AUDITION DETAILS FOR STRING ORCHESTRA

AUDITION PREPARATION

• Read the audition requirements carefully.

• Consult with your teacher which level of the orchestral program would be best suited to your current abilities.

• Ask your teacher to sign the application.

PRACTICE TIPS

• Practice with a metronome for accurate rhythms.

• Scales: Listen for pitch, solid tone and steady tempo.

• Solo: Choose a piece which best represent your level.

• Sight reading: Work with your teacher on sight reading skills.

DAY OF THE AUDITION

• Make sure your instrument is in best working condition.

• Dress nicely!

• Arrive 20 minutes before the audition so you have time to park, check in at the front desk and warm up.

DURING THE AUDITION

• Relax and take a deep breath.

• Scale: Maintain a beautiful tone and an even tempo throughout.

• Solo: Exaggerate the dynamics and play from your heart.

• Sight Reading: Take time to look at the sight reading excerpts before you begin to play. Be aware of the time and key signature, sing the notes and the tempo in your head before playing. If you make a mistake, keep going!

• Know that it’s normal to be stopped before you complete the piece

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Short solo selection, scale and sight reading (provided at audition). Developed knowledge of staccato, spiccato, legato, slurred bowing and bow distribution.

• Violin I: Two-octave D major scale shifting to 3rd position, and two-octave C major scale in 1st position.

• Violin II: Two-octave C major scale in 1st position.

• Viola: Two-octave D major scale in 1st position.

• Cello: Two-octave C major scale in 1st position.

• Double Bass: One-octave D major scale.