Auditions for the 2022-2023 school year will take place on Monday, August 29 from 4:00-7:00pm. 

SCHEDULE AN AUDITION

WHO NEEDS TO AUDITION?

ORCHESTRAS
Auditions are required for all youth orchestra ensembles. Students are placed according to their musical level and advance as their skills improve. There is a modest non-refundable $12 fee to audition.

CONCERT BAND
At this time, auditions are not required to register Concert Band.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A PLACEMENT AUDITION?

All students are asked to do the following:

  1. Play a prepared solo of their choice that demonstrates technique and can be performed confidently. Memorization and accompanist not required.
  2. Sight-read an assigned selection. The student will be given one minute to review.
  3. Play scales are indicated in the requirements below.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

SINFONIA
Students should be comfortable playing in the major keys of G, C and D. Students may be asked to sight read, but if they are not yet comfortable sight reading please be sure to make that clear to the conductors and keep practicing!
Violin Scales – D Scale (1 octave), C Scale (1 octave), and G Scale (2 octaves if possible)
Viola and Cello Scales – D Scale (1 octave), G Scale (1 octave), and C Scale (2 octaves if possible)
Bass Scales – D Scale (1 octave), G Scale (1 octave) and C Scale (1 octave)

CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Students should be comfortable playing in the major keys of G, C, D, A, F and Bb.
Violin Scales – C, G, D, A and Bb Scales (all 2 octaves) and F Scale (1 octave)
Viola and Cello Scales – C, G, D and F Scales (all 2 octaves)
Bass Scales – D Scale (1 octave), G Scale (2 octaves), C Scale (1 octave) and F Scale (2 octaves)

PHILHARMONIC
Students may be asked to play C, G, D, A, F, B-flat and E-flat major scales.
String players should play 2 or 3 octaves (preferred) scales in the keys above.
Wind players may play 1 or 2 (preferred) scales in the keys above and a chromatic scale.
Bowings and articulations for the scales are at the discretion of the player.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU AUDITION

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Membership in a School of Music ensemble requires that students are involved in their school orchestra or band and must provide the name and contact information for their school orchestra or band director at the time of registration. Exceptions to this will be made ONLY if there is no existing orchestra or band program at the school or if there is a direct conflict in scheduling between a required academic course and the school music program. 

FINANCIAL AID
Limited financial aid is available to students who demonstrate a financial need. Click here for more information on how to apply. 

ENSEMBLE DROP + REFUND POLICY
Students dropping the program after the 2nd week of rehearsals or before the mid-semester deadline (Fall: November 14; Spring: March 14) will receive a 50% refund for that semester if full tuition has been paid. Students dropping after mid-semester will not receive a refund. An email referencing the drop must be received by the deadline or the full tuition will be due. 

Education