Audition for the 2022-2023 Season
STRINGS - WOODWINDS - BRASS - PERCUSSION - HARP
Students wishing to audition must submit their audition application and a $25 application fee.
Year-round auditions are available by appointment for admittance into all PYCO ensembles.
Audition Requirements
After reviewing the audition requirements for your instrument below, we invite you to fill out an application! Once we receive a completed application, you will be contacted to schedule an audition.
No audition is required for Jazz Ensemble or the Adult Jazz Program!
Please note, grades are listed as general guidelines only. Placement is at the sole discretion of ensemble directors.
STRINGS
PYCO Symphony Orchestra/Concert Strings (grades 9-12)
- 2 or 3 octave Scales (up to 4 sharps & 4 flats)
- Any solo of your choice from the standard repertoire (concerto, sonata, étude or orchestral excerpt) demonstrating technical and musical abilities
- Sight reading (provided at the audition)
Chamber Strings (grades 6-9)
- 2 scales in one or two octaves that display student's best abilities. It is recommended that students choose scales that include shifting and extended fingers.
- 1 solo piece or étude that displays student's best abilities
- Sight reading may be required at the audition.
Junior Strings (grades 4-7)
- 2 scales in one or two octaves that display student's best abilities
- 1 solo piece or étude that displays student's best abilities
- Sight reading may be required at the audition.
PYCO Chamber Music Program (grades 6-12)
- 3 octave scales
- One solo piece the student is currently working on
- One solo piece that demonstrates the student's technical and musical abilities
WOODWINDS
PYCO Symphony Orchestra/Concert Winds (grades 9-12)
- 2 prepared contrasting pieces
- All major scales up to and including 4 sharps and 4 flats
- Sight reading (provided at the audition)
Junior Wind Ensemble (grades 6-8)
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone
- 1 prepared fast solo or song
- 1 prepared slow solo or song
- 2 scales
PYCO Chamber Music Program (grades 6-12)
- 3 octave scales
- One solo piece the student is currently working on
- One solo piece that demonstrates the student's technical and musical abilities
BRASS
PYCO Symphony Orchestra/Concert Winds (grades 8-12)
- 2 prepared contrasting pieces
- Sight reading (provided at the audition)
Junior Wind Ensemble (grades 6-8)
Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium/Baritone, Tuba
Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium/Baritone, Tuba
- 1 prepared fast solo or song
- 1 prepared slow solo or song
- 2 scales
PERCUSSION
PYCO Symphony Orchestra/Concert Winds (grades 9-12)
- Prepare a snare, mallet and timpani solo of your choice from the standard repertoire, demonstrating technical and musical abilities
- Sight reading (provided at the audition)
Junior Wind Ensemble (grades 6-8)
- 1 or 2 prepared solos on Snare Drum and/or Xylophone/Bells (ideally, 1 solo for each instrument)
- Demonstrate basic rudiments, i.e. rolls, flams
- 1 or 2 scales on xylophone
- Possible sight reading
- Optional: a short piano piece, if the student plays piano
PIANO
PYCO Chamber Music Program (grades 6-12)
- 3 octave scales
- One solo piece the student is currently working on
- One solo piece that demonstrates the student's technical and musical abilities
HARP
PYCO Symphony Orchestra (grades 9-12)
- Any solo of your choice from the standard repertoire (concerto, sonata, étude or orchestral excerpt) demonstrating technical and musical abilities
- Sight reading (provided at the audition)