Ensemble Levels

Cadet String Orchestra – Entry level

Ability to read music in first position and knowledge of basic rhythms.

1. One octave D Major scale in one octave in half notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo, bow control, and resonant tone.
2. One 2-octave major scale of choice in quarter notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo and correct finger patterns.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality. Auditionees should select a solo piece that demonstrates the following skills and concepts: (1) basic technique including left hand and right hand shape; (2) ability to perform accurate notes and rhythms in a reasonable tempo (moderato – allegro), and produce a resonant tone.
4. You will 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.

1. B flat Major scale in two octaves and one additional major scale in two octaves, ascending and descending.
   1. B flat Major scale in quarter notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
   2. One additional scale in eighth notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
2. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
3. You will be asked to sight read.

Premiere Orchestra – Intermediate

Secure knowledge of third position and introductory knowledge of fifth position.

1. One major and one minor scale, one in two octaves and one in three octaves, ascending and descending. Both scales in quarter notes at quarter note = 104 bpm
2. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
3. You will 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.

1. One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (one playing separate quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes 8 per bow with quarter note = 80). Play scales ascending and descending.
2. Required etude: Mazas #4, first four lines with quarter note = 100.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
4. You will be asked to sight read.

Philharmonia – Advanced technical abilities

1. 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). Play scales ascending and descending.
2. Required etude: Track 3 (measures 101-end) and Track 4 (letter A to B, which is measures 9 to downbeat of measure 33) from NAfME 2023 String Audition Materials.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality
4. You will be asked to sight read.

Youth Symphony – Advanced musicianship

1. One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (one playing quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16^th notes with quarter note = 108). Play scales ascending and descending.
2. Required etude: Track 3 and Track 4 from NAfME 2023 String Audition Materials.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
4. You will be asked to sight read.

Cadet String Orchestra – Entry level

Ability to read music in first position and knowledge of basic rhythms.

1. One octave F Major scale in one octave in half notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo, bow control, and resonant tone.
2. One 2-octave major scale of choice in quarter notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo and correct finger patterns.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality. Auditionees should select a solo piece that demonstrates the following skills and concepts: (1) basic technique including left hand and right hand shape; (2) ability to perform accurate notes and rhythms in a reasonable tempo (moderato – allegro), and produce a resonant tone.
4. You will 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.

1. F Major scale in two octaves and one additional major scale in two octaves, ascending and descending.
   1. F Major scale in quarter notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
   2. One additional scale in eighth notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
2. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
3. You will be asked to sight read.

Premiere Orchestra – Intermediate

Secure knowledge of third position and introductory knowledge of fifth position.

1. One major and one minor scale, one in two octaves and one in three octaves, ascending and descending.
2. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
3. You will 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.

1. One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (one playing separate quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes 8 per bow with quarter note = 80). Play scales ascending and descending.
2. Required etude: Mazas #4, first six lines with quarter note = 100.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
4. You will be asked to sight read.

Philharmonia – Advanced technical abilities

1. 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). Play scales ascending and descending.
2. Required etude: Track 3 from NAfME 2023 String Audition Materials.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
4. You will be asked to sight read.

Youth Symphony – Advanced musicianship

1. 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). Play scales ascending and descending.
2. Required etude: Tracks 4  from NAfME 2023 String Audition Materials.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
4. You will be asked to sight read.

Cadet String Orchestra – Entry level

Ability to read music in first position and knowledge of basic rhythms.

1. One octave F Major scale in one octave in half notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo, bow control, and resonant tone.
2. One 2-octave major scale of choice in quarter notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo and correct finger patterns.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality. Auditionees should select a solo piece that demonstrates the following skills and concepts: (1) basic technique including left hand and right hand shape; (2) ability to perform accurate notes and rhythms in a reasonable tempo (moderato – allegro), and produce a resonant tone.
4. You will 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.

1. F Major scale in two octaves and one additional scale in two octaves, ascending and descending.
   1. F Major scale in quarter notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
   2. One additional scale in eighth notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
2. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
3. You will be asked to sight read.

