Audition Requirements for Youth Ensembles

Youth Orchestras (RIPYO)

For All Instruments

One Solo Piece representative of the literature for your instrument.  (Suggested solos for each ensemble are listed below.)
Scales Specific scale requirements for each ensemble (listed below)
Sight-reading Students may be asked to sight-read

Percussion

Snare drum or timpani etude (snare drum and timpani will be available)
Demonstrate basic percussion techniques - single strokes, double strokes and ability to roll at different dynamics

Woodwinds and Brass

Solo piece: student’s choice. Students must perform with correct style, expression and articulationScales: Play Major and Minor in as many octaves as possibleStrings (Specific Requirements for each ensemble)

String Ensemble

Suggested solos: any solo from Suzuki Book 1 (all strings)
Scales: G Major in 2 octaves, D and A Major in 1 octave
Demonstrate good quality of sound, knowledge of 1st position and ability to play with 2 and 4 note slurs.

Intermediate String Ensemble

Suggested solos: any solo from Suzuki Book 2 or 3 (all strings)
Scales: Major and Minor scales in first position
Demonstrate ability to play with 3 major strokes: détaché, legato and martelé and be able to sight-read.

String Orchestra

Suggested solos: any solo from Suzuki book 4 or 5 (all strings)
Scales: Major and Minor scales up to 3 flats and 3 sharps in as many octaves as possible
Vibrato required only for solo piece. Demonstrate ability to play with good quality sound and intonation and be able to shift to 3 rd position.

Repertory Orchestra

Suggested solos: any solo from Suzuki Book 5 or 6 (all strings)
Violin: concertos by Haydn, Accolay, Rode, Beriot, Airs by Dancla
Viola: concertos by Telemann
Cello: Solo Suite No. 1 in G by Bach, Sonatas in C and G by Romberg, Concerto No. 4 by Golterman, Sonata in D by Telemann, Six Sonatas by Vivaldi
Bass: Marcello Sonata in G Minor, last movement
Scales: All Major and Minor scales in 3 octaves up to 7 th position
Demonstrate ability to play with all bow strokes: détaché, legato, martelé, spiccato, marcato and combination of different rhythms. Demonstrate ability to sound expressive, use all parts of the bow and play with correct style. Students at this level are usually studying etudes including the violin and viola exercises by Kayser and Mazas.

Symphony Orchestra

Required Etude for Violin: Kreutzer Exercise #2 (all violin students auditioning for Symphony must perform this etude in addition to a solo of their choice)
Required Etude for Viola: Kreutzer Exercise #2 (all viola students auditioning for Symphony must perform this etude in addition to a solo of their choice)
Suggested solos:
Violin: Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, Bach Concerto for Violin in A Minor or E Major, Bruch Violin Concerto #3, Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto # 3, Mendelssohn Violin  Concerto, Wieniawski Violin Concerto # 2 or any virtuoso pieces by P. Sarasate, H. Wieniawski, C. Saint-Saëns or F. Kreisler
Viola: Bach Solo Suite for Cello No. 1, 2 or 3 (any movement)
Cello: Bach Solo Suite No. 1, 2 or 3 (any movement)
Bass: Capuzzi Concerto in F (first page)
Scales: All Major and Minor (natural and melodic minor) scales in 3 octaves with separate strokes and without vibrato (bass students play scales in 2 octaves)
Demonstrate understanding of classical styles of music (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc.) provide correct expression with a broad dynamic range and demonstrate a high technical level.

Youth Wind Ensemble (RIPYWE)

Junior Division
All Instruments:

Solo representative of the literature for your instrument (Rhode Island Solo & Ensemble Festival solo suggested, if appropriate)
Scales Students will be asked to play 2 scales of their choice in multiple octaves if possible (The chromatic scale may be used as one of the 2 scales)
Sight-Reading: Students may be asked to sight-read
Percussion: Snare drum, timpani or mallet etude (snare drum will be provided) Demonstrate basic percussion technique such as single strokes, double strokes and ability to roll at different dynamics.

Senior Division
All Instruments

Solo representative of the literature for your instrument. (NYSSMA grade 5 or 6 suggested)
Scales All major scales and the chromatic scale in multiple octaves
Sight-reading Students may be asked to sight-read
Percussion: Snare drum, timpani and mallet etude, all 3 if possible (snare drum will be provided) Demonstrate basic percussion technique such as single strokes, double strokes and ability to roll at different dynamics.

Youth Jazz Ensembles (RIPYJazz)

Combos for 7 – 9th grade musicians

Scales: Concert key of B-flat, E-flat and F major (except for drummers)
Solo: Jazz tune, Jazz Etude or Classical solo of your choice
Sight-Reading: Short piece with some syncopation

Other Requirements:

• Guitar: Major and minor triads; the Blues progression  
• Electric Bass: Simple note reading; major and minor triads
• Drums: 3 part drum notation; swing and rock styles

Combos & RIPYJazz Big Band for 10 – 12th grade musicians

Scales: Chromatic 2 octaves, Major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats (except for drummers)
Solo: Jazz tune, Jazz Etude or Classical solo of your choice
Sight-Reading: Short piece with some syncopation
Optional: Improvisation – Solo on F blues

Other Requirements:

• Guitar: Major and minor triads; Major 7th, minor 7th, dominant 7th and minor 7b5 chords; the Blues progression    
• Electric Bass: Simple note reading; Swing, Latin and rock styles from chord changes 
• Drums: 3 part drum notation; Swing and rock styles