Sign up to Audition

Summer Audition Dates:
Sign up to audition by August 18, 2023.
Audition video due by Aug 25, 2023.

Audition Instructions

1.) Sign-up for an audition by clicking on the link above. The registration for August auditions is open between until August 18. A $25 audition fee is due at the time of registration.

2.) Prepare for the audition. Refer to the requirements appropriate to your instrument and ensemble preference found on our Audition Requirements page. Be sure to prepare all audition requirements.

3.) Submit your audition video by August 25, 2023. Instructions for uploading will be sent to you upon registration. For important technical guidelines for making your video, please see below.

Membership in GPYO is open to instrumentalists entering grades 4 - 12. By viewing and listening to scales, arpeggios, exercises and solo pieces, our artistic staff will evaluate each musician's readiness to join our ensembles.

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

Technical Guidelines for Video Recordings

1. Deadline: Friday, August 25, 2023 at midnight.

2. All musicians are required to record several components, based on the requirements posted on the GPYO Audition Requirements page of our website.

3. No Accompaniment. Even if your audition piece calls for accompaniment, please play without it.

4. Single Take
All components of the video (scales/arpeggios/solo) must be done in ONE continuous take. Do not stop and start the camera between components.
All components must be performed in the following order:
a. Scales (if applicable)
b. Arpeggios (if applicable)
c. Method exercise (if applicable)
d. Solo piece(s)

5. Tuning:
Please tune your instrument to A=440.

6. Picture Stability
Please do not pan, zoom, fade in/out or use multiple cameras. Consider using a tripod, a second music stand, or another stable surface to aid in recording.

7. Video Framing
Place the video recording device so that you, your instrument, and your full range of motion are in the frame at all times.

8. Video Orientation
Position the phone in landscape (horizontal) orientation.

9. Video Length
Video must not exceed 8 minutes. Judges will stop watching at 8 minutes. Make sure all the components of your audition fit within 8 minutes. It is okay if your video is less than 8 minutes.

10. Video Editing:
Please do not edit, cut, splice or otherwise alter your performance, except to remove non-audition related movement at the beginning and end of your audition (e.g. to stop and start the recording).

11. Upload your video as an “Unlisted” YouTube Video.

12. Send us the link to your audition video using our automated form. This will be sent to you upon registration.

13. Please also read additional Technical Guidelines for preparing and uploading your video.

Questions? Email Operations Manager.

Audition Requirements

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.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CAMERATA STRING ENSEMBLE
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

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.

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.

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.