For students up to 23 years of age who are studying privately and have had previous orchestral experience.  Members who have participated for three consecutive semesters, may notify the Music Education Department of their intent to return and audition for a seating assignment only.

Students should be prepared to play:

• An unaccompanied solo (does not have to be memorized)
• All major and minor scales in all keys
• Demonstrations of dynamic range of pp to ff in any position or register
• Assigned orchestral excerpt available from the Music Education Department (call first to determine availability) for practice prior to the audition (The ability to play the excerpt greatly influences seating assignment.)

Students will be evaluated for:

Strings

• Proficiency in all positions
• Advanced bowing technique
• Solid, clear tone with continuous vibrato
  Violas: ability to read treble clef
  Cellos: ability to read tenor and treble clef

Woodwinds

• Clarinet: basic knowledge of A and C transpositions
• Bassoon: ability to read tenor clef
• Flute: ability to double-tongue

Brass

• Ownership of or access to all mutes
• Ability to double tongue
• Horn: basic knowledge of transpositions E-flat, G, C, D and E
• Trumpet: basic knowledge of transpositions C, F, D and A
• Trombone: ability to read tenor clef, familiarity with alto clef

Percussion
Plan to bring your own sticks and snare drum to the audition and use them for the solo, etc.
Proper knowledge and technique on all pitched and non-pitched instruments.

Audition Results and Placement

Students will be notified of the audition results as soon as possible following the auditions.  Students successfully completing an audition are offered membership in one or more of the groups.  Upon payment of tuition, materials fees and completion of required forms, the student’s place in the group becomes permanent for the current season. 

If openings occur during the season in any group, auditions for the openings will be held at the discretion of the conductor/Director.  Current member of the orchestras have an equal opportunity to audition for openings as do qualified students from outside the organization.  Members selected to fill vacancies in a group after the normal auditions will be placed to fill specific vacancies in the section.  Membership in one of the orchestras does not automatically insure acceptance into another.

Each member’s placement in the group will be based upon auditions and input from qualified professional musicians.  The Conductor/Director determines the placement in each section to best fulfill the needs of the group and changes in position or rotation of parts may occur at any time during the year.  Members who do not perform to acceptable standards, as set by the Conductor/Director, may be reassigned or asked to discontinue membership.

Principals or section leaders are selected by the Conductor/Director and are responsible for demonstrating leadership in the following areas:

• The musical proficiency of and leadership within their section
• Modeling positive behavior
• Reporting concerns to the Conductor/Director or staff
• String principals must see that their section has the correct bowings in coordination with the concertmaster and Conductor/Director

Questions?