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 and melodic minor scales.
• 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):
  • Click here for excerpts by instrument
• 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 5 sharps and 5 flats and 2-octave melodic minor scales through 2 sharps and 2 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:
  • Click here for excerpts by instrument
• 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:
  • Click here for excerpts by instrument
• 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
  • Click here for excerpts by instrument
• 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 2 Octave 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)
  • Click here for excerpts by instrument
• 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 4 sharps and 4 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)
  • Click here for excerpts by instrument
• 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)
  • Click here for excerpts by instrument
• Sight-reading

Audition Expectations

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

Strings

• Two to 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 two to 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 minor: 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 1 Octave G or D major scale and 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