2024-2025 AUDITION MUSIC
Special Note for Mozart Players: Mozart Players is a non-audition, preparatory string ensemble, the Online Audition Application Form and the Online Teacher Recommendation form is the only requirement for Mozart Players.
NEW Audition Process for Amadeus Players and Philharmonia STRINGS ONLY: String auditions will be played for a panel of up to 4 directors, using an updated music packet. The new music packet is formatted to include both Amadeus and Philharmonia skill requirements, which will facilitate director assessment and still allow students to audition for their preferred ensemble.
STRINGS ONLY: Students auditioning for Amadeus Players will prepare scales #1-2 and excerpts #1-2. Students auditioning for Philharmonia will prepare scales #1-3 and excerpts #1-3. All students will be asked to sight reading during the audition.
FOR WOODWIND, BRASS, and PERCUSSION – please refer to the packets for your audition material.
FOR ALL ENSEMBLES: to apply for SYS, please fill out the Online Audition Application Form.
2024-2025 AUDITION PACKETS
See down below for Audition Preparation Suggestions and Youth Symphony Optional Audition Literature.
| *YOUTH SYMPHONY | PHILHARMONIA | AMADEUS & PHILHARMONIA |
| Violin | Flute | Violin |
| Viola | Oboe | Viola |
| Cello | Clarinet | Cello updated 3/22 |
| Bass | Bassoon | Bass |
| Flute | Horn | |
| Piccolo | Trumpet | |
| Oboe | Trombone | |
| Clarinet | Tuba | |
| Bass Clarinet | Percussion | |
| Bassoon | ||
| Horn | ||
| Trumpet | ||
| Trombone | ||
| Tuba | ||
| Percussion |
*Youth Symphony Optional Audition Literature
As of May 5, 2022, there is an optional change to the Youth Symphony audition literature.
Students have the option to replace the following excerpts/pieces from the Youth Symphony audition with an excerpt of a solo or other orchestral excerpts they are currently preparing with their private teacher. The replacement piece should be approximately 1 min in length and be viewed as an opportunity to present the best of your musical and technical abilities. This change is not a requirement. If you do not have access to a private teacher and/or are not currently preparing material that would be a suitable replacement please present all of the Youth Symphony audition material for your instrument.
Selections to be replaced and/or modifications for each instrument listed in for each instrument below.
Violin – Pupil’s Concerto – Seitz – (top of page 2 of the audition material)
Viola – Sarabande – (top of page 2 of the audition material)
Cello – Etude No. 35 – Dotzauer – (top of page 2 of the audition material)
Bass – Excerpt from D-F – (top of page 2 of the audition material)
Flute – Largo Sonata in Bb – Beethoven – (page 2 of the audition material)
Oboe – Nocturne – Bassi – (page 2 of the audition material)
Clarinet – Variations Sentimentales – Bearmann – (page 2 of the audition material)
Bass Clarinet – Play Page 1 – scales and etude – Please ADD a solo excerpt if available
Bassoon – Song Without Words – E. Weissenburn – (page 2 of the audition material)
Horn – Etude No. 96 – Moderato – (page 2 of the audition material)
Trumpet – Solo – Liebeslied – (page 2 of the audition material)
Trombone – Andante Sostenuto (page 2 of the audition material)
Tuba – Concert Piece – H. Pairpare – (page 2 of the audition material)
Percussion – Play all audition material – you may add an additional solo piece/excerpt on any instrument of your choosing.
Audition Preparation Suggestions
1. We recommend that you print out all excerpts and scales for your respective instrument. Play through them, take them to your classroom or private teacher, and decide which excerpts you want to prepare for your audition. Selecting excerpts is no guarantee that you will qualify for that orchestra. If you are unable to demonstrate proficiency on your chosen excerpts, you will be placed in an ensemble that is a better fit.
2. It is important that you prepare/select the excerpts that you are going to be able to play with great intonation, rhythmic precision, a steady tempo (at the metronome markings indicated), and all dynamics, articulations, style, and bow stroke considerations.
3. Avoid picking excerpts that are too difficult for you. You might have big goals to be in a certain ensemble, but if you pick music that is beyond your abilities, it only shows us that you are not ready to play the level of music which that ensemble plays. We want everyone to have a solid confident audition.
4. Play all excerpts and scales within the tempo range indicated on the page. Playing excerpts too slowly or with hesitations/tempo changes will significantly affect your audition results. If you start an excerpt below or above the tempo range indicated, you might be stopped and asked to start over again within the indicated range. Be sure to practice with a metronome.
5. Be sure to adhere to all bowings marked in the excerpt. Fingerings are suggestions and are not mandatory, but the marked bowings are required.
6. For sightreading we will provide you with an excerpt. You will get a short, specified amount of time to look at the passage. Check the key signature, time signature, markings, and scan the passage for any trouble spots before performing it.