2022-2023 Audition Information

MYS Ensemble Guide

This MYS Ensemble Guide includes more information about our organization and our ensembles. Including detailed information about the skills required for each group. Updated 8/2022


Guidelines for Auditions

Tip: be sure to check out “Recommendations for a successful audition video” before recording your audition!

Auditions for ensemble placement in the 2022-2023 season will be conducted via self-recorded video (smartphone videos are okay!) and will consist of two video recordings: (1) scales and solo repertoire and (2) scheduled excerpts.

Auditions for all ensemble types are being accepted and placements will be made on a rolling basis.

  1. Scales and solo repertoire (All instruments and ensembles) This audition recording may be submitted anytime after June 1 and is a separate recording from the scheduled excerpts below. Please see the requirements below and the recording tips. Detailed instructions will be sent via email upon registration.
  2. Scheduled Excerpts (all ensembles except Jazz) This part of the audition replaces the sight-reading element of in-person auditions. It helps MYS faculty evaluate the ability of a student to read and learn music in a timely manner.
    • MYS will email excerpts on scheduled days to students who have completed the registration process. If none of the date windows offered are possible, you may request alternate dates, see registration form for details.
    • Students will receive an e-mail with a link to a PDF along with information for how to submit recordings. This document will contain several musical excerpts in order of difficulty. Students are asked to select and record the two most advanced excerpts that they can perform accurately at the indicated tempo. 
    • An accurate performance includes correct pitches, rhythm, dynamics and phrasing.
    • We ask that students prepare excerpts without assistance. The goal is to give students the best possible placement based on their current abilities. For example, if a student is placed in an ensemble that is too advanced for their current musical level, they might be overwhelmed with the level of music and their experience will suffer. Conversely, we do not want a child to be placed in an ensemble where they are not challenged enough. Our hope is that each applicant adheres to this guideline so that they receive the most appropriate placement.
    • Students will have 3 days to record and send in their excerpts. Excerpts will be due by midnight on the scheduled due date.
    • The solo audition videos (Step 1) are not required to be submitted prior to completing the scheduled excerpts, however, an ensemble placement will not be made until both components are completed.

Important Dates

September 10, 2022 – Fall Term Begins

December 3, 2022 – Winter Term Begins

February 3, 2023 -February Scheduled Excerpts Sent

February 5, 2023 – February Scheduled Excerpts Due

February 6th, 2023 – Spring Term Auditions Due

March 11, 2023 – Spring Term Begins

Instructions for submitting a video audition will be emailed after the registration process has been completed. If you are unable to submit a video audition, please complete the registration process and check the box at the end of the registration form that indicates you need an alternate way to audition and you will be contacted by the MYS staff.

All returning students, except those who are pre-registered for Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble, must submit a video audition or select an alternative audition. Contact the MYS office with questions.

Woodwind/Brass players: You may audition for jazz and band/orchestra! If you are also auditioning for jazz, you should submit two audition videos; one for band/orchestra and one for jazz.


Orchestra and Band Audition Requirements

  1. 2 Scales: 1 major and 1 minor (melodic or harmonic). Students may choose to play their scales in 1 or 2 octaves, depending on their skill level and whichever they can execute best. Younger students may present a second major scale instead of a minor scale.
    Woodwinds and brass should also play a chromatic scale.
  2. Record 4 minutes of solo repertoire: this may be one or two pieces, or multiple selections from the same piece. The music you choose should display contrasting styles and show your highest level of achievement.
    Auditions should be recorded without accompaniment.

Percussion Audition Requirements

ALL students should record a prepared solo of their choice and a selection of rudiments (See below) on the snare drum. All rudiments should be played slow-fast-slow (without stopping). Students should also play scales and a prepared solo of their choice on a mallet instrument (preferably xylophone, if available).

Snare Drum Rudiments:

  • Orchestral (multiple bounce) Roll
  • Paradiddle
  • Flamtap

Beginning students: Prepared mallet instrument solo is optional. 

As MYS Percussionists, students are expected to bring their own set of sticks to every rehearsal. Conductors recommend that students purchase the Vic Firth pack for $80 (at Beacock Music) that includes two sets of snare sticks (SD1 and SD2), a pair of yarn mallets (M3), xylo/glock mallets (M6), staccato timpani sticks (T3), and a stick bag.


Jazz Audition Requirements – Updated 9/22

(Note for all students: You may audition for both jazz and band/orchestra! If you are also auditioning for band/orchestra, you should submit two audition videos; one for band/orchestra and one for jazz.)

Pitched Instruments (brass, woodwinds, piano, bass, etc):
1. Scales – record each of the scales below, up & down 2 octaves, at the fastest tempo you can execute with clarity. Memorization is not required.

  • D-flat Major
  • D-flat Dorian (1-2-b3-4-5-6-b7)
  • D-flat Mixolydian (1-2-3-4-5-6-b7)
  • Chromatic scale

MYS Jazz Audition Scale Requirements (PDF)

2. Repertoire – record each of the 4 tunes below, at the fastest tempo you can execute with clarity. Chordal instruments (piano, guitar) should accompany themselves with chords throughout.

Notes from our Jazz Director:

Scales

The three iterations of the Db scale were chosen for their degree of difficulty and their implications. Meaning, however well a student can play these scales, it’ll be an indication as to how well they can play 90% of the rest of their scales. Not to mention, even if a student were to only learn these three iterations for the purposes of this audition (and has no other scales memorized), they’ll inadvertently be setting themselves up to play so many other scales with minimized effort anyway.

Repertoire

a) “C Jam Blues” is to evaluate “time feel,” as the melody only has two different notes.
b) “All Blues” is (once again) to evaluate “time feel,” but in an odd meter, as the melody is quite simple to learn.
c) “Straight No Chaser” is to evaluate technical fluency.
d) “Blue Bossa” is (once again) to evaluate technical fluency, but over a different stylistic feel. 

Drums

  • Swing in 4/4 (16 bars)
  • Bossa in 4/4 (16 bars)
  • Funk/Rock in 4/4 (16 bars)
  • Swing Ballad in 4/4 (8 bars)
  • Any rudimental snare etude   *Attach a pdf with submission

*Play each requirement at whatever tempo is most comfortable.

Tip: be sure to check out “Recommendations for a successful audition video” before recording your audition!