Audition Requirements

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Spring Audition Dates:
     Sign up to audition between April 24 - May 19, 2023.
     Audition video due by May 26, 2023. 

Summer Audition Dates:
     Sign up to audition by August 18, 2023. 
     Audition video due by Aug 25, 2023. 
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​Please see below for the audition requirements for each ensemble. Be sure to prepare all audition requirements listed. Students should consult with their private teacher or public school teacher when selecting an appropriate solo piece. Students should not use school ensemble music as their solo piece. 

Wind, brass, and percussion students auditioning for Concert Orchestra or Symphonic Orchestra should audition in May.  Places may be filled by August. 

​By viewing and listening to scales, arpeggios, and solo pieces, our artistic staff will evaluate each musician's readiness to join our ensembles. The artistic staff will place students in the ensemble that is best suited for them.

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PREPARATORY STRING ENSEMBLE. 
Please prepare a single video with the following components:

• Two major scales of your choice – one octave. 
• ​One solo work of your choice, between 1 and 2 minutes in length.​​

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CHAMBER WINDS ENSEMBLE. 
Please prepare a single video with the following components:

• Two major scales of your choice – one octave. 
• ​One solo work of your choice, between 1 and 2 minutes in length.

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONCERT ORCHESTRA (Intermediate Orchestra) 
Please prepare a single video with all of the components (scales/arpeggios and solo):

• Scales/arpeggios – please see below for details. 
• One solo work of your choice, between 2 and 4 minutes in length. Select a piece that demonstrates your technical ability as well as your musicality. 
  
  

Violin 

• G Major and D Major Scales – 2 octaves 
• A Major and C Major Arpeggios – 2 octaves ​

Viola 

• C Major and G Major Scales – 2 octaves 
• D Major and F Major Arpeggios – 2 octaves

Cello 

• C Major and G Major Scales – 2 octaves 
• D Major and F Major Arpeggios – 2 octaves

Bass

• G Major and F Major Scales – 1 octave

Winds and Brass

• B-flat Major and E-flat Major Scales – 1 octave (2 octaves, if possible) 
• Chromatic scale (starting note, your choice) – 1 octave 

Percussion 

• Snare Drum – Etude from Goldberg: Modern School for Snare Drum, or comparable etude
• Timpani – Two Drum Etude, from Goodman: Modern Methods for Timpani, or comparable etude
• Mallet Demonstration – on xylophone, marimba, etc.​

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA (Advanced Orchestra) 
Please prepare a single video with all of the components (scales and solo pieces).

• Scales – please see below for details. 
• One or two solo pieces of your choice, between 4 and 7 minutes in total length. Select music that includes contrasting elements – fast and slow, technical and lyrical. 

​Violin 

• G Major and C Major Scales – 3 octaves. Slur four notes per bow. 
• D Melodic Minor Scale – 2 octaves. Slur four notes per bow. 

Viola 

• C Major Scale – 3 octaves. F Major Scale – 2 or 3 octaves. Slur four notes per bow. 
• G Melodic Minor Scale – 2 octaves. Slur four notes per bow. 

Cello 

• C Major Scale – 3 octaves. E-flat Major – 2 or 3 octaves. Slur four notes per bow. 
• F Melodic Minor Scale – 2 octaves. Slur four notes per bow. 

Bass

• E Major and A-flat Major Scales – 2 octaves. Slur two notes per bow. 

Flutes and Clarinets

• Two major scales of your choice – 3 octaves. 
• One melodic minor scale of your choice – 2 octaves. 
• One chromatic scale (starting note, your choice) – 3 octaves. 

Oboes, Bassoons, and All Brass 

• Two major scales of your choice – 2 octaves. 
• One melodic minor scale of your choice – 2 octaves. 
• One chromatic scale (starting note, your choice) – 2 octaves.

Percussion 

• Snare Drum – Etude from Goldberg: Modern School for Snare Drum, or comparable etude
• Timpani – Two Drum Etude, from Goodman: Modern Methods for Timpani, or comparable etude
• Mallet Demonstration – on xylophone, marimba, etc.