Welcome to the audition requirements!
The scale, solo, and excerpt you play is your choice. Pick material where you will sound your best. Selecting materials with the help of a school or private music teacher is a great strategy.
Not sure if you’re ready for an audition? Read the requirements below – if you can handle them, you’re ready!
Your FREE 10-minute audition for the 2026-2027 Season at the Elley-Long Music Center this May will include:
- Scale & arpeggio: Prepare one major OR one minor scale of your choice with corresponding arpeggio. The scale and arpeggio should be played at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 80. Prepare the number of octaves that best represents your range of ability. The scale and arpeggio do not need to be memorized. PERCUSSIONISTS: In addition to one scale and arpeggio (xylophone/orchestra bells), you will be asked to demonstrate basic rudiments such as a long roll (snare) and tuning changes (timpani).
- Solo of your choice (without accompaniment): Prepare a brief solo that best demonstrates your technical and expressive capabilities. 2 minutes of your solo will be heard, so select a starting point that will showcase your best playing. Your piece does not need to be memorized. PERCUSSIONISTS: Choose a solo on ONE instrument- snare drum, timpani, or xylophone/orchestra bells.
- Sight Reading: A short passage appropriate for your level will be selected by the adjudicators and provided in the audition.
- Orchestral excerpt: Choose ONE of the excerpts listed for your instrument below and prepare it to the best of your ability. PERCUSSIONISTS: You must play ONE excerpt on snare drum, ONE excerpt on timpani, and ONE excerpt on xylophone (3 excerpts total).
Follow the links below to access the list of instrument-specific audition requirements, and to download the required orchestral excerpt.
