What To Know:
Winners are invited onto Astral’s roster in fulfillment of Astral’s mission to discover the most promising classical musicians residing in the United States, assist their early professional career development, and present their world-class artistry to the community through concerts and outreach programs.
Astral provides – free of charge – individually tailored services that include but are not limited to:
• career guidance and practical advice in all areas of professional development.
• recital, chamber, and concerto performances on Astral’s acclaimed concert series, including Philadelphia and New York City debuts.
• collaborations with world-renowned musicians.
• auditions for major presenters, managers, and conductors.
• world premières of new compositions commissioned for the artists by Astral.
• extensive outreach training and performances.
Astral is seeking:
• exceptional musicians and/or ensembles ready to launch major solo and/or chamber music careers.
• enterprising artists with whom we can work to develop a communicative, helpful, and productive relationship.
Please Note:
• Prizes are not awarded at the Auditions; winners are invited to join Astral’s artist roster.
• There is no limit to the number of artists to be invited onto Astral’s rosters.
• The panel has the right to recommend no artists.
Auditions Schedule:
Application Deadline – Wednesday, November 3, 2010
• All application materials must be received (not postmarked) by this date.
Notification of Application Results – By Monday, December 6, 2010
• All applicants will be informed as to whether or not they have been advanced to the Live Auditions.
• You may call 215-735-6770 for results after this date if you have not already heard from us.
Live Auditions: Strings & Small String Ensembles – Tuesday, January 4, 2011
• Solo strings & ensembles predominantly composed of strings
• Applicable if advanced from Application/CD round
Live Auditions: Winds & Small Wind Ensembles – Wednesday, January 5, 2011
• Solo winds & ensembles predominantly composed of winds
• This year’s Auditions exclude solo flute.
• Applicable if advanced from Application/CD round
Live Auditions: Voice – Friday, January 7, 2011
• Applicable if advanced from Application/CD round
Notification of Live Audition Results – By January 31, 2011
• You may call 215-735-6770 for results after this date if you have not already heard from us.
Interview – January/February 2011
• Applicable if recommended by the panel following the Live Auditions
• Scheduled at a mutually agreeable time in January/February
Notification of Interview Results – Following individual interview
How To Apply:
Applicants must provide the following:
• A completed online application (available later this spring)
• A $60 non-refundable fee. (Make checks payable to Astral Artists or pay by credit card online)
• 3 letters of reference from qualified teachers, coaches, conductors, etc. Letters of reference may be:
–– emailed to Auditions, with the applicant’s name and instrument in the subject line.
–– faxed to Astral at 215-735-6856.
–– mailed to Astral: Audition Committee, Astral Artists, 230 S. Broad Street, Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
• 2 identical high-quality anonymous CDs
–– Refer to the Repertoire Guidelines to compile your CD.
–– Include your name only on the CD insert or CD case.
–– Include your repertoire on the CDs themselves.
–– Tracks must be recorded within the last 2 years.
–– The CD screening round is conducted anonymously. Therefore, do not include a name or photo on the CDs themselves.
–– Ensure that your CDs play properly. Blank or unplayable CDs will not be accepted; your application will be considered incomplete.
–– Cassette tapes, videotapes, and/or mp3 files will not be accepted.
–– Astral will not reproduce your CD if only 1 copy is submitted; your application will be considered incomplete.
Application Deadline:
• Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, November 3, 2010.
• All additional materials must be received (not postmarked) by this date.
Eligibility:
• 2011 Auditions exclude exclude Piano, Percussion & Flute (except within a Wind Ensemble).
• Applicants must be resident & legally eligible to perform in the United States.
• Applicants need not be citizens of the United States.
• Astral seeks the most exceptional emerging musicians who are ready to launch their careers.
• Applicants may be under professional management.
• Astral Artists encourages applications for participation in its artistic programs from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, gender identity, or any other legally protected status.
Please Note:
• Do not send additional materials other than what is requested.
• Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance for a live audition.
• All panel reviews and decisions are final.
• Feedback from the Application/CD round cannot be provided.
• Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
• CDs will not be returned.
• The application fee will not be refunded.
Repertoire Guidelines:
CD Repertoire Requirements:
• CDs must be at least 30 minutes in duration.
• CDs must include at least 3 major works demonstrating different styles and periods, at least 1 of which demonstrates virtuosity.
• Movements (represented in their entirety) from a larger work are acceptable, provided the aforementioned requirements are met.
• A recording of a soloist’s performance within an ensemble will not be accepted.
• Repertoire should reflect current level of achievement.
• Repertoire need not be the same as the repertoire prepared for the Live Auditions.
Live Audition Repertoire Requirements: Applicable if advanced from the Application/CD round
Your repertoire should include complete works – including all movements – representing the Baroque/Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary (written in 1900 or later) periods, while meeting the following criteria:
STRINGS
• 1 major concerto
• 1 major sonata
• 1 piece showing virtuosity
• 1 other piece of your choice
• Do not include repeats.
WINDS
• 1 major concerto or concert piece with orchestra
• 1 major sonata
• 1 piece showing virtuosity
• 1 other piece of your choice
• Do not include repeats.
VOICE
• 3 operatic arias representative of roles appropriate for you, and in varying styles and languages; at least 2 arias must be from standard repertoire
• 4 art songs or concert works such as German, French, English, or American songs; songs in any specialized language that you have mastered; or solos from the standard oratorio repertoire
SMALL STRING & SMALL WIND ENSEMBLES
• 4 complete major works, representing the:
–– Baroque/Classical period
–– Romantic period
–– Contemporary (written in 1900 or later) period
• Do not include repeats.
OTHER INSTRUMENTS & ENSEMBLES
• 4 complete major works (may include transcriptions), in as many varying styles as are appropriate for your instrument or ensemble
• Do not include repeats.
If Advanced To The Live Auditions:
General Information:
• If advanced from the Application/CD round, applicants will be invited to the Live Auditions.
•
All auditions are held in Rock Hall at Temple University, Philadelphia.
• Auditions for each discipline take place on one day only; they do not occur in rounds.
• The audition duration is 15-20 minutes.
• Refer to the Repertoire Guidelines for audition requirements.
Astral’s Accompanying Pianist:
An accompanying pianist will be provided free of charge for your audition, or you may bring your own. Rehearsal with the Astral-provided pianist may be possible, but at your own arrangement and expense.
Please Note:
• All panel reviews and decisions are final.
If You Are Chose As A Winner:
Winners of Astral’s National Auditions become members of the roster of Astral Artists. (There are no monetary prizes awarded at the auditions.) During an artist’s roster affiliation, Astral provides individually tailored services that include but are not limited to:
• career guidance and practical advice in all areas of professional development.
• recital, chamber, and concerto performances on Astral’s acclaimed concert series, including Philadelphia and New York City debuts.
• collaborations with world-renowned musicians.
• auditions for major presenters, managers, and conductors.
• world premières of new compositions commissioned for the artists by Astral.
• extensive outreach training and performances.
Astral’s services are free of charge for the duration of an artist’s affiliation with Astral, and artists are paid for performances that Astral presents or obtains on their behalf.