Audition Expectations

Previous ensemble experience. Click here for a chart with all of our ensemble expectations and requirements.

Strings

Audition Requirements

Scales

Students should prepare a memorized scale, played ascending and descending, preferably 2 or more notes per bow, at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 120, in the following keys:

• All three-octave major and melodic minor scales

At the audition, you will perform 2 scales:

• • You will first perform your prepared scale in a key of your choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble
  • You will be then asked to perform a scale of the judge’s choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One movement with contrasting sections or two contrasting pieces
• Recommended length: less than 5 minutes
• Perform without accompaniment

Orchestral Excerpts

• Required excerpts will be posted here after April 14, 2026

Sight-Reading

• Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Woodwinds 

Audition Requirements (Woodwinds)

Scales

Students should prepare a memorized scale, played ascending and descending, with even tone and consistent technique and all notes clearly articulated, slurred, at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 120 in the following keys:

• • Chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note
  • All two-octave major scales through 5 sharps and 5 flats
  • Two-octave melodic minor scales through 2 sharps and 2 flats

At the audition, you will perform 2 scales:

• • You will first perform your prepared chromatic scale
  • You will be then asked to perform a scale of the judge’s choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One movement with contrasting sections or two contrasting pieces
• Recommended length: under 5 minutes
• Perform without accompaniment

Orchestral Excerpts

• Required excerpts will be posted here after April 14, 2026

Sight-Reading

• Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Brass

Audition Requirements (Brass)

Scales

Students should prepare a memorized scale, played ascending and descending, with even tone and consistent technique and all notes clearly articulated, slurred, at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 120 in the following keys:

• Chromatic scale from your lowest comfortable note to your highest note
• All two-octave major scales through 4 sharps and 4 flats
• Two-octave melodic minor scales through 2 sharps and 2 flats

At the audition, you will perform 2 scales:

• • You will first perform your prepared chromatic scale
  • You will be then asked to perform a scale of the judge’s choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One movement with contrasting sections or two contrasting pieces
• Recommended length: under 5 minutes
• Perform without accompaniment

Orchestral Excerpts

• Required excerpts will be posted here after April 14, 2026

Sight-Reading

• • Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Percussion

Audition Requirements (Percussion)

Technical Skills

Students should prepare:

• Snare drum single stroke roll
  • Begin slow, gradually accelerate, then slow down again (smooth accelerando and ritardando)
• Snare drum roll (approximately 20 seconds total):
  • Start at ppp for 3 seconds
  • Gradually crescendo to fff
  • Sustain fff for 5 seconds
  • Gradually diminuendo back to ppp
  • Sustain ppp for 3 seconds

Prepared Solo or Étude

• Prepare solo or étude(s) on two or more of the following:
  • Timpani
  • Snare Drum
  • Mallets (bells or xylophone)
• Selection(s) should represent your current skill level

Sight-Reading

• • Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Audition Expectations

Previous ensemble experience. Click here for a chart with all of our ensemble expectations and requirements.

Winds and Brass: ability to transpose sheet music as necessary. See the requirements for each instrument group outlined below.

Strings

Audition Requirements (Strings)

Scales

Students should prepare a memorized scale, played ascending and descending, preferably 2 or more notes per bow, at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 120, in the following keys:

• All three-octave major and melodic minor scales through 5 sharps and 5 flats
  • Basses: two octaves acceptable

At the audition, you will perform 2 scales:

• • You will first perform your prepared scale in a key of your choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble
  • You will be then asked to perform a scale of the judge’s choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble

Prepared Solo

• One movement with contrasting sections or two contrasting pieces
• Recommended length: under  4 minutes
• Perform without accompaniment

Orchestral Excerpts

• Required excerpts will be posted here after April 14, 2026

Sight-Reading

• Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Woodwinds & Brass

Audition Requirements (Woodwinds & Brass)

Scales

Students should prepare a memorized scale, played ascending and descending, with even tone and consistent technique and all notes clearly articulated, slurred, at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 120 in the following keys:

• Chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note
• Two-octave major scales through 4 sharps and 4 flats
• Two-octave melodic minor scales through 2 sharps and 2 flats

At the audition, you will perform 2 scales:

