. Log on to your CampInTouch account (parent’s account*).
2. Click on the yellow pencil icon to go to the Forms & Documents page. 
3. You will then need to complete the following forms:

• Honor Music Group Verification Form**:
  Upload a document in PDF format verifying your membership in an All-State or Honor ensemble using the Upload Honor Music Group Verification by clicking in the arrow on the right-hand side of the form. (Examples of verification include a concert program, acceptance letter, or participation certificate.)

*Forms & Documents are only available on the parent’s CampInTouch account, not the camper’s account.

** Detailed instructions for uploading PDF documents are available on your CampInTouch account.

If you have any questions, we would be happy to help! Contact the Summer Registration Office by email at summer@idyllwildarts.org or by phone at (951) 468-7265.

• Metronome
• Instrument for selected program
• Blank music staff paper
• Pencil
• (Hardcopies of music will be provided when you arrive)

Concert dress code is a white top and black bottom with black shoes/socks. Students can mix and match from this list as desired:

• White button-down shirt, white blouse, or all white formal shirt (no sleeveless tops)
• Black pants, or black skirt (below the knees)
• Black dress shoes and socks
• No ties, bowties, or suit jackets

2022 repertoire included:

• Richard Strauss: Fanfare for the Vienna Philharmonic
• Aaron Copland: El Salon Mexico
• Cécile Chaminade Prelude and Pas des Echarpes from Callirhoe Suite Op. 37
• Hector Berlioz: A Ball, March to the Scaffold, and Dream of a Witches’ Sabbath from Symphonie Fantastique Op. 14 

*repertoire subject to changes

Daniel Bassin is an active and experienced conductor, composer/improviser, trumpeter and educator. Hailing from Long Island, NY, and with musical roots in New York City, Boston, MA, and Buffalo, NY, Dr. Bassin is excited to begin his tenure as Director of Orchestras at Idyllwild Arts, beginning the 2022-2023 school year. Having previously served in orchestral conducting faculty positions at the State University of New York campuses of the University at Buffalo (UB) and Buffalo State College, Dr. Bassin has also had extensive experience working with choruses.

A passionate advocate of both the music of our time and neglected masterworks, Dr. Daniel Bassin has world-premiered more than 100 new compositions in concert and has presented over 50 rare classics in their regional first hearings. His performances have taken him to 38 countries and 42 American states. Featured numerous times in Buffalo’s ArtVoice Classical Music Notes column, reviewer Jan Jezioro writes Daniel “consistently programs some of the most innovative classical music in Western New York.” He received his initial training in Long Island public schools and at the Juilliard School’s Pre-College, followed by the New England Conservatory (B.M. with Honors in Composition), Bard College (M.F.A. in Orchestral Conducting), and in the spring of 2014 he was awarded the Ph.D. in Composition from the University at Buffalo.

*The instrument breakdown listed above is a projection of the intended enrollment for the program – actual final enrollment may vary slightly from this at the conductor’s discretion.