Premiere Orchestra – Intermediate

Secure knowledge of first through fourth positions, introductory knowledge of higher positions.

1. One major and one minor scale, one in three octaves and one in two octaves, ascending and descending.
2. Required etude: bars 33-47, as indicated by the red brackets, of this Allegro
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
4. You will be asked to sight read.

Sinfonia – Advanced intermediate

1. One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale, one scale having three or more sharps or flats, (one playing separate quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes 8 per bow with quarter note = 80). Play scales ascending and descending.
2. Required etude: Kummer #38, play top part. Suggested metronome marking: eighth note = 80-88.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
4. You will be asked to sight read.

Philharmonia – Advanced technical abilities

1. 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). Play scales ascending and descending.
2. Required etude: Kummer #70, play top part.  Suggested metronome marking, quarter note=72.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
4. You will be asked to sight read.

Youth Symphony – Advanced musicianship

1. 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). Play scales ascending and descending.
2. Required etude: Tracks 3 and 4 from WMEA 2023 String Audition Materials.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
4. You will be asked to sight read.

Cadet String Orchestra – Entry level

Ability to read music in first position and knowledge of basic rhythms.

1. One octave D Major scale in one octave in half notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo, bow control, and resonant tone.
2. One 2-octave major scale of choice in quarter notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo and correct finger patterns.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality. Auditionees should select a solo piece that demonstrates the following skills and concepts: (1) basic technique including left hand and right hand shape; (2) ability to perform accurate notes and rhythms in a reasonable tempo (moderato – allegro), and produce a resonant tone.
4. You will be asked to sight read.

Debut String Orchestra – Advanced entry level

Generally one to two years in school orchestra or private instruction.

1. D Major scale in one octave, ascending and descending.
   1. D Major scale in quarter notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
   2. One additional scale in eighth notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
2. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
3. You will be asked to sight read.

Premiere Orchestra – Intermediate

Solid knowledge of sharps and flats.

1. F Major scale in one octave and one minor scale in one octave, ascending and descending.
2. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
3. You will be asked to sight read.

Sinfonia – Advanced intermediate

Advanced intermediate.

1. F Major scale in two octaves and one minor scale in one octave, ascending and descending. (one playing separate quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 8th notes 4 per bow with quarter note = 80)
2. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
3. You will be asked to sight read.

Philharmonia – Advanced technical abilities

1. 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. Play scales ascending and descending.
2. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
3. You will be asked to sight read.

Youth Symphony – Advanced musicianship

1. 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. Play scales ascending and descending.
2. Etude: Tracks 3 and 4 from WMEA 2023 String Audition Materials.
3. Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
4. You will be asked to sight read.

Premiere Orchestra

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 – 110 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
3. A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, preferably 3 octaves (or at least from the lowest D on the flute through the 3rd octave Bb)

Etudes: Prepare the “Dance Etude”, “Song Etude” and “Rhythmic Etude” (tracks 2, 3, and 4) from the WMEA Junior All-State Band 2023 Audition Materials.

Solo: Prepare a one-minute excerpt from your solo literature that best shows your artistry, technique, and musical skills.  Repertoire might include Sonatas by Handel or Telemann, or be selected from the National Flute Association’s Intermediate Solo Repertoire Guide.

Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.

Sinfonia / Flute Choir

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 90-120 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
3. A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, preferably 3 octaves (or at least from the lowest D on the flute through the 3rd octave Bb)

Etudes: Prepare the “Dance Etude”, “Song Etude” and “Rhythmic Etude” (tracks 2, 3, and 4) from the WMEA Junior All-State Band 2023 Audition Materials.

Solo: Prepare a one-minute excerpt from your solo literature that best shows your artistry, technique, and musical skills.  Repertoire might include Sonatas by Handel or Telemann, or be selected from the National Flute Association’s Intermediate Solo Repertoire Guide.

Sight-Reading:You will be asked to sight read.

Philharmonia / Flute Orchestra/ Youth Symphony

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72-80 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
3. A Chromatic scale using WMEA HS Wind and Percussion audition track 1 as a model (use link below).

Etudes: Tracks 2, 3, and 4 from WMEA 2023 Audition Materials.