• • You will first perform your prepared chromatic scale
  • You will be then asked to perform a scale of the judge’s choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble

Prepared Solo

• One movement with contrasting sections or two contrasting pieces
• Recommended length: under 4 minutes
• Perform without accompaniment

Orchestral Excerpts

• Required excerpts will be posted here after April 14, 2026

Sight-Reading

• Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Percussion

Audition Requirements (Percussion)

Technical Skills

Students should prepare:

• Snare drum single stroke roll
  • Begin slow, gradually accelerate to fast, then return to slow
  • Perform with smooth, even control throughout
• Snare drum roll (approximately 20 seconds total):
  • Begin at ppp for 3 seconds
  • Gradually crescendo to fff
  • Sustain fff for 5 seconds
  • Gradually diminuendo back to ppp
  • Sustain ppp for 3 seconds

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One solo or étude of your choice
• Perform on two or more of the following:
  • Timpani
  • Snare Drum
  • Mallets (bells or xylophone)
• Selection should represent your current skill level

Orchestral Excerpts

• Required excerpts will be posted here after April 14, 2026

Sight-Reading

• Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Audition Expectations

Previous ensemble experience. Click here for a chart with all of our ensemble expectations and requirements.

Strings

Audition Requirements (Strings)

Scales

Students should prepare a memorized scale, played ascending and descending, with 2 or more notes per bow, at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 120 in the following keys:

• All three-octave major scales through 3 sharps and 3 flats
• The following two-octave melodic minor scales: a, d, e, g, b, c, and f

At the audition, you will perform 2 scales:

• • You will first perform your prepared scale in a key of your choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble
  • You will be then asked to perform a scale of the judge’s choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One movement with contrasting sections or two contrasting pieces
• Recommended length: under 4 minutes
• Perform without accompaniment

Sight-Reading

• • Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Woodwinds 

Audition Requirements (Woodwinds)

Scales

Students should prepare a memorized scale, played ascending and descending, with even tone and consistent technique and all notes clearly articulated, slurred, at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 120 in the following keys:

• Chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note
• All two-octave major scales through 3 sharps and 3 flats

At the audition, you will perform 2 scales:

• • You will first perform your prepared chromatic scale
  • You will be then asked to perform a scale of the judge’s choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One movement with contrasting sections or two contrasting pieces
• Recommended length: under 4 minutes
• Perform without accompaniment

Sight-Reading

• Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Brass

Audition Requirements (Brass)

Scales

Students should prepare a memorized scale, played ascending and descending, with even tone and consistent technique and all notes clearly articulated, slurred, at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 120 in the following keys:

• Chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note
• All two-octave major scales through 3 sharps and 3 flats

At the audition:

• • You will first perform your prepared scale that meets the requirements of the ensemble
  • You will then be asked to perform a scale of the judge’s choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One movement with contrasting sections or two contrasting pieces
• Recommended length: under 4 minutes
• Perform without accompaniment

Sight-Reading

• Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Percussion

Audition Requirements (Percussion)

Technical Skills

Students should prepare:

• Snare drum single stroke
  • Slow to fast to slow
  • Gradual accelerando and ritardando, performed seamlessly
• Snare drum roll (approximately 20 seconds total):
  • Begin at ppp for 3 seconds
  • Gradually crescendo to fff
  • Sustain fff for 5 seconds
  • Gradually diminuendo back to ppp
  • Sustain ppp for 3 seconds

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One solo or étude of your choice
• Perform on two or more of the following instruments:
  • Timpani
  • Snare Drum
  • Mallets (bells or xylophone)
• Selection should represent your current skill level

Sight-Reading

• • Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Audition Expectations

Previous ensemble experience. Click here for a chart with all of our ensemble expectations and requirements.

Strings

Audition Requirements (Strings)

Scale Requirements by Instrument

Students should prepare a memorized scale, played ascending and descending, preferably with 2 or more notes per bow, at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 120.

