Auditions

Audition Expectations

Previous ensemble experience. See the requirements for each instrument group outlined below.

Strings

• Three-octave scale in key of your choice, memorized,  ascending and descending, played at a minimum tempo of one quarter note per pitch at 120 bpm, preferably with 2 or more notes per bow. (Basses, three octaves preferred).
• On the day of the audition, you will be asked to perform an additional three-octave scale, memorized, ascending and descending, of the judge’s choice. Students should be able to play all 3-octave major scales through four sharps and four flats and the following 2 octave melodic minor scales: a, d, e, g, b, c, and f.
• Prepared solo or étude: choose contrasting sections from a movement of the standard repertoire or two sections from contrasting pieces: recommended solo length: 5 minutes. Without accompaniment. 
• Prepared excerpt(s) below:
  • To be posted Friday, April 28, 2023
• Sight-reading

Woodwinds 

• Chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note, ascending and descending, slurred, all notes even
• On the day of the audition, you will be asked to perform an additional 2 octave scale, memorized, ascending and descending, all notes completely articulated. Students should be able to play all 2-octave major scales through four sharps and four flats and 2-octave melodic minor scales through two sharps and two flats. 
• Prepared solo or étude: choose contrasting sections from a movement of the standard repertoire or two sections from contrasting pieces.  Recommended solo length: 5 minutes. Without accompaniment. 
• Prepared excerpt(s) below:
  • To be posted Friday, April 28, 2023
• Sight-reading

Brass

• Chromatic scale from your lowest comfortable note to highest note, ascending and descending
• On the day of the audition, you will be asked to perform an additional 2 octave scale, memorized, ascending and descending. Students should be able to play all 2-octave major scales through four sharps and four flats and 2-octave melodic minor scales through two sharps and two flats. 
• Prepared solo or étude: choose contrasting sections from a movement of the standard repertoire or two sections from contrasting pieces. Recommended solo length: 5 minutes. Without accompaniment. 
• Prepared excerpt(s) below:
  • To be posted Friday, April 28, 2023
• Sight-reading

Percussion

• Snare drum single stroke. (slow to fast to slow, gradual accelerando and ritardando, seamlessly)
• Snare drum roll approximately for 20 seconds, (ppp for 3 sec, then gradual crescendo, keep fff for 5 sec, then gradual diminuendo to ppp, keep the ppp for 3 sec.)
• Prepared solo or étude of your choice on two or more of the following instruments to represent your skill level: Timpani, Snare Drum, Mallets (Bells or Xylophone).
• Prepared excerpt(s) below
  • To be posted Friday, April 28, 2023
• Sight-reading

Audition Expectations

Previous ensemble experience.

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

Strings

• Three-octave scale in key of your choice, memorized, ascending and descending, played at the tempo of one quarter note per pitch at 120 bpm with 2 notes per bow. (Basses 2 octaves acceptable).
• On the day of the audition, you will be asked to perform an additional three-octave scale, memorized, ascending and descending, of the judge’s choice. Students should be able to play all 3-octave major and melodic minor scales through five sharps and five flats.
• Prepared solo: choose contrasting sections from a movement of standard repertoire or two sections from contrasting pieces: recommended solo length: 4 minutes. Without accompaniment.
• Prepared excerpt(s)
  • To be posted Friday, April 28, 2023
• Sight-reading

Woodwinds & Brass

• Chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note, ascending and descending, slurred, all notes even
• On the day of the audition, you will be asked to perform an additional 2 octave scale, memorized, ascending and descending, all notes completely articulated. Students should be able to play all 2-octave major and melodic minor scales through five sharps and five flats and 2-octave melodic minor scales.
• Prepared solo: choose contrasting sections from a movement of standard repertoire or two sections from contrasting pieces. Recommended solo length: 4 minutes. Without accompaniment.
• Prepared excerpt(s)
  • To be posted Friday, April 28, 2023
• Sight-reading

Percussion

• Snare drum single stroke. (slow to fast to slow, gradual accelerando and ritardando, seamlessly)
• Snare drum roll approximately for 20 seconds, (ppp for 3 sec, then gradual crescendo, keep fff for 5 sec, then gradual diminuendo to ppp, keep the ppp for 3 sec.)
• Prepared solo or étude of your choice on two or more of the following instruments to represent your skill level: Timpani, Snare Drum, Mallets (Bells or Xylophone).
• Prepared excerpt(s)
  • To be posted Friday, April 28, 2023
• Sight-reading

Audition Expectations

Previous ensemble experience. See the requirements for each instrument group outlined below.

