Click on your instrument below and select the most advanced level of audition material that you feel comfortable with and can play well. Aim for the suggested metronome markings when indicated, but remember that it is always more important to play accurately, demonstrating good tone and intonation.
All auditioning musicians may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Keep in mind that preparing material for a certain level does not ensure placement at that level. Your placement will be based on your demonstration of these standards at the audition. Your age is NOT a primary consideration.
Please contact us at auditions@byso.org with any questions.
Violin
Cadet String Orchestra – Entry level
Ability to read music in first position and knowledge of basic rhythms.
- D Major scale in one octave and an additional major scale in two octaves.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Debut String Orchestra – Advanced entry level
Generally 2-3 years of orchestra or private instruction. Secure knowledge of first and third position, especially for first violins.
- B flat Major scale in two octaves and one additional major scale in two octaves.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Premiere Orchestra – Intermediate
Secure knowledge of third position and introductory knowledge of fifth position.
- One major and one minor scale, one in two octaves and one in three octaves.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Sinfonia – Advanced intermediate
Secure knowledge of third and fifth positions, introductory knowledge of second position, fourth position, and some higher positions.
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale.
- Required etude: Mazas #4, first four lines (PDF)
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Philharmonia – Advanced technical abilities
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (one playing quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes with quarter note = 92).
- Required etude: NAfME All-NW Strings audition set A tracks 4 and 5.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Youth Symphony – Advanced musicianship
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (one playing quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes with quarter note = 108).
- Required etude: NAfME All-NW Strings Audition set A tracks 3 and 5.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Viola
Cadet String Orchestra – Entry level
Ability to read music in first position and knowledge of basic rhythms.
- F Major scale in one octave and one additional major scale in two octaves.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Debut String Orchestra – Advanced entry level
Generally 2-3 years of orchestra or private instruction. Secure knowledge of first position and introductory knowledge of third position.
- F major scale in two octaves and one additional major scale in two octaves.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Premiere Orchestra – Intermediate
Secure knowledge of third position and introductory knowledge of fifth position.
- One major and one minor scale, one in two octaves and one in three octaves.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Sinfonia – Advanced intermediate
Secure knowledge of third and fifth positions, introductory knowledge of second position, fourth position, and some higher positions.
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale
- Required etude: Mazas #4, first six lines (PDF). Suggested metronome marking: quarter note = 100.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Philharmonia – Advanced technical abilities
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (one playing quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes with quarter note = 92).
- Required etude: NAfME All-NW Strings Audition set A tracks 3 and 5.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Youth Symphony – Advanced musicianship
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (one playing quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes with quarter note = 108).
- Required etude: NAfME All-NW Strings audition set A tracks 3, 4, and 5.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Cello
Cadet String Orchestra – Entry level
Ability to read music in first position and knowledge of basic rhythms.
- F Major scale in one octave and one other major scale in two octaves.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Debut String Orchestra – Advanced entry level
Generally 2-3 years of school or private instruction. Secure knowledge of first position, which includes forward and backward extensions, and introductory knowledge of second through fourth positions.
- F Major scale in two octaves and one additional scale in two octaves.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Premiere Orchestra – Intermediate
Secure knowledge of first through fourth positions, introductory knowledge of higher positions.
- One major and one minor scale, one in three octaves and one in two octaves.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Sinfonia – Advanced intermediate
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale, one scale having three or more sharps or flats.
- Required etude: Kummer #38 (PDF). Suggested metronome marking: eighth note = 80-88.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Philharmonia – Advanced technical abilities
- One three-octave major scale and one three octave minor scale (One slow legato scale playing quarter notes, one fast, playing 16th notes with 8 notes slurred. Suggested metronome marking: quarter note = 72).
- Required etude: Kummer #70 (PDF), play top part. Suggested metronome marking, quarter note=72.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Youth Symphony – Advanced musicianship
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (One slow legato scale playing quarter notes; one fast, playing 16th notes with 8 notes slurred.) Suggested metronome marking, quarter note = 88).
- Required etude: NAfME All-NW Strings audition set A tracks 3, 4 and 5.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Double Bass
Cadet String Orchestra – Entry level
Ability to read music in first position and knowledge of basic rhythms.
- D Major scale in one octave.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Debut String Orchestra – Advanced entry level
Generally one to two years in school orchestra or private instruction.
- D Major scale in one octave.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Premiere Orchestra – Intermediate
Solid knowledge of sharps and flats.
- F Major scale in one octave and one minor scale in one octave.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Sinfonia – Advanced intermediate
Advanced intermediate.
