Cantate Deo Youth Orchestra
***All previous Cantate Deo members in 2022 must re-audition in 2023***
Commitment
Cantate Deo’s flagship orchestra (now Cantate Deo Youth Orchestra, previously Cantate Deo Chamber Orchestra) is a ministry which demands a commitment of heart, time and effort. A year serving in Cantate Deo Orchestra includes:
- Serving in IREC Sydney’s major calendar events including Good Friday (April), Easter (April), Concert of Prayer (October), Revival Day (October) and Christmas (December).
- Preparing for a major end-of-year concert and other concerts throughout the year (mini concert, kids concert etc.)
- Weekly rehearsals and many extra intensive rehearsals leading up to major events.
Serving in Cantate Deo is not something to be taken lightly and will require a lot of commitment as serving in the music ministry will require a lot of practice and dedication. We need to work as a team and consistent participation in rehearsals from all members is key.
More than that, the music ministry is about leading others to worship God through our music. We need a united heart and a same spirit to be able to serve in this ministry. This only comes if we are willing to be humble and learn to let God shape us in this ministry. We learn together in this ministry about what it means to worship God seriously and sincerely not only in our music but also in our lives because we cannot praise God if we do not want to submit our lives to Him in obedience.
We will take the audition process for previous members and new members seriously and will prayerfully consider not only technical skill, but more importantly, commitment from players and parents.
We want to learn to be faithful with the gifts and talents God has entrusted to us in this church. If you have the same heart and desire, pray for us, pray with us, and consider auditioning for 2023.
Below are some technical details and requirements for the 2023 auditions.
Application Requirements
- Candidate is a member of IREC or is a regular worshipper at IREC Sydney (only for international students) and regularly attends Prayer Meeting/Persekutuan Doa (for all candidates)
- The candidate must be aged Year 7 or above
- Have skills in sight reading
- Candidates have on average, the equivalent to an AMEB Grade 5 standard of playing in the instrument applied for. Auditions will be passed on a case-by-case basis.
Please note that the number per section in the orchestra is limited, therefore enrolment of new members will be considered depending on the number for each section.
Rehearsal
- Routine Rehearsal: Every Saturday approximately 2-2.5 hours per week, the exact time TBC. In 2023 routine rehearsals will commence on the 25th February, members are expected to arrive, set up and tune instruments 15 minutes before rehearsal starts.
- Members are expected to attend rehearsals every week. If valid reasons for absences are given, we expect members to catch up what is missed in their own individual practice. Sustained unexplained absences from rehearsal may result in consequences determined by the committee.
- Additional Rehearsal: When necessary, there will be a notice of an additional rehearsal. Every member is obliged to attend, members will be given a at minimum, 1 week prior notice to the rehearsal.
Audition Information
For the audition, the auditionee is required to prepare:
- 1x scale (any key, octave and rhythm)
- 1x piece of own choice
- 2x provided excerpt (will be provided shortly after registration)
Auditions will be held on Saturday 11th & 18th, and Sunday 12th & 19th of February. Applications will close on Saturday 4th of February. Soon after application, excerpts for the audition will be shared. Individual audition slots will be allocated and shared by Sunday 5th February.
Auditions will take approximately 10 minutes, and candidates will set up and tune instruments outside the audition room before their audition slot.
For new members who have not yet joined Cantate Deo in previous years, an interview with representatives of the orchestra will be required.
Cantate Deo Academy Ensemble
The Cantate Deo Academy Ensemble (previously Junior Ensemble) is a training ground orchestra for members younger than year 7. Commitment in this orchestra is just as important as the flagship orchestra and we hope that parents and members in this orchestra will have patience and diligence to preparing to serve in the flagship orchestra when the time is right.
A focus of the Cantate Deo Academy Ensemble is to continue taking private lessons and improving technically on their own. This is an essential commitment for the Cantate Deo Academy Ensemble. Aside from that, the Cantate Deo Academy Ensemble will serve in praise offerings for services as well as other occasions. There will be some opportunities for selected players to partake in rehearsal and performances with the flagship orchestra for certain events.
All that is written above in the Cantate Deo Youth Orchestra commitment section regarding heart commitment and a willingness to learn also applies here.
Application Requirements
- Candidate is a member of IREC or is a regular worshipper at IREC Sydney (only for international students) and regularly attends Prayer Meeting/Persekutuan Doa (for all candidates)
- Playing at a Grade 2 AMEB or equivalent standard in the instrument applied for.
- Skilled in sight reading at a Grade 2 level or have a background in music, such as piano or other instruments.
- Candidate is willing to take private lessons for the instrument applied for until, at minimum, Grade 5 qualifications are reached.
Rehearsal
- Junior Ensemble will rehearse every Saturday OR Sunday, for approximately 1 hour per week. The exact time TBC. Members are expected to arrive, set up and tune instruments 15 minutes before rehearsal starts.
- Members are expected to attend rehearsals every week. If valid reasons for absences are given, we expect members to catch up what is missed in their own individual practice. Sustained unexplained absences from rehearsal may result in consequences determined by the committee.
Audition Information
For the audition, the auditionee is required to prepare:
- 1x scale (any key, octave and rhythm)
- 1x piece of own choice
- 2x provided excerpt (will be provided shortly after registration)
Auditions will be held on Saturday 11th & 18th, and Sunday 12th & 19th of February. Applications will close on Saturday 4th of February. Soon after application, excerpts for the audition will be shared. Individual audition slots will be allocated and shared by Sunday 5th February.
Auditions will take approximately 10 minutes, and candidates will set up and tune instruments outside the audition room before their audition slot.
For new members who have not yet joined Cantate Deo in previous years, an interview with representatives of the orchestra will be required.
