Welcome to the AVS orchestral training page! Here you will find sage advice from many orchestral violists on how to expertly prepare excerpts for auditions. This page includes audio & video resources, JAVS articles and edited audition excerpts.
Orchestral Training
Members Only Resources
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Yizhak Schotten on Mendelssohn Scherzo from Midsummer Night’s Dream
Mendelssohn Scherzo Audio Commentary
Mendelssohn Scherzo Performance
Mendelssohn Scherzo Excerpt, edited by Yizhak Schotten
Yizhak Schotten on Strauss Don Juan
Strauss Don Juan Audio Commentary
Strauss Don Juan Performance
Strauss Don Juan Excerpt, edited by Yizhak Schotten
Yizhak Schotten on Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 Audio Commentary
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 Performance
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 Excerpt, edited by Yizhak Schotten
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JAVS Articles
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| JAVS 29/1, p. 43 | Spring 2013 | Carla Maria Rodrigues | The Opera Musician |
| JAVS 26/2, p. 59 | Fall 2010 | Carrie Dennis | Excerpts by Shostakovich, Enesco and Mendelssohn |
| JAVS 24/2, p. 59 | Fall 2008 | Robert Vernon | Brahms Symphony #4 |
| JAVS 23/1, p. 43 | Spring 2007 | Mark Jackobs | Brahms Haydn Variations |
| JAVS 22/2, p. 45 | Fall 2006 | Stephen Wyrczynski | For Counting Out Loud! |
| JAVS 22/1, p. 33 | Spring 2006 | Basil Vendryes | Ravel Daphnis & Chloe and Mahler Symphony #10 |
| JAVS 21/2, p. 51 | Fall 2005 | Sam Bergman | Extracurricular Activities |
| JAVS 21/1, p. 33 | Spring 2005 | Jöel Belgique | Brahms Second Symphony, Op. 73 |
| JAVS 19/2, p. 71 | Fall 2003 | Michael I. Strauss | Preparing Excerpts from Beethoven's Third and Fifth Symphonies |
| JAVS 19/1, p. 63 | Spring 2003 | Randy Kelly | Ginastera Variaciones Concertantes, Op. 23 |
| JAVS 18/2,3, p.81 | Summer/Fall Special Edition 2002 | Yizhak SchottenJ | Preparing a Successful Audition - Beyond the Basics |
| JAVS 18/1, p. 19 | Spring 2002 | Dan Foster | Strauss Don Quixote and Ein Heldenleben |
| JAVS 17/1, p. 61 | Spring 2001 | Christine Rutledge | Orchestra Repertoire Lists |
| JAVS 17/3, p. 35 | Fall 2001 | Patricia McCarty | Developing Spiccato for All Occasions |
| JAVS 16/3, p. 39 | Fall 2000 | Charles R. Pikler | Wagner's Overtures to Tannhäuser |
| JAVS 16/2, p. 31 | Summer 2000 | Ellen Rose | Distribution of Responsibilities in a Viola Section |
| JAVS 15/3, p. 33 | Fall 1999 | Robert Vernon | Mendelssohn Scherzo, Mozart Symphony No. 35, Strauss Don Juan |
| JAVS 16/1, p. 31 | Spring 2000 | Evan Wilson | Shostakovich No. 5 |
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Edited Excerpts
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The PDFs linked below are orchestral audition parts edited by esteemed teachers and orchestral performers. The AVS hopes to add to this list in the near future.
Mendelssohn Scherzo, edited by Yitzhak Schotten
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6, edited by Yizhak Schotten
Strauss Don Juan, edited by Yizhak Schotten
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