November 6, 2006

AUDITIONS FOR COUNTY CONCERTO ANNOUNCED

First Place Students to Perform with KM Symphony

Area middle and high school music students are encouraged to register soon for the annual Washington County Concerto so they can begin work on their selected concerto pieces. The Washington County Concerto Auditions are sponsored by the Moraine Area Private Music Teachers Organization (MAPMTO) and the UW-Washington County Music Department.  This is an excellent opportunity for talented voice and instrumental students in grades 6-12 to audition for prizes, and an opportunity to perform with the Kettle Moraine Symphony.  Performing their solo work with a semi-professional orchestra is an invaluable and memorable experience, which marks an achievement for a lifetime.

Categories include:
Sixth Grade Piano Division: Grade 6 only
Piano Junior Division: Grades 7 and 8
Piano Senior Division: Grades 9-12
Instrumental Junior Division: Grades 6-8
Instrumental Senior Division: Grades 9-12
Vocal Senior Division: Grades 9-12

Rehearsals (Optional): Friday, January 26, 2006; 3:00pm-5:00pm and Saturday, January 27, 2007; 8:00am-5:00pm.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2007 in the UW-Washington County Theatre and rehearsal rooms. The auditions are open to the public. 

Registrations may be directed to Dan Anhalt, Director of Continuing Education at 262-335-5218 (email: danhalt@uwc.edu).

Audition questions may be directed to   Pat Hauser (262-677-4980) or Karla Siegler (262-335-5218).

Fees: Sixth Grade Piano Division and Junior divisions-$20, Senior Divisions-$25

Deadline: Application with fee must be postmarked no later than January 6, 2007. (Refunds are available only if the participant withdraws prior to the application deadline.)

Background Info:
The Washington County Concerto Auditions began in 1972 with five students and two divisions for high school students.  Today the auditions have expanded to six divisions with more than 50 students participating from grades 6 to 12.  This success is a measure of the commitment of the Moraine Area Private Music Teachers Organization, the sponsorship of the UW-WC Music Department, the involvement of students and their parents, and the partnership with the Kettle Moraine Symphony.  This community orchestra is an integral part of the audition, as the first place winners perform with the symphony at their annual Concerto Concert.  The opportunity for the winner to perform their solo work with a semi-professional orchestra is an invaluable and memorable experience, which marks their achievement for a lifetime.

A concerto is music written for a solo instrument which is accompanied by an orchestra, and because of the nature of the composition, the technical and musical abilities of the performer are showcased.  In addition to instrumental and piano divisions, the audition includes a vocal division that allows singers to perform solo works (arias, art songs, etc.) that have orchestral accompaniments.  The only division which does not require orchestral accompaniment is the Sixth Grade Piano Division; the winner of this division performs with piano accompaniment at the annual Honors Recital.