Audition Requirements

For more information about the large ensembles please click on "Large Ensemble Descriptions" here. You will find information about age ranges, technical requirements and past repertoire.

 

Admission to ensembles is by audition.   Auditions provide an opportunity for the student to demonstrate his/her skills as a musician.   Many of the large ensemble auditions are videotaped for later review by the conductors committee.

 

Spring Auditions:

Orchestra auditions (this includes Baroque Chamber Orchestra):

• All new students are required to audition at this time.
• Returning students who wish to remain in the same orchestra do not need to audition.
• Students wishing to change orchestras are required to audition.
• Please note that all orchestra auditions are videotaped for our panel of conductors who will place each student in the most appropriate group for his/her level.
• Students recommended for YPO will be emailed to schedule a callback audition.
• Strings/ Winds/ Brass:   Prepare two solo works or two movements from the same work that represent contrasting styles.    This usually means a fast, technical piece and a slower, more lyrical piece.   Due to limited audition time, students may be asked to start playing in the middle of a piece, and will often be stopped before the end of a piece.   Audition pieces should be pieces the student knows well, which demonstrate his/her range of technical abilities and musicianship.   The advice and help of the studentŐs private teacher should be requested in determining and preparing appropriate pieces for the audition.   Students will also be asked to sightread.
• No scales will be heard

 

Youth Chorale

• Only new students are required to audition
• Prepare 2 pieces, one in English, one in a foreign language.  
• 2 Letters of Recommendation from either a voice/music teacher or choral director.   There will be sight-reading at the audition

 

Sr. MYWE

• New and returning students are required to audition.
• Prepare a solo piece at the All-State Level
• Prepare scales up to and including 4 sharps and 4 flats.

 

Jr. MYWE

• New and returning students are required to audition.
• Prepare a solo piece at the Junior District Level.
• Prepare scales up to and including 4 sharps and 4 flats.

 

Renaissance Baroque Wind Band

• New and returning students are required to audition.
• Prepare a solo piece at the Junior District Level.
• Prepare scales up to and including 4 sharps and 4 flats.

 

Percussion Ensemble

• Only new students are required to audition.
• Prepare pieces on timpani, snare drum and mallets.  

 

ChildrenŐs Chorus

(Singing Circle, Preparatory Chorus, Middle School Chorus & ChildrenŐs Chorus)

• All new students are required to audition at this time.
• Students wishing to remain in the same chorus DO NOT need to audition.
• Students wishing to change choruses are required to audition at this time.
• Boys with changing voices should audition in the fall.
• Each student will have an individual meeting to determine the proper placement.   Age and grade are taken into consideration for placement, but are not the main determinants.  

 

Fall Auditions
September 7-9, 2007

Once a student has been accepted into an instrumental ensemble, a seating placement audition must be taken. During this weekend we will also hold placements for studio teachers, chamber music ensembles and classes as well as entrance auditions for the Scholarship Brass Quintet.   Please contact the Preparatory School at 617-585-1130 beginning August 15, 2006 for further information and to sign up for fall auditions.  

 

A limited number of audition spaces are available for new students interested in joining a large ensemble. Please call 617-585-1130 for more information.

 

For seating audition excerpts, please visit the individual large ensemble pages here.