Orchestra and Wind Ensemble
Seating Audition Requirements
Sign-up for a seating audition
Please note: Large ensemble seating auditions are for students who are returning to an ensemble from last year and for students who auditioned and were placed in an ensemble this past May.
Youth Philharmonic Orchestra
Seating audition requirements: YPO students should prepare one solo work or movement of their choice. Additionally, students should prepare the required excerpts for their instrument which can be found here.
Youth Symphony
Seating audition requirements: YS students should prepare two contrasting solo pieces OR two contrasting movements from the same work. One piece/movement should be fast and technical; the other, slow and lyrical. Additionally, students should prepare the posted orchestral excerpts which may be found here.
Youth Repertory Orchestra
Seating audition requirements: YRO students should prepare one solo work. Additionally, students should prepare the required excerpt for their instrument which can be found here.
Junior Repertory Orchestra
Seating audition requirements: JRO students should prepare one solo work demonstrating their technical and musical ability. Additionally, string players should prepare the required excerpts which can be found here. Wind and brass players are not required to prepare excerpts.
String Repertory Orchestra
Seating audition requirements: SRO students should prepare two contrasting solo works or two contrasting movements from the same work and one 3-octave scale. This usually means a fast, technical piece and a slower, more lyrical piece.
Preparatory String Orchestra 8:30 & 10:30
Seating audition requirements: PSO students should prepare two contrasting solo works or two contrasting movements from the same work and one 3-octave scale. This usually means a fast, technical piece and a slower, more lyrical piece. Students will also be asked to sight-read.
String Training Orchestra
Seating audition requirements: STO students should prepare two short contrasting pieces or two contrasting movements from the same work, and one scale. This usually means a fast, technical piece and a slower, more lyrical piece. Students may also be asked to sight-read.
Baroque Ensembles
Seating audition requirements: Students should prepare two contrasting solo works or two contrasting movements from the same work. This usually means a fast, technical piece and a slower, more lyrical piece. Students may also be asked to sight-read.
Jr. MYWE
Seating audition requirements: Jr. MYWE students should prepare 2 scales of their choice. Additionally, students should prepare their instrument’s part from Shostakovich’s ‘Festive Overture’ as arranged by D. Hunsberger which may be found here. The students should prepare the entire part as the panel will choose which section they would like to hear at the audition.
Jr. MYWE percussionists should prepare one solo work or excerpted selection of their choice displaying their technical and musical ability. Students may present the same repertoire as in their May audition.
Entrance Audition Requirements
Entrance auditions are available for students who missed the Spring (May) Large Ensemble auditions on a space-availability basis only. To learn more about fall entrance audition opportunities, please contact the Preparatory School Office. Students interested in this type of audition must prepare the same entrance audition requirements as for the spring (May) large ensemble auditions.
Choruses
Youth Chorale and Young Women’s Chorale
New Students: Students should prepare two pieces–one in English and one in a foreign language. Please bring a piano part for the accompanist who will be available during the audition. The remainder of the audition will assess the student's musicianship skills, including a short sight-reading example.
Returning Students hoping to advance to a higher level group: (YWC students wishing to move up to YC, or YC students looking to be considered for Camerata.) Students should prepare two pieces–one in English and one in a foreign language. Please bring a piano part for the accompanist who will be available during the audition. The remainder of the audition will assess the student's musicianship skills, including a short sight-reading example.
Returning Students planning to remain in the same group: Do not need to take a fall audition.
Children’s Choruses
New students: Students should be prepared to sing two songs of their choice without accompaniment.
Returning Students planning to remain in the same group: Do not need to take a fall audition.
CI A Cappella
Ages 13-18 as of September 2018
Only new students are required to audition. Returning students will receive invitations to return in June and can confirm their positions at that time.
Requirements: Prepare 2 pieces of your choice. There will be sight-reading at the audition.