• Violin:
  • 2-octave: C, G, D, A, F, & B♭ Major
  • 2-octave: A, D, & E melodic minor
• Viola/Cello:
  • 2-octave: C, D, F, & G Major
  • 2-octave: A, E, & D melodic minor
  • 1-octave: A & B♭ Major
• Bass:
  • 2-octave: F & G Major
  • 1-octave: C, D, A, & B♭ Major
  • 1-octave: E, A, & D minor

At the audition, you will perform 2 scales:

• • You will first perform your prepared scale in a key of your choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble
  • You will be then asked to perform a scale of the judge’s choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One movement with contrasting sections or two contrasting pieces
• Recommended length: 2–3 minutes
• Perform without accompaniment

Sight-Reading

• Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Audition Expectations

Previous ensemble experience. Click here for a chart with all of our ensemble expectations and requirements.

Strings

Audition Requirements (Strings)

Scale Requirements by Instrument 

Students should prepare a memorized scale, played ascending and descending, preferably with 2 or more notes per bow, at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 120.

• Violin:
  • 1-octave: F Major
  • 2-octave: C, G, & D Major
  • 1-octave: A melodic minor
• Viola/Cello:
  • 2-octave: C, G, and D Major
  • 1-octave: F Major
  • 1-octave: A melodic minor
• Bass:
  • 1-octave: C, G, D, & F Major

At the audition, you will perform 2 scales:

• • You will first perform your prepared scale in a key of your choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble
  • You will be then asked to perform a scale of the judge’s choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One movement with contrasting sections or two contrasting pieces
• Recommended length: 3–5 minutes
• Perform without accompaniment

Sight-Reading

• Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Audition Expectations

Previous ensemble experience. Click here for a chart with all of our ensemble expectations and requirements.

Woodwinds 

Audition Requirements (Woodwinds)

Scales

Students should prepare a memorized scale, played ascending and descending, with even tone and consistent technique and all notes clearly articulated, slurred, in the following keys:

• Chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note
• All two-octave major scales through 3 sharps and 3 flats

At the audition, you will perform 2 scales:

• • You will first perform your prepared chromatic scale
  • You will be then asked to perform a scale of the judge’s choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One movement with contrasting sections or two contrasting pieces
• Recommended length: 3–5 minutes
• Perform without accompaniment

Sight-Reading

• Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Brass

Audition Requirements (Brass)

Scales

Students should prepare a memorized scale, played ascending and descending, with even tone and consistent technique and all notes clearly articulated, slurred in the following keys:

• Chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note
• All one-octave major scales through 3 sharps and 3 flats

At the audition, you will perform 2 scales:

• • You will first perform your prepared chromatic scale
  • You will be then asked to perform a scale of the judge’s choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One movement with contrasting sections or two contrasting pieces
• Recommended length: 3–5 minutes
• Perform without accompaniment

Sight-Reading

• Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Percussion

Audition Requirements (Percussion)

Technical Skills

Students should prepare:

• Snare drum single stroke roll
  • Slow to fast to slow
  • Gradual accelerando and ritardando, performed seamlessly
• Snare drum roll (approximately 20 seconds total):
  • Begin at ppp for 3 seconds
  • Gradually crescendo to fff
  • Sustain fff for 5 seconds
  • Gradually diminuendo back to ppp
  • Sustain ppp for 3 seconds

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One solo or étude of your choice
• Perform on two or more of the following instruments:
  • Timpani
  • Snare Drum
  • Mallets (bells or xylophone)
• Selection should represent your current skill level

Sight-Reading

• • Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition

Audition Expectations

Musicians must be reading notes. Click here for a chart with all of our ensemble expectations and requirements.

Strings

Audition Requirements (Strings)

Scale Requirements by Instrument (1 or 2 Octaves as Listed)

Students should prepare a memorized scale, played ascending and descending, preferably with 2 or more notes per bow in the following keys:

• Violin:
  • 1-octave: D & C Major
  • 2-octave: G Major
• Viola/Cello:
  • 1-octave: D & G Major
  • 2-octave: C Major
• Bass:
  • 1-octave: D, G, & C Major

At the audition, you will perform 2 scales:

• • You will first perform your prepared scale in a key of your choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble
  • You will be then asked to perform a scale of the judge’s choice that meets the requirements of the ensemble

Prepared Solo or Étude

• One movement with contrasting sections or two contrasting pieces
• Recommended length: 3–5 minutes
• Perform without accompaniment

Sight-Reading

• Sight-reading will be included as part of the audition