AUDITION DETAILS FOR YOUTH 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:

All Instruments: Three-minute prepared solo, scales (details below) and sight reading (provided at audition).

Strings

  • Violin I - Three-octave A major and B flat major scales, arpeggios I and IV.

  • Violin II - Three-octave G major scale, arpeggios I and IV.

  • Viola - Three-octave C major scale, arpeggios I and IV.

  • Cello - Two-octave D major scale in 1st position using extensions. Two-octave G major scale, shifting to 4th position.

  • Double Bass – Two-octave G major scale.

Brass and Woodwinds

  • Flute - Two-octave B major scale.

  • Oboe - Two-octave D major scale.

  • Clarinet - Two-octave F major scale.

  • Bassoon - Two-octave B flat major scale.

  • French Horn - Two-octave B flat major scale.

  • Trumpet – Two-octave G major scale.

  • Trombone – Two-octave B flat major scale.

  • Tuba - Two-octave F major scale.

Timpani and Percussion

  • Timpani solo and tuning demonstration; snare rudiments, melodic percussion selection.

Harp

  • A solo selection and pedaling etude.