Strings

• Three-octave scale in key of your choice, memorized,  ascending and descending, played at a minimum tempo of one quarter note per pitch at 120 bpm, preferably with 2 or more notes per bow. 
• On the day of the audition, you will be asked to perform an additional three-octave scale, memorized, ascending and descending, of the judge’s choice. Students should be able to play all 3-octave major scales through three sharps and three flats and the following 1 octave melodic minor scales: a, d, e, g, b, c, and f.
• Prepared solo or étude: choose contrasting sections from a movement of the standard repertoire or two sections from contrasting pieces: recommended solo length: 5 minutes. Without accompaniment. 
• Sight-reading

Woodwinds 

• Chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note, ascending and descending, slurred, all notes even
• On the day of the audition, you will be asked to perform an additional 2 octave scale, memorized, ascending and descending, all notes completely articulated. Students should be able to play all 2-octave major scales through three sharps and three flats.
• Prepared solo or étude: choose contrasting sections from a movement of the standard repertoire or two sections from contrasting pieces. Recommended solo length: 5 minutes. Without accompaniment. 
• Sight-reading

Brass

• Chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note, ascending and descending, slurred, all notes even
• On the day of the audition, you will be asked to perform an additional 2 octave scale, memorized, ascending and descending, all notes completely articulated. Students should be able to play all 2-octave major scales through three sharps and three flats.
• Prepared solo or étude: choose contrasting sections from a movement of the standard repertoire or two sections from contrasting pieces. Recommended solo length: 5 minutes. Without accompaniment. 
• Sight-reading

Percussion

• Snare drum single stroke. (slow to fast to slow, gradual accelerando and ritardando, seamlessly)
• Snare drum roll approximately for 20 seconds, (ppp for 3 sec, then gradual crescendo, keep fff for 5 sec, then gradual diminuendo to ppp, keep the ppp for 3 sec.)
• Prepared solo or étude of your choice on two or more of the following instruments to represent your skill level: Timpani, Snare Drum, Mallets (Bells or Xylophone).
• Sight-reading

Audition Expectations

Previous ensemble experience. See the requirements for each instrument group outlined below.

Strings

• 2 octave (or more) scale in key of your choice, memorized,  ascending and descending, played at a tempo of one quarter note per pitch at 120 bpm, with 2 notes per bow. 
• On the day of the audition, you will be asked to perform an additional two-octave scale, memorized, ascending and descending, of the judge’s choice. Students should be able to play the following:
  • Violin:
    • 2-octave major: C,G,D,A, B♭
    • 2-octave melodic minor: a,d
    • 1-octave major: F
    • 1-octave minor: e
  • Viola/Cello:
    • 2-octave major: C, D, F, G
    • 2-octave melodic minor: e,d
    • 1-octave major: A, B♭
    • 1-octave: a
  • Bass:
    • 2-octave major: F, G
    • 1-octave: C, D, A, B♭
    • 1-octave minor: e, a, d
• Prepared solo or étude: choose contrasting sections from a movement of the standard repertoire or two sections from contrasting pieces. Recommended solo length: 3-5 minutes. Without accompaniment. 
• Sight-reading

Audition Expectations

Previous ensemble experience. See the requirements for each instrument group outlined below.

Woodwinds 

• Chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note, ascending and descending, slurred, all notes even
• On the day of the audition, you will be asked to perform an additional major scale, memorized, ascending and descending, all notes completely articulated. Students should be able to play all 2-octave major scales through three sharps and three flats.
• Prepared solo or étude: choose contrasting sections from a movement of the standard repertoire or two sections from contrasting pieces. Recommended solo length: 3-5 minutes. Without accompaniment.
• Sight-reading

Brass

• Chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note, ascending and descending, slurred, all notes even
• On the day of the audition, you will be asked to perform an additional major scale, memorized, ascending and descending, all notes completely articulated. Students should be able to play all 1-octave major scales through three sharps and three flats.
• Prepared solo or étude: choose contrasting sections from a movement of the standard repertoire or two sections from contrasting pieces. Recommended solo length: 3-5 minutes. Without accompaniment. 
• Sight-reading

Percussion

• Snare drum single stroke. (slow to fast to slow, gradual accelerando and ritardando, seamlessly)
• Snare drum roll approximately for 20 seconds, (ppp for 3 sec, then gradual crescendo, keep fff for 5 sec, then gradual diminuendo to ppp, keep the ppp for 3 sec.)
• Prepared solo or étude of your choice on two or more of the following instruments to represent your skill level: Timpani, Snare Drum, Mallets (Bells or Xylophone).
• Sight-reading

Audition Expectations

Musicians must be reading notes.

Strings

• 1 octave scale in key of your choice, memorized,  ascending and descending, preferably with 2 or more notes per bow. 
• On the day of the audition, you will be asked to perform an additional scale, memorized, ascending and descending, of the judge’s choice. Violins should be 2 Octave prepare a D or G major scale and viola/cello should prepare a 2 Octave C major scale. 
• Prepared solo or étude: choose contrasting sections from a movement of the standard repertoire or two sections from contrasting pieces. Recommended solo length: 3-5 minutes. Without accompaniment.
• Sight-reading