MARYLAND CLASSIC YOUTH ORCHESTRAS Future Stars

Katherine Smolen, conductor

A beginning training ensemble

Welcome to MCYO’s youngest ensemble. The MCYO Future Stars is conducted by Ms. Katherine Smolen, with the help of professional string coaches. For young string players in grades 2 through 5, the Future Stars is MCYO’s entry-level ensemble. The professional coaches teach, train, and develop each section at each rehearsal and also perform with the group.

Future Stars will focus on fundamental ensemble and orchestral performance training for students to help them prepare for the next level of MCYO ensembles.

Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 5:00 – 6:10pm at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church (on Old Georgetown Rd.)

Audition Requirements

Grades in School:
Strings ONLY: 2nd–4th Grade

Minimum Solo Level (MMEA grade level):
Difficulty grade level 2 and higher
(Students should select a solo that best showcases their playing level)

Musicians are required to learn the entire solo and will be asked to play a 3-5 minute excerpt from their solo. Solos must be played without piano accompaniment. Memorization of solos and excerpts is not required.

No Sight Reading required for Future Stars.

Download the Orchestral Excerpts Here.
*Some excerpts may be multiple pages.

Scales/Arpeggios must be memorized.
Musicians must play tonic scale and arpeggio.
Tempo, articulation, and style of the scale should reflect the ability of the musician. (Please refer to musician’s private teacher for advice.)
All scales/arpeggios are to be played ascending and descending.

Students need to play 2 scales, 1 major and 1 minor.
It can be ANY major and ANY minor scale of their choice. Both scales need to be 2 OCTAVE scales.