- F Major scale in two octaves and one minor scale in one octave.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Philharmonia – Advanced technical abilities
- One two-octave major scale and one two-octave minor scale; one slow legato playing quarter notes, one fast playing 16th notes. Suggested metronome marking: quarter note = 72.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Youth Symphony – Advanced musicianship
- One major scale in two or more octaves and one minor scale in two or more octaves; one slow legato playing quarter notes, one fast playing 16th notes. Suggested metronome marking: quarter note = 88.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You may be asked to sight-read.
Flute
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least one octave
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Sinfonia / Flute Choir
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72-100 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves – OR you may use WMEA Junior All-State Band audition track 1 (link below).
Etudes: Prepare the “Dance Etude” and “Rhythmic Etude” (tracks 2 and 4) from the WMEA Junior All-State Band audition materials (use link below).
Solo: Prepare a one-minute excerpt from your solo literature that best shows your artistry, technique, and musical skills.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
WMEA Junior All-State band audition tracks 1, 2 and 4 (PDF)
Philharmonia / Flute Orchestra/ Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, using the NAfME All-NW Wind and Percussion audition set A track 1 as a model (use link below).
Etudes: Prepare tracks 2 and 4 from the NAfME All-NW Wind and Percussion audition set A audition materials (link below).
Solo: Prepare a one- to two-minute excerpt from your solo literature that best shows your artistry, technique, and musical skills.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Oboe
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongue
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least one octave
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Sinfonia
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves
Etudes: Prepare tracks 2, 3, and 4 from the WMEA Junior All-State Band audition materials (PDF).
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Philharmonia
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves
Etudes: Prepare tracks 2 and 3 from the NAfME All-NW Wind and Percussion set A materials.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves
Etudes: Prepare tracks 2, 3, and 4 from the NAfME All-NW Wind and Percussion Set A audition materials.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Clarinet & Bass Clarinet
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale in A Major, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least one octave
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Sinfonia
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves
Etudes: Prepare tracks 2, 3, and 4 from the WMEA Junior All-State Band audition materials. Download the Bb clarinet version or the Bass clarinet version.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Philharmonia
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves
Etudes:
Bb clarinet: Rubank Volume 1, Advanced Method, Page 49, half note=72 and and St Saens Sonata, 1st movement Philharmonia Clarinet Etudes
Bass clarinet: Prepare excerpt from Bach Cello Suite No. 1, and Rubank No. 28.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, with 3 or more sharps or flats, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, with 3 or more sharps or flats, in two octaves – slurred
- For a Chromatic scale, prepare NAfME All-NW Winds and Percussion Set A audition track 1.
Etudes:
Bb clarinet: Prepare track 2 from the NAfME All-NE Winds and Percussion Set A audition materials (PDF). Use a slower tempo than indicated, dotted quarter = 72.
Bass clarinet: Prepare tracks 2 and 4 from the WMEA All-State Winds and Percussion Set C audition materials (PDF).
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Bassoon
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least one octave
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Sinfonia
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves
Etudes: Prepare tracks 2, 3, and 4 from the WMEA Junior All-State Band audition materials (PDF).
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Philharmonia
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves
Etudes: Prepare tracks 2, 3, and 4 from the NAfME All-NW Winds and Percussion Set A audition materials.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- For a Chromatic scale, prepare NAfME All-NW Winds and Percussion Set A audition track 1.
Etudes: Prepare tracks 2 and 3 from the NAfME All-NW Winds and Percussion Set A audition materials (link below).
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Horn
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in one octave – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least one octave, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Sinfonia
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Philharmonia
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Trumpet
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in one octave – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least one octave, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Sinfonia
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Philharmonia
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium or Baritone
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in one octave – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least one octave, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Sinfonia
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Philharmonia
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music.
Percussion
Sinfonia & Premiere Orchestra
Prepare the WMEA Junior All-State Band mallet and snare drum audition tracks (PDF). Focus on accuracy before speed.
Youth Symphony, Philharmonia, and Percussion Ensemble
Students who audition into Percussion Ensemble also perform with Philharmonia and Youth Symphony. Percussion Ensemble focuses on their own music in separate rehearsals, then joins these two orchestras for 2-3 rehearsals prior to a performance. The expectation at this level is that each player can comfortably play both snare drum and mallet parts.
Please prepare a 1-2 minute excerpt from a solo snare drum piece as well as a mallet solo. You may refer to the NAfME All-NW audition materials as examples of what level of difficulty is appropriate. The audition will also include scales and sight reading on both snare drum and mallets.
If you have any questions about what to prepare, please email percussionensemble@byso.org.
Harp
Prepare the following:
Scales: All major scales and arpeggios.
Excerpt: “Waltz of the Flowers” cadenza from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
Solo: A short solo work of your choice.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight-read.
