Auditions for 2020-2021
Entry Auditions (Primarily Spring auditions for the following season but Fall auditions can be scheduled)
All students who audition will need to indicate on their application form the orchestra(s) and/or small ensemble(s) they would like to join, and prepare a solo of your choice representative of your current playing level, and scales as indicated below for the highest level orchestra or ensemble to which you are applying.
- All students are required to audition for initial entrance into any YMI ensemble. Please complete an Audition Application and an audition will be scheduled.
- Please upload your video to YouTube (which can be at an unlisted link if you would like) and email the link to ExecDir@YouthMusicIllinois.org.
All students who audition will need to indicate on their application form the orchestra(s) and/or small ensemble(s) they would like to join, and prepare a solo of your choice representative of your current playing level, and scales as indicated below for the highest level orchestra or ensemble to which you are applying.
Audition information by ensemble
Dolce String Ensemble:
Students should prepare a solo and the scales according to their instrument.
Violins: G major - one octave (2 octaves if you can)
Violas: C major - one octave (2 octaves if you can)
Cello: C major - one octave (2 octaves if you can)
Preparatory Orchestra:
Students should prepare a solo representative of their current playing level (up to 2 minutes) and the following scales:
G, D, and C major scales - 2 octaves
G and D Minor scales - 1 octave
NOTE: Auditions for Prep Orchestra are informational, not exclusionary. Auditions are used to inform seating and repertoire decisions. Any student with at least one year of middle or high school orchestra experience is welcome to join Prep Orchestra, with or without audition. Younger students with at least two years of private lessons, or an extensive piano background will generally meet the requirements for success in Prep Orchestra.
Concert Orchestra:
Students should prepare a solo representative of their current playing level (up to 3 minutes) and the scales as follows:
Violin: G, D major , A melodic minor - 2 octaves
Viola: G, D, major, D melodic minor- 2 octaves
Cello: G, D major, D melodic minor- 2 octaves
Bass: C, G major, A melodic minor- 2 octaves
All winds and brass instruments - C, G, D, A, F, Bb major, Bb chromatic (2 octaves, slur 8)
Note: A separate seating hearing for admitted students will be scheduled in advance of the start of next season. This hearing will include sight reading and excerpts from the fall repertoire.
Youth Symphony:
Students should prepare a solo representative of their current playing level (up to 3 minutes) and the scales as follows:
Strings: All Major Scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats, D melodic minor scale; 3 octaves - Please only record E, Ab, and d melodic minor.
Winds and brass: All Major Scales up to 3 sharps and 4 flats; 3 octaves or to the limit of your range (tongue), Chromatic scale; minimum 3 octaves, full range preferred (slur eight, breathe where needed)
French Horn: Range Scale: In C Major, starting at middle C (concert F), play up as far as you can, then back down to middle C and downward as far as you can.
Note: A separate seating hearing for admitted students will be scheduled in advance of the start of next season. This hearing will include sight reading and excerpts from the fall repertoire.
Percussion ensemble:
No scales required. Students should prepare a 2 minute solo or etude on Snare Drum, Mallets, and/or Timpani. The Jr. or Sr. level ILMEA etudes would also be an appropriate choice for solo.
Fall Big Band/Spring Jazz Orchestra
Audition Requirements:
Wind Players:
1) Marked section of Malaguena
2) Any 3 consecutive lines of the ILMEA Senior Scale Page, in swung 8th notes
Rhythm Section:
1) Marked Section of Malaguena
2) 12 measures of Bb Blues, comping chords/groove
Students should prepare a solo and the scales according to their instrument.
Violins: G major - one octave (2 octaves if you can)
Violas: C major - one octave (2 octaves if you can)
Cello: C major - one octave (2 octaves if you can)
Preparatory Orchestra:
Students should prepare a solo representative of their current playing level (up to 2 minutes) and the following scales:
G, D, and C major scales - 2 octaves
G and D Minor scales - 1 octave
NOTE: Auditions for Prep Orchestra are informational, not exclusionary. Auditions are used to inform seating and repertoire decisions. Any student with at least one year of middle or high school orchestra experience is welcome to join Prep Orchestra, with or without audition. Younger students with at least two years of private lessons, or an extensive piano background will generally meet the requirements for success in Prep Orchestra.
Concert Orchestra:
Students should prepare a solo representative of their current playing level (up to 3 minutes) and the scales as follows:
Violin: G, D major , A melodic minor - 2 octaves
Viola: G, D, major, D melodic minor- 2 octaves
Cello: G, D major, D melodic minor- 2 octaves
Bass: C, G major, A melodic minor- 2 octaves
All winds and brass instruments - C, G, D, A, F, Bb major, Bb chromatic (2 octaves, slur 8)
Note: A separate seating hearing for admitted students will be scheduled in advance of the start of next season. This hearing will include sight reading and excerpts from the fall repertoire.
Youth Symphony:
Students should prepare a solo representative of their current playing level (up to 3 minutes) and the scales as follows:
Strings: All Major Scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats, D melodic minor scale; 3 octaves - Please only record E, Ab, and d melodic minor.
Winds and brass: All Major Scales up to 3 sharps and 4 flats; 3 octaves or to the limit of your range (tongue), Chromatic scale; minimum 3 octaves, full range preferred (slur eight, breathe where needed)
French Horn: Range Scale: In C Major, starting at middle C (concert F), play up as far as you can, then back down to middle C and downward as far as you can.
Note: A separate seating hearing for admitted students will be scheduled in advance of the start of next season. This hearing will include sight reading and excerpts from the fall repertoire.
Percussion ensemble:
No scales required. Students should prepare a 2 minute solo or etude on Snare Drum, Mallets, and/or Timpani. The Jr. or Sr. level ILMEA etudes would also be an appropriate choice for solo.
Fall Big Band/Spring Jazz Orchestra
Audition Requirements:
Wind Players:
1) Marked section of Malaguena
2) Any 3 consecutive lines of the ILMEA Senior Scale Page, in swung 8th notes
Rhythm Section:
1) Marked Section of Malaguena
2) 12 measures of Bb Blues, comping chords/groove
| ymi_jazz_orchestra_audition_excerpts.pdf |
For Jr. Jazz
Wind Players:
1)Marked section of Sentimental Journey
2) 1 line from the ILMEA Jr. Scale Sheet
Rhythm Section:
1) Marked Section of Sentimental Journey
2) A solo representative of your current playing level (up to 2 minutes)
Wind Players:
1)Marked section of Sentimental Journey
2) 1 line from the ILMEA Jr. Scale Sheet
Rhythm Section:
1) Marked Section of Sentimental Journey
2) A solo representative of your current playing level (up to 2 minutes)
| ymi_jr_jazz_audition_excerpts.pdf |