Summer 2021 Audition Requirements

Instrumentalists entering grades 4-12 in Fall 2021 are invited to audition for Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra Ensembles:

Symphonic Orchestra
Concert Orchestra
Preparatory String Ensemble
Preparatory Wind Ensemble

Auditions for the 2021-2022 Season are by video submission only.
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​Audition fee: $25

Registration deadline: August 23, 2021 
Video submission deadline: August 30, 8 pm 
Full instructions for recording and uploading videos will be sent after audition registration is complete.
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Questions? Contact Wendy Norris at executivedirector@gpyo.org.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR PREPARATORY STRING ENSEMBLE &
PREPARATORY WIND ENSEMBLE 

• 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 CONCERT ORCHESTRA (Intermediate Orchestra) 

• 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.​

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA (Advanced Orchestra) 

• Scales – please see below for details. 
• One or two solo pieces of your choice, between 3 and 6 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.