Audition Requirements

All auditions for the 2020-2021 season are by video submission. The deadline for mid-year auditions is February 17.
​
Contact: If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Norris at executivedirector@gpyo.org.

---

• Each musician who auditions for the GPYO is expected to demonstrate the highest musical and technical standards. 
• Students are required to be in their school orchestra/choir/band curriculum program (unless he /she is homeschooled) to participate in GPYO.
• Once accepted, student needs to submit  GPYO’s school participation form signed by the Band/Orchestra/Choir conductor of the school. 

​
Requirements for Students in Grades 8-12
Solo work of your choice that best demonstrates your level of musicianship. Sight reading is not a part of this audition.
Please prepare the following:
For Strings

• Violins: G Major scale 2 octaves or 3 if possible (1 note to a bow and 4 notes to a bow), F Major scale 2 octaves (four notes to a bow), Bb major arpeggio 2 octaves (bowed as you choose).
• Viola and Cello: C Major scale 2 octaves or three if possible (1 note to a bow), F Major scale 2 octaves (four notes to a bow), D major arpeggio 2 octaves (bowed as you choose)
• Bass: E Major scale 2 octaves (1 note to a bow), Eb major scale 1 octave (1 note to a bow), G Major arpeggio two octaves if possible (bowed as you choose)
• Much of the music played by the GPYO Symphonic Orchestra calls for many bowing styles including off-the-string articulation, as well as legato and slurring. When choosing an audition piece it is suggested, but not required, that you choose music demonstrating your ability to perform these bowing styles.

For Winds

• Scales (major scales through four flats and sharps, in as many octaves as possible).
• Any of the specialized instruments such as Piccolo, English Horn, Bass Clarinet, and Contra-Bassoon may also be heard with as many of the above requirements as possible. Winds should be able to show slurring, staccato, and tonguing, as requested. An extra audition slot should be requested.

For Percussion

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

---

Requirements for Students in Grades 4-7

• Solo work of your choice.
• Scales, including arpeggios.
• Strings
  1. Violin: G Major and A Major in 2 octaves or 3 if possible; C Major in 2 octaves; F major arpeggio 2 octaves.
  2. Viola: C Major 2 octaves or 3 octaves if possible, D Major 2 octaves or 3 if possible, A major arpeggio
  3. Cello: Same as viola
  4. Bass: E Major scale 1 octave or 2 if possible, F Major 1 octave or 2 if possible, Bb major arpeggio 1 octave or 2 if possible
• Winds: Scales: Bb major scale 1 octave or 2 if possible, F Major scale 1 octave or 2 if possible
• Percussion
  1. ​Sight reading is not a part of the preparatory winds audition.
  2. Snare solo of your choice that best demonstrates your ability level.
  3. Mallet percussion piece that best demonstrates your ability level.