Audition Elements

Note: Students auditioning for DCS only need to prepare a solo piece as detailed below.

SCALES

Students are to prepare scales as specified by their instrument's Audition Packet, available on the Auditions page. Harpists and percussionists do not need to play scales.

SOLO PIECE

Students are to prepare one (1) minute of a short piece. Students should choose a piece reflective of their current musical ability. Judges will listen to the student’s solo piece and may stop them early. Percussionists do not need to prepare a solo piece.

​REQUIRED EXCERPTS

Students are to prepare and polish the excerpts within the instrument-specific Audition Packet, available on the Auditions page. For those interested in joining PSE or ES, please prepare both Excerpt #1 and Excerpt #2 (students interested in ES should prepare the portion(s) Excerpt #2 that they are able to play cleanly). For those interested in joining CYSO, please prepare all of the excerpts. Students will be expected to adhere to tempo, articulation and dynamic markings.

SIGHT-READING

All students should be prepared to sight-read an orchestral passage to be selected at the audition.