2023-2024 Audition Information

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

We offer live and video auditions for the 2023-2024 season. Students select which type of audition they prefer when registering.

New and returning students (except those who are pre-registered for Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble by June 9th) must audition for a 2023-2024 ensemble placement. Contact the MYS office if you have questions.

Woodwind/Brass/Percussion players: You may audition for jazz ensemble and for wind ensemble! If you are auditioning for both, you should schedule 2 audition times*, or submit two audition videos; one for wind ensemble/orchestra and one for jazz.

*To schedule a second audition time on the same date as the first audition, choose both audition types and dates and one audition time, then email production@playmys.org and we will add the second time on that date. A second audition on a separate date may be selected within the registration form, if desired.

Live Auditions

Students schedule their live audition date and time in the Registration Form. A confirmation email with the selected live audition date and time will be emailed once the registration process is completed. String students may audition at any location. Wind, brass, percussion and jazz students must select a Portland audition date and time. Students should schedule a second audition time* if auditioning on 2 instruments.

*To schedule a second audition time on the same date as the first audition, choose both audition types and dates and one audition time, then email production@playmys.org and we will add the second time on that date. A second audition on a separate date may be selected within the registration form, if desired.

Live auditions will include:

1. Scales and Solo Repertoire
   • Orchestra and Wind Ensemble Audition Requirements
   • Percussion Audition Requirements
   • Jazz Audition Requirements
     
2. Sight Reading

Custom dates for Live Auditions may be requested via the registration form. A member of the MYS Staff will reach out to you to schedule a date and time for your student to audition. Contact programs@playmys.org if you have questions.

Video Auditions

Tip: check out “Recommendations for a successful audition video” before recording your audition.

Video auditions consist of two recordings: Video 1) Scales & Solo Repertoire and Video 2) Scheduled Excerpts. Smartphone videos are great.

• Video 1) Scales & Solo Repertoire (All instruments and ensembles) This audition recording is a separate recording from the “scheduled excerpts” below, the 2 recordings may be submitted in any order. Please see the requirements below and the recording tips. Detailed instructions will be sent via email upon registration.
  • Orchestra and Wind Ensemble Audition Requirements
  • Percussion Audition Requirements
  • Jazz Audition Requirements
    
• Video 2) Scheduled Excerpts (all ensembles except Jazz)
  This replaces the sight-reading element of an in-person audition. It helps MYS faculty evaluate the ability of a student to read and learn music in a timely manner.
  • Families sign up for 3-day window in the MYS registration form. If none of the offered dates work with your family’s schedule, you may request alternate dates. [See the registration form for details.]
  • MYS will email students and parents the orchestral excerpts on the scheduled date. The email will include a link to a PDF as well as information for how to submit recordings. The PDF will contain several musical excerpts in order of increasing difficulty. Students should select and record the two most advanced excerpts that they can perform accurately at the indicated tempo. This includes correct pitches, rhythm, dynamics, articulations, and musical phrasing.
  • Excerpts must be recorded with an audible metronome.
  • Students are encouraged to listen to professional recordings of the pieces from which the excerpts are drawn. Free recordings of all of the pieces can be found online.
  • Students should prepare excerpts without assistance, this includes parents and teachers. Please note: The goal of Scheduled Excerpts is to give students the most accurate placement based on their current skill level. If a student is assisted and then placed in an ensemble that is too advanced, they may become overwhelmed and frustrated, and their experience at MYS will likely suffer.
    Our hope is that each family adheres to these guideline so that their child receives the most appropriate placement.
  • Students have 3 days to listen, practice, record, and submit their excerpts. Excerpts are due by 11:59 PM of the scheduled due date.
    
    Note: The “Video 1) Scales and Solo Repertoire” does not have to be submitted prior to completing the Scheduled Excerpts Video. An ensemble placement, however, will not be made until both videos are submitted
    

Custom dates for Scheduled Excerpts may be requested via the registration form. A member of the MYS Staff will reach out to you to schedule a date and time for your student to complete their audition.

Contact programs@playmys.org if you have any questions.

Important Dates & Information

SPRING TERM DATES

• February 9-11, 2024 – Spring “Scheduled Excerpts” Dates for Video Auditions
• February 10, 2024 – Live Auditions for Spring Term Dr. King Elementary School
• February 11, 2024 – Video auditions DUE for guaranteed placement in Spring Term.
• March 1, 2024 – Winter Tuition Due
• March 2, 2024 – Winter Term BEGINS

IMPORTANT DATES

• September 1, 2023 – Tuition DUE
• September 9, 2023 – Fall Term BEGINS

• December 1, 2023 – Winter Tuition DUE for new students
• December 2, 2023 – Winter Term BEGINS

• March 1, 2024 – Spring Tuition DUE for new students
• March 2, 2024 – Spring Term BEGINS

Pitched Instruments (brass, woodwinds, piano, bass, etc):

1. Scales – record or prepare 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 or prepare 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.

• “C Jam Blues” (record 1 chorus melody + 1 chorus solo + 1 chorus melody)
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrEcT2Q51lw
  • “C Jam Blues” (B-flat, E-flat, & Piano PDFs)
• “All Blues” (record 1 chorus melody + 1 chorus solo + 1 chorus melody)
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb3iCpu-JFs
  • “All Blues” (B-flat, E-flat, & Piano PDFs)
• “Straight No Chaser” (record melody only, 1x)
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJs2eCqhTN0
  • “Straight No Chaser” (B-flat, E-flat, & Piano PDFs)
• “Blue Bossa” (record melody only, 1x)
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7eOs5lERww
  • “Blue Bossa” (B-flat, E-flat, & Piano PDFs)

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.