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 engagement programs.

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.
• collaborations with world-renowned musicians.
• auditions for major presenters, managers, and conductors.
• world premieres of new compositions commissioned for the artists by Astral.
• extensive engagement 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:
• 2013 Auditions exclude Solo Viola, Solo Clarinet & Percussion.
• 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 roster.
• The panel has the right to recommend no artists.

AUDITIONS SCHEDULE

Application Deadline: Monday, November 5, 2012.
• All application materials must be received (not postmarked) by this date.

Application Results/Live Auditions Schedule posted on Astral’s website: by Monday, December 3, 2012
• The dates and times of the auditions for those candidates selected to advance to the live auditions will be posted on Astral’s website by this date. If a candidate’s name does not appear on the schedule, he/she was not selected to advance to the live auditions this year.

Piano: Thursday, January 3, 2013
• Applicable if advanced from Application/CD round

Winds & Small Wind Ensembles: Monday, January 7, 2013
• Solo strings & ensembles predominantly composed of strings
• This year’s Auditions exclude Solo Clarinet.
• Applicable if advanced from Application/CD round

Strings & Small String Ensembles: Tuesday, January 8, 2013
• Solo strings & ensembles predominantly composed of strings
• This year’s Auditions exclude Solo Viola.
• Applicable if advanced from Application/CD round

Voice: Thursday, January 10, 2013
• Applicable if advanced from Application/CD round

Notification of Live Audition Results: by January 31, 2013

Interview: January/February 2013
• Applicable if recommended by the panel following the Live Auditions
• Scheduled at a mutually agreeable time in January/February

Notification of Interview Results: following the completion of all interviews

HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must provide the following:
• A completed online application
• 3 professional references. Contact information for 3 references are requested within the online application form, in case there should be any need for the Audition Committee to contact them. Letters of recommendation are not required.
• A $70 non-refundable fee. (The fee for ensembles is $70 total; not $70 per artist in the ensemble.) Make checks payable to Astral Artists or pay by credit card online
• 1 high-quality anonymous CD
–– 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 CD itself.
–– 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 CD itself.
–– Ensure that your CD plays properly. A blank or unplayable CD will not be accepted; your application will be considered incomplete.
–– Cassette tapes, videotapes, and/or mp3 files will not be accepted.

Application Deadline:
• Applications must be submitted by Monday, November 5, 2012.
• CD & application fee must also be received (not postmarked) by this date.

Eligibility:
• 2013 Auditions exclude Solo Viola, Solo Clarinet & Percussion.
• 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 – Instrumentalists & Ensembles:
• CDs must be at least 20 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.
• Repertoire should reflect current level of achievement.
• Repertoire need not be the same as the repertoire prepared for the Live Auditions.
• Only recordings in which the applicant is the featured soloist will be accepted; a recording of the applicant’s performance within an ensemble will not be accepted. (i.e. A concerto performance would be accepted, but a performance within a piano quintet, for example, would not.)
• CDs may only be edited if you wish to cut extraneous/non-musical portions of your CD selections (i.e. spoken introductions or lengthy applause, etc.). CDs may not be edited in any way to enhance the performance quality of the CD.

CD Repertoire Requirements – Voice:
• CDs must be at least 15 minutes in duration.
• CDs must include operatic arias as well as art songs or concert works, in varying styles and languages.
• Repertoire should reflect current level of achievement.
• Repertoire need not be the same as the repertoire prepared for the Live Auditions.
• Only recordings in which the applicant is the featured soloist will be accepted; a recording of the applicant’s performance within an ensemble will not be accepted. (i.e. An aria would be accepted, but a solo quartet performance from an oratorio, for example, would not.)
• CDs may only be edited if you wish to cut extraneous/non-musical portions of your CD selections (i.e. spoken introductions or lengthy applause, etc.). CDs may not be edited in any way to enhance the performance quality of the CD.

Live Audition Repertoire Requirements:
Applicable if advanced from the Application/CD round

SOLO PIANO, STRINGS & WINDS
• 1 major concerto or concert piece with orchestra (for pianists: a second piano will be on stage for the accompanying pianist)
• 1 major sonata
• 1 piece showing virtuosity
• 1 other piece of your choice
• Do not include repeats.
• 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 above criteria.

SMALL STRING & WIND ENSEMBLES
• 4 complete major works, representing the:
–– Baroque/Classical period
–– Romantic period
–– Contemporary (written in 1900 or later) period
• Do not include repeats.
• 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 above criteria.

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.
• 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 above criteria.

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
• 2 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
• 1 musical theater song, from any era of musical theater

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:
You are welcome to bring your own accompanying pianist with you to the live auditions, or you may use the Astral-provided pianist, for $40. 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 CHOSEN AS A WINNER
Winners of Astral’s National Auditions are invited to become members of the roster of Astral Artists. Roster artists receive invaluable career services and support during their affiliation with Astral, and artists are paid for all performances that Astral presents or obtains on their behalf.

Extraordinary benefits of being a member of Astral’s artist roster include the following:

• During the 2011-2012 season, Astral secured over $100,000 in contracts for its roster of artists, for their participation on Astral’s acclaimed concert series and in numerous venues in the U.S. and abroad, including New York City’s Merkin Concert Hall and the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., and with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Asheville Symphony, Princeton Symphony, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Asociación de Conciertos Panama, Bach Festival of Montreal, Sanibel Festival, Puerto Rico’s Pro Arte Musical, Germany’s Seefeld Series, and several venues in Australia.
• Roster artists have the opportunity to audition for and network with major managers, presenters, and conductors, which have included
Columbia Artists Management, IMG Artists, Schwalbe & Partners, Barrett Vantage Management, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Marlboro Music Festival, Kingston Chamber Music Festival, Opera Company of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Luis Biava, Christoph Eschenbach, Rossen Milanov, and Emmanuel Plasson.
• Astral creates collaborations for its roster artists with professionals at the top of the classical music field, which lead to mutually rewarding partnerships. Distinguished artists presented on Astral’s concert series with Astral roster artists have included soprano Julianne Baird; violinists Ida Kavafian, David Kim, Gidon Kremer, and Midori; violists Roberto Díaz and Steven Tenenbom; pianists Mikael Eliasen, Claude Frank, Radu Lupu, Garrick Ohlssohn, Danielle Orlando, and Wolfgang Sawallisch.
• Astral regularly commissions works for its roster artists, and has presented world premières by Kati Agócs, Andrea Clearfield, Jennifer Higdon, Aaron Jay Kernis, Gerald Levinson, David Ludwig, Jay Reise, Paul Schoenfield, Yevgeniy Sharlat, and many others.
• Astral’s artists participate in its acclaimed Education & Community Engagement program. The artists themselves determine the repertoire performed at these events and are encouraged to explore new repertoire of their choosing. These events provide artists with invaluable performance opportunities in safe venues prior to engagements in major, high-visibility concert halls. Astral’s roster artists are financially remunerated for all engagement events, and are provided with housing and transportation for these events. Over 160 Education & Community Engagement performances occur per year in carefully selected schools, private homes, hospitals, retirement communities, and community centers. Artists participate in these programs as their schedules permit. All events are managed by Astral, and a staff member is in attendance at every event to ensure quality and promote relationship building.
• In collaboration with members of its distinguished Board of Advisors, Astral’s staff meets regularly with its artists to discuss, evaluate, and strategize how best to meet their individual immediate and future career goals.

Questions? Contact Auditions @ AstralArtists.org or 215-735-6770