Students typically spend more than one year in each ensemble. The Violin and Cello Choirs are supplemental group classes for students taking weekly private lessons, generally through the Duke University String School.
Violin Choir II is a supplemental group class for students taking private lessons through the Duke University String School who have mastered the skills learned in the Violin Choir I group class. Students will build on technical skills learned in the Violin Choir I Group Class to prepare concert pieces as an ensemble. The class will begin with playing the G major scale with various bow strokes, and move to other 2-octave major and minor scales in 1st position. Throughout the year, students will play pieces in various keys and styles and learn ensemble skills such as playing in multiple parts (duets), more difficult rhythms, and enhancing dynamics with both right and left hand techniques, and playing double stops (on multiple strings at the same time). Students will learn how to find major key signatures, review major and minor intervals, and will continue developing sight-reading skills in first position.
Students in Violin Choir II should be working on vibrato in their private lessons so that the group can play pieces incorporating this technique.
Audition Prerequisites:
- Mastery of all audition prerequisites listed for Violin Choir I
- Understanding of dynamics
- Ability to play on all strings with left and right arms at the appropriate level (raised on the G string, relaxed on the E string).
- Ability to sight-read basic rhythms in 1st position (eighth notes, quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, rests)
Audition Guidelines: A scale and solo piece of your choice. Memorization of the scale and solo piece is preferred.
Audition Suggestions: D major, D minor, G major 2 octave scale, Bach Minuet 2 (Suzuki Book 1), Schumann Happy Farmer, Musette (Suzuki Book 2), Song of Many Lands (Solo Time Book 2), March by Bach/Seely-Brown (Solos for Young Violinists Volume 1).
