Auditions
Auditions and How to Join
To schedule an audition:
- Fill out the online application – Apply
- Pay the $25 audition fee at our secure payment site.
- You will receive your audition date and time by email.
Additional dates may be added as needed
Audition Materials to Prepare |
All players auditioning should prepare:
- A solo piece (or 2 short pieces) with contrasting sections of fast and slow music.
- Scales and arpeggios as indicated (preferably memorized).
- Auditions will also have sight reading.
Group Levels |
OPAYCO and PASW
- Students in OPAYCO and PASW study standard repertoire (concertos, sonatas). For strings, this is usually equivalent to Suzuki Book 8 or higher.
- OPAYCO and PASW players are expected to study privately.
- OPAYCO and PASW players have excellent tone, with rich vibrato and well-
modulated breath or bow control. String players are proficient in a variety of bow strokes, including spiccato. - OPAYCO and PASW players are good to excellent sight readers and demonstrate a mature musicianship.
- Violinists and cellists must have treble clef skills. Cellists additionally should be fluent readers in tenor clef.
- Bassoonists and trombonists must be able to read tenor clef.
- French horn, trumpet, and clarinet players should have excellent transposing skills.
PAYCE
- PAYCE is for strings, winds, and brass who are proficient at their instruments. String players are usually at the level of Suzuki Books 5 – 7.
- PAYCE players are developing their technical skills, and are good sight readers.
- Although no experience is required, most PAYCE students have played in orchestras and chamber ensembles.
- Cellists should be familiar with tenor clef.
- French horn and trumpet players should have some transposing skills.
PACS
- PACS level varies from approximately Suzuki Book 2 (or the equivalent) to Book 4. Students at a lower level will be considered if they have good sight reading skills. All players need some music reading skill.
- Experience with early shifting is expected: violins and violas should be familiar with 3rd position, and cellos should be learning 2nd and 4th positions.
- PACS players are often still developing their tone and vibrato, but some vibrato skill is expected.
Scale Requirements |
OPAYCO Strings
Play one major and one minor scale in 3 or 4 octaves with accompanying arpeggios, slurring 3 to 8 notes per bow. Please choose scales with at least 4 sharps or flats. OPAYCO players are expected to study scales in all keys; you may be asked to play scales in other keys at the request of the conductor.
OPAYCO and PASW Winds and Brass
Play one major and one minor scale in 2 octaves, plus accompanying major and minor arpeggios. Please choose scales with at least 3 sharps or flats. Prepare one of the scales with fast staccato tonguing. OPAYCO and PASW players are expected to study scales in all keys; you may be asked to play scales in other keys at the request of the conductor. Also prepare a fast chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note (and back down), slurred.
OPAYCO and PASW Harp and Piano
Play two major and two minor scales with accompanying arpeggios, covering the entire range of the instrument.
OPAYCO and PASW Percussion
Prepare a snare drum study, and please bring a snare drum and sticks with you. You may also show us your skill on other instruments, but you must bring all equipment with you. We have no percussion instruments at the auditions.
PAYCE Strings
Play one major and one minor scale in 2 – 3 octaves. Play 3 or 4 slurred notes per bow. PAYCE students should know major and minor scales up to 4 sharps and flats.
PAYCE Winds and Brass
Play one major and one minor scale in 2 octaves. Prepare one of the scales with staccato tonguing. PAYCE players are expected to study scales in keys up to 4 sharps and flats; you may be asked to play scales in other keys at the request of the conductor. Also prepare a chromatic scale from your lowest to highest note (and back down), slurred.
PACS Strings
Play two scales of your own choice in 1 – 2 octaves. Play at least one of the scales with slurs. PACS students should know scales up to 2 sharps and flats. You may be asked to play additional scales at the request of the conductor (but only up to 2 sharps or flats).