Auditions

Entry Auditions

(Primarily Spring auditions for the following season but Fall auditions can be scheduled)

• 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) or to Google Drive and copy/paste that link into your registration form.

Audition Requirements

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.
Violin - G major - one octave (2 octaves if you can)
Viola - C major - one octave (2 octaves if you can)
Cello -C major - one octave (2 octaves if you can)​
Note: Auditions for Dolce String Ensemble are informational, not exclusionary. Auditions are used to inform repertoire decisions.

​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 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 - Please record D Major, F Major, C melodic minor, 2 octaves, and chromatic scale 2 octaves. 

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 scales as follows:

• ​Strings - Please record E Major, A-flat Major, and D melodic minor, all in 3 octaves. (YS strings are expected to know all major scales up to four sharps or four flats.)
• Winds and brass - Please record E major, Eb major, f melodic minor, as many octaves as you can, and a chromatic scale showing your full range. Chromatic scale legato (slur eight, breathe where needed), all other scales soft tonguing. (YS students are expected to know all Major Scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats; 3 octaves or to the limits of your range.)
• 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, then 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.  

Sr. Jazz Orchestra

Students should prepare the following material

• Winds
  • 2 choruses of Autumn Leaves
  • First chorus play the melody, second chorus improvised solo
• Guitar/Piano
  • 2 choruses of Autumn Leaves
  • First chorus play the melody, second chorus comp chords
• Bass
  • 2 Choruses of Autumn Leaves
  • First chorus play melody, second chorus walk a bass line
• Drums
  • 1 chorus of Autumn leaves swung
  • 16 bars Rock/Funk pattern
  • 16 bars Latin style of your choice (e.g. samba, mambo, salsa)

Jr. Jazz Orchestra

Students should prepare the following material

• Winds
  • 2 choruses of  Bag's Groove
  • First chorus play the melody, Optional second chorus improvised solo
• Guitar/Piano
  • 2 choruses of Bag's Groove
  • First chorus play the melody, second chorus comp chords
• Bass
  • 2 Choruses of Bag's Groove
  • First chorus play melody, second chorus walk a bass line
• Drums
  • 1 chorus of Bag's Groove swung
  • 16 bars drum pattern of your choice