CHILDREN PLAY FOR A CHANCE TO PERFORM AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL : MUSICAL KIDS TAKE THEIR SHOT DISNEY ORCHESTRA HOLDS AUDITIONS.

Byline: Lori Moody Daily News Staff Writer

As if she wasn't nervous enough, Jacqueline Marshall thought for a moment that her chance at playing the harp at the Hollywood Bowl would be done in by a tiny contact lens.

During the sight reading part of the audition Friday for a spot in the Disney's Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra, the 12-year-old Glendora girl had to remove her new contact lenses because they were blurring her vision.

``I thought, `Oh, no.' But the judges said that was all right,'' Jacqueline said. ``I did great. I didn't make any mistakes.''

Jacqueline is one of more than 600 youngsters who applied for a chance to play in the orchestra, which is in its sixth year.

The auditions will continue today and Sunday at Mount St. Mary's College in Brentwood, the last leg of a nationwide search for 85 musicians ages 8 to 12. Auditions also were held recently in Houston, New York and Chicago. Letters announcing the audition results will go out April 1.

Those chosen will attend a 12-day music camp in June where they will have the opportunity to work with professional composers and performers in workshops and rehearsals. Branford Marsalis, Dudley Moore, Doc Severinsen and the late Henry Mancini are among the performers who have worked with the students in the past.

Their efforts will culminate with a public performance June 25 at the Hollywood Bowl. Their experience will be shown on the Disney Channel in August. And, yes, they do get a trip to Disneyland.

``There is very little opportunity for musicians in this age bracket,'' said Edye Rugolo, executive director of the Young Musicians Foundation, a Los Angeles-based organization involved in the Disney effort. ``Sometimes they're not taken very seriously and this is where it all starts.''

Orchestra producer Gail Purse said judges were looking for more than just playing ability.

``When they come here, they should share the common goal - the love of music,'' she said.

The youngsters were required to submit written applications that included any performance experience and award history, as well as a recommendation by a private or school music teacher.

During the audition, the youngsters got 10 minutes to play two pieces of music, then demonstrate their ability at sight reading.

They showed up in their Sunday best but tried not to show their anxiousness. Nervous moms and dads had to wait outside the audition room as each youngster took his or her turn.

``I'd rather be out here,'' said Jacqueline's mom, Gail Marshall.

Her husband and designated harp carrier, Paul, had a different opinion.

``I'd rather be in there,'' he said. ``Yeah, I'm nervous for her. I can hear her playing in there and she sounds real good.''

Granada Hills resident Katrina Bobbs, 8, was the picture of calm. Then she got before the three judges.

``My heart was beating,'' said the budding violinist clad in a plaid taffeta dress her mother bought from the American Girl doll catalog, matching green hair ribbons and patent leather shoes. ``I think I have a little chance of getting picked.''

Her brother, Philip, 13, was in the orchestra last year.

``It was so much fun,'' he said. ``I made a lot of good friends.''

Ryan Terronez, 12, and his dad, Simon, drove from their Fresno home Thursday to attend the audition. Ryan said he hoped to play at the Hollywood Bowl.

``I really like to play my trombone and I wanted to do something big with it,'' Ryan said.

His father said he has tried to encourage his children's interest in music and the camp would be a wonderful gift.

``I think (the music camp) is just part of the experience of wherever he's going with music,'' the elder Terronez said. ``I think it's prestigious. All the kids at school knew he was going down and were rooting for him.''

Tim Braun, 11, of Palos Verdes practiced 1-1/2 hours on his violin before his morning tryout in hopes of a second return to the orchestra. He and his brother, Joshua, now 13, were part of last year's group.

The best part was meeting new people - like Walt Disney Co. Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner - and professional musicians and playing at the Bowl, he said.

``I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch,'' Braun said after finishing his audition. ``I just hope for the best.''

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3 Photos

Photo: (1) Katrina Bobbs, 8, auditions for the Disney Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra.

(2) Violinist Katrina Bobbs of Granada Hills waits outside the audition room in Brentwood.

(3) Music teacher Gail Mellert and daughter Jaimie listen to one of her students, Tim Braun, audition for the Disney Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra at Mount St. Mary's College in Brentwood.

David Sprague/Daily News