• You may record on a smartphone device - no high tech equipment required.

• Please place your recording device at least 3 feet away from you so that your instrument (and bow if applicable) is fully visible in the video. If using a smartphone, do not place it on your music stand to record. 

• When submitting your recording, please include a PDF or photo of the solo piece (or etude) that you play for your audition if applicable.
  Prelude Strings and Intermezzo Orchestra auditions do NOT require a solo or etude.

There are several ways you can submit your video audition:

1. Upload your video to YouTube. Set privacy settings to “unlisted”. Email the link to your YouTube video to mysp@myspmusic.org. 

2. Upload your video to Google Drive and share it with mysp@myspmusic.org or email the link to mysp@myspmusic.org. Set sharing settings to “anyone with the link can view”.

3. Upload your video to Dropbox and share the link with mysp@myspmusic.org. 

• Please label your file or YouTube video with your full name, instrument, and name of the ensemble you are auditioning for.

YS and RO: Please record your audition in one full take. Do not stop the recording between your solo if applicable, excerpts if applicable, and scales. See below for your audition requirements.

Please record your audition in this order:

1. Solo: 2-minute excerpt of a solo or etude of your choice that you feel demonstrates your playing. Please do not exceed 2 minutes.

2. Excerpts for your instrument found here. 

3. Scales:  
   • Strings: Three octave scales are recommended.
   • Winds/Percussion: Play as many octaves as you are able.
   • All instruments: 1 melodic minor scale of choice + major scales indicated below for your instrument:

   • Violin - D and B

   • Viola - E and Eb

   • Cello - D and B

   • Bass - G and Bb

   • Flute - B and Db

   • Oboe - Gb and D

   • Clarinet - A and Db

   • Bassoon - E and Ab

   • Horn - Db and A

   • Trumpet - Gb and A

   • Trombone - E and Ab

   • Percussion - B and Ab
     

• Sightreading is not required for recorded auditions. Your audition recording is complete after you play your scales. 

A note for string players submitting a video audition:

Make sure the entire face/front of your instrument and your entire bow is visible at all times. This means you should place the camera in such a way that your full instrument and bow is visible. Failing to do this may result in low or absent scores in the categories of bow technique and leadership.

Suggestion: Violin and viola players should first face the camera and then spin about 30 degrees to the left so that the face of the instrument and the sounding point is fully visible in the video.

Suggestion regarding scales: Consider what bow stroke you want to pick for your scales. Please do not just play them 4 inches of bow in the upper half. Pick a legitimate bow stroke and execute it as well as you possibly can. If you aren't sure what to pick, slur 3, 4, 6, or 8 notes to a bow and use the whole bow. You are welcome to pick different bow strokes for different scales.

Make sure the entire face/front of your instrument and your entire bow is visible at all times. This means you should place the camera in such a way that your full instrument and bow is visible.

Please record your audition in this order:

‍ ‍ Violin, Viola, Cello:

1. Scales: Two 3-octave scales of your choice. (If you are already part of the ensemble, please play different scales than you did last year.) Perform your scales with two quarter notes slurred to a bow, tempo = 60 to a quarter note (approximately), with your largest sound, best vibrato, and demonstrating use of the entire bow. 

2. Solo: 1 minute excerpt of a solo of your choice that you feel highlights your strengths.

3. Excerpts for your instrument found here: Must be performed with a metronome at the tempo of your choice. Please consult your teacher regarding what bowings and fingerings would help you sound your best.

4. Sightreading is not required for recorded auditions. Your audition recording is complete after you play your excerpts. 

   Bass

1. Scales: A Major and Ab Major scales in 2 octaves, to be played in your tempo and bowing style of choice. Demonstrate your biggest and best sound. 

2. Solo: prepare and perform a 1-minute solo excerpt, etude, or orchestral excerpt of your choice. Please pick something that highlights your strengths. 

3. Excerpts: must be performed with a metronome at the tempo of your choice. Please consult your teacher regarding what bowings and fingerings would help you sound your best.

4. Sight-reading: is not required for recorded auditions. Your audition recording is complete after you play your excerpts.

   ‍ ‍

Please record your audition in this order:

1. Scales for your instrument:

   • Violin: D major (2 octaves) and F major (1 octave)
   • Viola and Cello: G major (2 octave) and Bb major (1 octave)
   • Double Bass: D major (1 octave) and F major (1 octave) 

2. Excerpts for your instrument found here.

3. Sightreading is not required for recorded auditions. Your audition recording is complete after you play your excerpts. 

Please record your audition in this order:

1. Scales: G major and D major

2. Excerpts for your instrument found here.

3. Sightreading is not required for recorded auditions. Your audition recording is complete after you play your excerpts.

Please record your audition in this order:

1. Scales: F, Bb, and Eb major scales 

2. 2-minute excerpt from a solo or etude of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability and highlights your strengths.

3. Sightreading is not required for recorded auditions. Your audition recording is complete after you play your solo.