At the start of the video, please state your name, the school you’re attending and the city and state where you live.
Since this is the only chance for the student to be heard, the quality of the recording should be of utmost consideration. The quality of your recording will affect the evaluators’ ability to review and comment. A high-quality audio and video recording is expected.
Your audition should be prepared like any professional or university audition.
Consider lighting, framing and camera placement. Film in a well-lit space and be sure that there is more lighting in front of you rather than from behind.
Stay away from clutter - use a simple background. No food, laundry, music, instrument cases or other distractions should be in the shot.
We recommend using a tripod, stand or place camera on a flat surface while recording.
Place the camera so that you, your instrument or body and your full range of motion are always in the frame. When using music, be sure the music stand does not block your face, hands or instrument.
Choose a medium distance from the recording device that shows as much detail as possible, while still allowing the image to be framed as described above. Do not use the zoom function as this makes the image grainy or fuzzy.
Try to avoid using “selfie” mode on your devices as it does not allow for a wide enough camera angle.
Be aware of the acoustic environment in which you record, playing or singing clearly and without distortion. Background noise (television noise, other people practicing, dancing, cooking, etc.) and poor sound quality make your recording difficult to evaluate. Do not use any reverb or sound enhancement.
If you are recording from your phone or tablet, it should be set horizontally. Be sure to set it in Airplane mode or Do Not Disturb mode to avoid interruptions.
Review your recording(s) before you submit and check the sound level to ensure the best audio quality.
Only unedited recordings will be accepted and should be in high fidelity stereo. Other than stopping and starting the camera between segments, no editing of the audio/video is permitted. Applicants whose videos show evidence of any cuts, splicing, manipulation of pitch or other alteration within a performance segment will be subject to disqualification.
Play each scale twice, once at a slow tempo with legato articulation and once at a faster tempo with lightly tongued articulation
One (1), two-octave chromatic scale – starting pitch of your choice
Play 8th notes at a minimum tempo of quarter = 120 with lightly tongued articulation
Two (2) contrasting (in style and tempo) excerpts of your own choosing, each approximately 2-minutes in length
Students are encouraged to perform an excerpt that showcases technique and range, as well as an excerpt that showcases expressive and lyrical qualities.
Students seeking to play 1st Parts must demonstrate a command of the upper range on their instrument during one of the excerpts.
Percussion applicants must perform BOTH an open and buzz (or closed) roll on snare drum (tempo of your choice), along with two (2), two-octave scales of your choice on marimba.
Percussion applicants must submit a separate and representative solo on snare drum, marimba and timpani. Please verbally list the titles of these solos at the beginning of each of your recordings.
One (1) diatonic major scale ascending and descending on “ah”. Begin on a note of your choosing and ascend one octave.
An 8-step chromatic scale sung on “ah” in half steps ascending; pause for a breath and in half steps, descending. Begin on a note of your choosing.
Students should prepare and sing a standard piece of your choice: an art song, aria or folk song. You may sing this accompanied or unaccompanied. Some examples include repertoire that may be sung for solo and ensemble festivals.
