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
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:
Winds, Strings (other than bass), and Mallets:
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
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:
Winds, Strings (other than bass), and Mallets:
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Scales should be 2 octaves if possible
- Scales should be done as swung 8th notes
- Excerpt: It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing
- Be sure to pay attention to style
- It can be done at whatever tempo you feel appropriate
- Guitar and Piano
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Scales should be 2 octaves if possible
- Scales should be done as swung 8th notes
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Comp chords for one chorus of a 12 bar blues, any key
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Scales should be 2 octaves if possible
- Scales should be done as swung 8th notes
- Bass
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Scales should be 2 octaves if possible
- Scales should be done as swung 8th notes
- Walk a bass line for a 12 bar blues, any key.
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Drum set
- Play 16 measures of any 2 of the following styles: Up tempo Swing, Medium Shuffle, Funk