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. 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. 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. 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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