Orchestra Audition Performance Requirements 
Please read all of the requirements carefully as changes have been made for each instrument.

Revised
5/23/07
Chamber Strings (Strings only) Young Artists Symphony Sinfonia/Philharmonic
Grade in school  4th-6th grade 6th-8th grade 7th - 9th grade 10th - 12th grade
MINIMUM SOLO LEVEL *
 Please read below
Grade 1 - 3  Grade 2 - 4  Grade 3 - 5  Grade 4 - 6 
SIGHT-READING Sight-read parts which are comparable in difficulty to the orchestra repertoire Sight-read parts which are comparable in difficulty to the orchestra repertoire Sight-read parts which are comparable in difficulty to the orchestra repertoire
MEMORIZED SCALES
 & MEMORIZED TONIC ARPEGGIOS
 **
Please read below

No. of octaves/scales, slurred two notes per bow at quarter = 72.  Tonic Arpeggios are required for Young Artists strings only.  Arpeggios are optional for chamber strings. 
 
No. of octaves/scales  slurred two notes per bow at quarter = 72.  Tonic Arpeggios for strings only No. of octaves/scales, No. of octaves/scales  slurred three notes per bow at quarter = 72. Tonic Arpeggios for strings only
VIOLIN 2 / C G D A Bb; 1 / F   G chrm 1 or 2 octaves; 2 / C G D A F Bb Eb  1/ Ab   G chrm 2 or 3 oct; 3 / C G A B Bb Ab; 2 / D E F Eb 
VIOLA 2 / C D; 1 / G A F Bb   C chrm 1 or 2 octaves; 2 / C G D F; 1 / A Bb Eb    C chrm 2 or 3 oct; 3 / C D Eb; 2/ G A E B F Bb Ab    
CELLO 2 / C  D; 1 / G A F Bb   C chrm 1 or 2 octaves; 2 / C G D F; 1 / A Bb Eb  C chrm 2 or 3 oct; 3 / C D Eb; 2/ G A E B F Bb Ab  
BASS 1 / C G A D F Bb   E chrm 2 octaves; 2 /E; 1 / C G D A F Bb Eb   E chrm 2 or 3 oct; 2/C G D A E B  F Bb Eb Ab
FLUTE chrm 1 or more oct; 2 / G D F; 1 / C A Bb  chrm 1 or more oct; 2 / C G D A E F Bb Eb Ab    Chrm in range; 2 or 3 all major scales
OBOE 1/chromatic;1 / C G D A F Bb chrm 1 or more oct; 2 / D Eb; 1/ C G A E  F Bb Ab  Chrm in range; 2 / all major scales
CLARINET chrm 1 or more oct; 2 / C G D A  F Bb chrm 1 or more oct; 2 / C G D A E F Bb Eb Ab Chrm in range; 3 / G E F 2/all other major scales 
BASSOON 1/chromatic; 1 / C G D A F Bb chrm 1 or more oct; 2 / C D; 1 / G A E F Bb Eb   Chrm in range; 2 / all major scales
FRENCH HORN 1/chromatic; 1 / C G D A F Bb  chrm 1 or more oct; 2 / G F ; 1 / C D A E Bb Eb Ab  Chrm in range; 2 / all major scales 
TRUMPET 1/chromatic; 1 / C G D A F Bb chrm 1 or more oct; 2 / C G A Bb Ab ; 1/ D E F Eb   Chrm in range; 2 / C G A B Bb Ab; 1/D E F# C# F Eb Db Cb
TROMBONE 1/chromatic; 1 / C G D  F Bb Eb chrm 1 or more oct; 2 / F G ; 1/ C D A E Bb Eb Ab Chrm in range; 2 / all major scales 
TUBA 1/chromatic;1 / C G D  F Bb Eb chrm 1 or more oct; 2 / F G ; 1/ C D Bb Eb Ab Chrm in range; 1 or 2 octaves all major scales 
PERCUSSION Snare solo or etude required.  Timpani OR mallet solo, or  etude required. Demonstrate ability on bass drum and cymbals.  Snare solo required & timpani or mallet solo required; demonstrate familiarity with timpani tuning, and demonstrate ability on bass drum and cymbals.  Snare drum and timpani and mallet solos required; demonstrate ability on bass drum, cymbals, & timpani tuning.   
HARP (Pedals)
Solo and Excerpt Requirement

MCYO will supply requirements and harp excerpts upon request.  Please call David Levin at 301-977-1333 

*  Students may audition with material exceeding the minimum requirements,  although it is recommended that students only  perform music which highlights their best technical and musical ability.  No accompanist required.  Grade level refers to the difficulty ranging from Grades 1 (easy)  through 6 (most advanced), please consult a school or private teacher for more info.  You can also find grade level listings on the  Maryland Music Educators Association and American String Teachers Association web sites.

** Arpeggios are for strings only.  All 1 & 2 octave scales/arpeggios are to be memorized and  played in even 8th notes slurred two notes per bow at a metronome speed of at least quarter note = 72  
  All 3 octave scales and arpeggios are to be memorized and played in even triplets at a metronome speed of at least quarter note = 72. 

Return to top of page