Solo: Prepare a one- to two-minute excerpt from your solo literature that best shows your artistry, technique, and musical skills. Repertoire may be selected from the standards of the French Conservatory; the National Flute Association Repertoire guide system: Levels G – J, (found on NFA website in the member’s only section or  www.leonardgarrison.com/applied-repertoire); or the RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music) Level 7 (or higher); or ABRSM Grade 6 (or higher).

Sight-Reading:You will be asked to sight read.

Premiere Orchestra

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongue
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred
3. 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 will be asked to sight read.

Sinfonia

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
3. 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 2023 Audition Materials.

Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.

Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.

Philharmonia

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
3. A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves

Etudes:  Prepare Tracks 2, 3, and 4 from WMEA 2023 Audition Materials.

Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.

Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.

Youth Symphony

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:

Etudes: Tracks 2, 3, and 4 from WMEA 2023 Audition Materials.

Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.

Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.

Premiere Orchestra

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale in A Major, in two octaves – tongued
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred
3. 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 will be asked to sight read.

Sinfonia

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
3. 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 2023 Audition Materials

Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.

Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.

Philharmonia

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
3. A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves.

Etudes:

Bb clarinet: Prepare tracks 2 (dotted quarter note = 72) and 3 from WMEA  2023 Audition Materials

Bass clarinet: Prepare tracks 2 and 3 from WMEA 2023 Audition Materials.

Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.

Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.

Youth Symphony

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, with 3 or more sharps or flats, in two octaves – tongued
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, with 3 or more sharps or flats, in two octaves – slurred
3. For a Chromatic scale, prepare WMEA 2023 Audition Materials audition track 1.

Etudes:

Bb clarinet: Prepare tracks 2 (dotted quarter note = 72), 3, and 4 from WMEA 2023 Audition Materials.

Bass clarinet: Prepare tracks 2, 3, and 4 from WMEA 2023 Audition Materials.

Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.

Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.

Premiere Orchestra

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred
3. 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 will be asked to sight read.

Sinfonia

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
3. 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 2023 Audition Materials.

Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.

Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.

Philharmonia

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
3. For a Chromatic scale, prepare WMEA 2023 Audition Materials audition track 1

Excerpts: 

• Mozart, Marriage of Figaro Overture; mm. 139-171; half-note equals 126

Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.

Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.

Youth Symphony

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
3. For a Chromatic scale, prepare WMEA 2023 Audition Materials audition track 1.

Excerpts: 

• Ravel, Bolero; 3rd measure after rehearsal 2 through the downbeat of 1st measure of rehearsal 3l quarter-note equals 72
• Tchaikovsky, Symphony #6; mvt 1, mm. 1-12; quarter-note equals 54

Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.

Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.

Premiere Orchestra

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in one octave – tongued.
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred.
3. 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 will be asked to sight read.

Sinfonia

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
3. 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.

Philharmonia

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
3. 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.

Youth Symphony

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
3. 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.

Premiere Orchestra

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in one octave – tongued.
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred.
3. 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 will be asked to sight read.

Sinfonia

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
3. 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.

Philharmonia

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
3. 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.

Youth Symphony

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
3. 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.

Premiere Orchestra

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in one octave – tongued.
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred.
3. 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 will be asked to sight read.

Sinfonia

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
3. 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.

Philharmonia

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
3. 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.

Youth Symphony

Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:

1. One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
2. One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
3. 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.

Sinfonia & Premiere Orchestra

Prepare the 2023 WMEA Junior All-State Band mallet and snare drum audition tracks. 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 WMEA 2023 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. Ambidextrous playing is required.

If you have any questions about what to prepare, please email percussionensemble@byso.org.

Piano auditions will be accepted for Sinfonia, Philharmonia and Youth levels only. Four+ years of private instruction are recommended.

Sinfonia

Philharmonia

Youth Symphony

Prepare the following:

Scales: One major and one minor scale of your choice in two octaves, ascending and descending

Excerpt: “Waltz of the Flowers” cadenza from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

Solo: A short solo work of your choice.

Sight-Reading: No sight reading for Winter 2022.