Instrumental Music

On audition day:

  • Bring 2 copies of your audition music, one for yourself and one for the judge.
  • Please bring 2 copies of your resume . Your current headshot (a small photo) should be included in your resume. Here is an example template.
  • Bring a current transcript or report card.
    • Transcript for rising grades 10th – 12th
    • Report Card for rising grades 6th – 9th
  • Auditions are NOT conducted for guitar.

Strings, Winds & Percussion: All Levels / Grades 6 – 12

  • Students must be willing to attend an approved professional and/or collegiate-level concert every nine weeks.
  • Students must be committed to attending all required rehearsals and performances outside of school hours.
  • Students must have the ability to rent or purchase an instrument.
  • Commit to spending at least thirty minutes a day practicing.

BEGINNING STRINGS, WINDS & PERCUSSION – no experience, Grade 6 only.

Auditions for beginning musicians will take the form of an aptitude test. Students should be prepared to:

  • Test for rhythmic and melodic perception.
  • Identify common music symbols.
  • Beginning (no experience) auditions are not conducted for percussion.

BEGINNING STRINGS, WINDS & PERCUSSION – one year or less prior experience, Grades 6 – 7

  • Bring an instrument, music, and prepared piece to the audition. The prepared piece should be selected from an etude book, or solo repertoire for your instrument. Please do not prepare and bring a part from a piece of band or orchestra music. Percussionists should bring sticks/mallets and may play the snare drum or mallet instruments that we have here, unless you have a preference to bring your own. Percussion should bring a mallet and snare excerpt.
  • Demonstrate how to hold an instrument properly.
  • Produce a pleasing sound.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of steady beat and be able to play with a metronome.

BEGINNING STRINGS: Perform from memory one octave of the D Major scale ascending and descending.

BEGINNING WINDS: Perform from memory one octave of the Bb Major scale ascending and descending.

INTERMEDIATE STRINGS, WINDS & PERCUSSION, Grades 6-9

  • Bring an instrument, music, and prepared piece to the audition. The prepared piece should be selected from an etude book, or solo repertoire for your instrument. Please do not prepare and bring a part from a piece of band or orchestra music. Percussionists should bring sticks/mallets and may play the snare drum or mallet instruments that we have here, unless you have a preference to bring your own. Percussion should bring a mallet and snare excerpt.
  • Demonstrate how to hold an instrument properly.
  • Produce a pleasing sound.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of steady beat and be able to play with a metronome.
  • Sight-read a piece.

INTERMEDIATE STRINGS: Perform from memory the C, G, and D Major scales, ascending and descending.

INTERMEDIATE WINDS: Perform from memory the Bb, F, Eb, and chromatic scales, ascending and descending.

ADVANCED STRINGS, WINDS & PERCUSSION

  • Bring an instrument, music, and prepared piece to the audition. The prepared piece should be selected from an etude book, or solo repertoire for your instrument. Please do not prepare and bring a part from a piece of band or orchestra music. Percussionists should bring sticks/mallets and may play the snare drum or mallet instruments that we have here, unless you have a preference to bring your own. Percussion should bring a mallet and snare excerpt.
  • Produce a pleasing sound.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of steady beat and be able to play with a metronome.
  • Sight-read a piece.

ADVANCED STRINGS: Violin, viola, and cello – perform from memory the major scales up to three sharps and flats in at least two octaves. Bass – perform the G Major scale two octaves and the F, Bb, C, and, D Major scales in at least one octave. Scales should be ascending and descending.

ADVANCED WINDS & PERCUSSION: Perform the Bb, F, Eb, Ab, C, G, and D Major scales from memory – at least one octave, two when possible, ascending and descending.

All CCA Majors

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