2024-2025 Audition Information

MYS Ensemble Guide

Looking for the MYS Ensemble Guide? It outlines our sequence of ensembles. It lists the skills required for each group.

Audition Information

Auditions are now being accepted for all ensembles for the 2024-2025 season.

Who needs to audition for the 2024-2025 Season? Click for information
  • Students enrolling at MYS for the first time
  • Most previously enrolled MYS students *see exception below

*Students enrolled in Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and/or Jazz Ensemble for the 2023-24 Season who wish to continue playing in their respective groups do not need to re-audition if they register by June 16, 2024. These returning students who register after June 16, 2024 may be asked to re-audition.

  • Note: Students in these exempted ensembles who wish to try out for an ensemble that they were not previously placed in, must submit an audition. Contact the MYS office to schedule.

Contact the MYS office if you have questions.

How do I sign up for an audition? Click for information

To sign up for a live or video audition, fill out the online registration form and select the type of audition you’d prefer.

Contact the MYS office if you have questions.

Can I audition for both an Orchestra/Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble? Click for information

Yes. All Woodwind/Brass/Percussion players may audition for Jazz Ensemble, and Wind Ensemble, as well as full Orchestra ensembles.

Jazz Auditions are separate from orchestra/wind ensemble auditions. If you choose to audition for both, schedule two audition times*, or submit two video auditions; one for wind ensemble/orchestra and one for jazz (see requirements below).

*To schedule two audition times on the same day, choose both audition types when registering and select one audition time. Then email production@playmys.org. We will manually add a second audition time for you. If you would like to schedule your second audition on a different day, you can do that directly in the registration form.

Contact the MYS office if you have questions.

How should I prepare for my audition? Click for information

Review the Audition Components for your instrument carefully. Talk with your private teacher about the components of your audition. Ask them for a mock audition.

Practice your scales with a metronome or drum beat. Practicing slowly with a pitch drone is particularly effective.

Choose Solo Repertoire that you know well and have studied carefully for several weeks. You may bring sheet music to the audition, but pieces should feel nearly memorized. Avoid pieces that you just started learning.

Practice sight-reading regularly. Here are some strategies to explore: Scan the piece before you play it. Name all details you see. What is the time signature? Try isolating the rhythm on a single pitch. What is the key signature? Look for accidentals. Try isolating the pitches without rhythm, bowing, tonguing, etc. What articulations and dynamics do you see? What patterns or phrases do you see?

Contact the MYS office if you have questions.

Live Auditions: Click for information

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 two audition times on the same day, choose both audition types when registering and select one audition time. Then email production@playmys.org. We will manually add a second audition time for you. If you would like to schedule your second audition on a different day, you can do that directly in the registration form.

Live auditions include 3 components:

  1. Scales
  2. Solo Repertoire
  3. Sight Reading

Click here to view specific Audition Requirements for strings, winds, percussion, and jazz.

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: Click for information

Tip: check out “Recommendations for a successful audition video” before recording your audition. Smartphone videos are great!

Auditions for Fall term will be accepted through mid-September, contact the MYS office if you have questions. Winter video auditions are due by November 4, 2024 for confirmed placement before the 1st rehearsal of the Winter term. (Auditions will continue to be accepted after this date, and placements will be made on a rolling basis. Contact the MYS office with questions.)

Detailed instructions about the preparation and submission of your audition videos will be sent via email upon completion of the registration form. Contact the MYS office if you do not see this email arrive in your inbox after your registration form is submitted.

Video auditions consist of two recordings:

  • Video No. 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.
  • Video No. 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.
    • Students 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 from others, including 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 may 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 on the third day of their scheduled window.

      Note: “Video No. 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.

Audition Components (Live or Video)

String and Wind Audition Requirements: Click for information

1. Two Scales: play 1 major and 1 minor scale (melodic or harmonic). Students may choose to play 1-octave, 2-octave, or 3-octave scales depending on their skill level.
Note: Entry-level students may play two major scales instead of a major and a minor scale.
Woodwinds and brass will also play a chromatic scale that shows their current range.

2. Solo repertoire: choose two contrasting pieces or contrasting selections from the same work. The pieces should show your highest level of achievement (approximate duration: 2-4 minutes).
Auditions are performed without accompaniment.

These requirements are for placement in orchestra, string, or wind ensembles. Click here for Jazz requirements.

Percussion Audition Requirements: Click for information

A snare drum and xylophone will be provided at the live audition.

1. Two scales on xylophone (optional for entry-level students): 1 major and 1 minor (melodic or harmonic). Students may choose to play 1-octave or 2-octave scales depending on their skill level.

2. Solo repertoire: choose a piece for mallet or snare drum. This can be an etude, solo piece, or a selection from your school’s ensemble. The piece should show your highest level of achievement.

3. Snare drum rudiments: play each of the following slow-fast-slow (without stopping)

  • Orchestral (multiple bounce) Roll
  • Paradiddle
  • Flamtap

MYS Percussionists are expected to bring their own set of sticks to every rehearsal. We recommend students purchase the Vic Firth pack for $109 (at Beacock Music). This includes two sets of snare sticks (SD1 and SD2)

These requirements are for placement in Orchestra, String, or Wind ensembles. Click here for Jazz requirements.

Jazz Audition Requirements: Click for information

Note for all students: You may audition for both jazz and wind/orchestra ensembles. If you would like to audition for both, either schedule two live audition times, or submit a separate video audition for wind/orchestra and jazz.

Winds, Piano, Bass, etc. (Pitched Instruments)

  1. Four Scales: Prepare each of the scales below, up & down 2 octaves, at the fastest tempo you can execute with clarity. Memorization is not required. MYS Jazz Audition Scale Sheet (PDF)
    • 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
  2. Repertoire: Prepare each of the 4 tunes listed below at the fastest tempo you can execute with clarity. Chordal instruments (piano, guitar) should accompany themselves with chords throughout.

Drum Set (Unpitched Instruments)

1. Rhythms: Prepare each of the following rhythms at whatever tempo is most comfortable.

  • 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)

2. Snare Etude: Any rudimental snare etude. Note: For video auditions, attach a pdf of your snare etude. For live auditions, bring a printed copy of your snare etude with you.

Notes from our Jazz Director:

Scales… The three versions of the D-flat scale were chosen for their degree of difficulty and their implications. Meaning, however well a student can play these scales, it’ll indicate how well they can play 90% of the rest of their scales. Even if a student were to only learn these three versions for the purposes of this audition—and has no other scales memorized—they’ll inadvertently set themselves up to play most other scales.

Repertoire…
a) “C Jam Blues” is to evaluate “time feel,” as the melody only has two different notes.
b) “All Blues” also evaluates “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 also to evaluate technical fluency, but with in a different style. 

IMPORTANT DATES

LIVE AUDITIONS

VIDEO AUDITIONS

  • November 1 -3, 2024
    Winter Scheduled Excerpts
  • November 4, 2024
    Winter video auditions DUE for guaranteed placement before the 1st rehearsal of the Winter term.
    (Auditions will be accepted after this date. Placements will be made throughout the season.)

SEASON DATES

  • September 6, 2024
    Tuition DUE
  • September 7, 2024
    Fall Term BEGINS
  • November/December – Winter Term Rehearsals Begin, dates vary.
    • Winter Auditions will be accepted and students may be placed through mid-January.
  • December 6, 2024 – Tution DUE for students starting MYS at the Winter term.