RHODE ISLAND PHILHARMONIC MUSIC SCHOOL

YOUTH ORCHESTRA AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

RHODE ISLAND PHILHARMONIC YOUTH ORCHESTRAS

For All Instruments:

SOLO PIECE representative of the literature for your instrument Suggested solo requirements for each ensemble listed below.

SCALES Specific scale requirements for each ensemble listed below

SIGHT-READING Students may be asked to sight-read

Percussion:

Snare drum or timpani etude (snare drum will not be provided)

Demonstrate basic percussion techniques such as single strokes, double strokes and ability to roll at different dynamics

Woodwinds and Brass:

Solo piece: student’s choice. Students must perform with correct style, expression and articulation

Scales: Symphony Orchestra students should know all Major and Minor (natural and melodic minor) Scales. Play scales in as many octaves as possible

Repertory Orchestra students should know all Major and Minor (natural and melodic minor) scales up to 3 flats and 3 sharps. Play scales in as many octaves as possible.

Chromatic Scale: Entire range

Strings: Specific Requirements for each ensemble

String Ensemble

Suggested solos:

All strings: any solo from Suzuki Book 1

Cello: Ten Pieces in First Position by Bach/ Krane

Scales: G Major in 2 octaves, D and A Major in 1 octave

Students must demonstrate good quality of sound, knowledge of 1^st position, and ability to play with 2 and 4 note slurs.

Intermediate String Ensemble

Suggested solos:

All strings: any solo from Suzuki Book 2 or 3

Violin: Reiding Violin Concerto in B minor

Cello: Sonata in C Major by Breval, Fairy Tales by Squire

Bass: Simandl Method, International Edition, page 24 #7

Scales: Major and Minor scales up to 3 sharps and 3 flats in 1^st position, 2 octaves if possible.

Students must demonstrate ability to play with 3 major strokes: détaché, legato and martelé, and demonstrate ability to sight-read.

String Orchestra

Suggested solos:

All strings: any solo from Suzuki book 4 or 5

Violin: any solo by Vivaldi, Corelli, or Seitz

Cello: Student Concerto in D by L. Mendelssohn, Six Sonatas by Marcello.

Scales: Major and Minor scales up to 3 flats and 3 sharps in 3 octaves if possible

Vibrato required only for solo piece. Students must demonstrate ability to play with good quality of sound and good intonation and ability to shift to 3^rd position. Students at this level are usually studying etudes such as Sevcik Shifting Technique Exercises.

Repertory Orchestra

Suggested solos:

All strings: any solo from Suzuki Book 5 or 6;

Violin: concertos by Haydn, Accolay, Rode, Beriot, Airs by Dancla, Viola: concertos by Telemann

Cello: Solo Suite No. 1 in G by Bach, Sonatas in C and G by Romberg, Concerto No. 4 by Golterman, Sonata in D by Telemann, Six Sonatas by Vivaldi

Bass: Marcello Sonata in G Minor, last movement

Scales: All Major and Minor scales in 3 octaves up to 7^th position

Demonstrate ability to play with all bow strokes: détaché, legato, martelé, spiccato, marcato and combination of different rhythms. Demonstrate ability to sound expressive, use all parts of the bow, and play with correct style. Students at this level are usually studying etudes including the violin and viola exercises by Kayser, and Mazas.

Symphony Orchestra

Required etude for Violin Kreutzer Exercise #3 (all violin students auditioning for Symphony must perform this etude in addition to a solo of their choice)

Suggested solos:

Violin: Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, Bach Concerto for Violin in A Minor or E Major, Bruch Violin Concerto # 3, Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto # 3, Mendelssohn Violin  Concerto, Weiniawski Violin Concerto # 2 or any virtuoso pieces by P. Sarasate, H. Weiniawski, C. Saint-Saëns or F. Kreisler

Viola: Bach Solo Suite for Cello No. 1, 2 or 3 (any movement)

Cello: Bach Solo Suite No. 1, 2 or 3 (any movement)

Bass: Capuzzi Concerto in F (first page)

Scales: Students should know all Major and Minor (natural and melodic minor) scales in 3 octaves with separate strokes and without vibrato (bass students should play scales in 2 octaves)

Violin students at this level are studying etudes including the Mazas 75 Progressive Melodies Book 2 and 3, Kreutzer 42 Exercises and the Rode 24 Caprices

Students must demonstrate understanding of classical styles of music (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc.) provide correct expression with a broad dynamic range and demonstrate a high technical level.