Some Redhawks orchestra and band members are beginning the audition process for the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (GDYO). The audition pieces were released Feb. 1, with deadlines ranging from April 6-13.

Students such as freshman Rishab Srivatsan are auditioning to gain experience as both a musician and a full orchestra member.

“GDYO will help me improve different techniques with fellow students while also experiencing what it is like to play in a full orchestra every week,” Srivatsan said.

In order to be accepted, students must learn three to five excerpts, depending on the instrument, in addition to performing three scales and a solo.

Shruti Varadarajan, a freshman, is hoping to learn all the materials through hard work and with private lessons every week.

“I am working with my private teacher every week with a metronome to progress my skills for the excerpts,” Varadarajan said. “Listening to the music piece online and first playing the excerpts slowly is also something I will continue to do.”

Students who earn a spot in GDYO are required to go to rehearsals to prepare for three concerts that take place every season.

Junior Irene Na, a member of the GDYO program for six years, has been enjoying the numerous rehearsals in preparation for the concert.  

“I really like the repertoire our conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra chooses for each concert season as it’s greatly different from what I play elsewhere,” Na says. “It’s nice to get to know other people and meet friends from different regions of the Dallas area. When the actual concert day comes, it’s a very rewarding experience when our orchestra performs.”