National Youth Orchestra of Wales Auditions Strings Audition Pack

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Percival Richardson
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1 National Youth Orchestra of Wales Auditions 2017 Strings Audition Pack Contents: String Audition Requirements Set Orchestral Excerpts (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) Example Marksheet

2 STRING AUDITIONS Guidelines for Audition Preparation N.B. ALL AUDITIONS ARE UNACCOMPANIED Each audition will be around 20 minutes in duration and will include the elements set out below: 1. Pieces All candidates should prepare two contrasting pieces of Grade 8 standard or above, at least one of which would preferably be from the 20th century repertoire. Contrasting movements from the same work are not acceptable. You must bring a copy of your pieces with you for the audition panel. The panel won t necessarily have time to hear the pieces in full and so may ask for sections only please do not take this as a reflection of your playing! NB - Take care in choosing your pieces it is better to offer a piece that you can play well and confidently rather than a more difficult piece in the hope of impressing the panel. 2. Scales and arpeggios - to be played from memory Unless otherwise stated below you should prepare all scales, arpeggios (Dim / Dom 7ths etc) as required by the Associated Board Syllabus, up to and including Grade 8. A selection will be made at audition. Violin - Choose two notes between G and D inclusive and prepare all major and minor scales (harmonic and melodic) and arpeggios, Dominant 7th, Diminished 7th and Chromatic scales starting on those notes. All should be played over 3 octaves, and prepared both slurred and with separate bows. Viola - You should prepare scales and arpeggios in the keys of C and D (major and minor) over 3 octaves. Scales should be prepared both slurred (1 octave to a bow) and with separate bows (even notes). Arpeggios to be prepared slurred with three notes to a bow. You will also be asked to play a Chromatic scale starting on C (3 octaves, slurred 1 octave to a bow) and Diminished 7 th exercise starting on C (3 octaves, slurred, 4 notes to a bow). Cello You should prepare scales and arpeggios in the key of A (major and minor) as well as Diminished and Dominant 7 ths starting on A all exercises should be prepared over 3 octaves, octave to a bow and slurred. Double Basses you should prepare scales and arpeggios (including Dominant and Diminished 7 th exercises) in major and minor keys between 1 and 4 sharps or flats (ie G Major/E minor to E Major/C# minor and F Major/D minor to Ab Major/ F minor). NB - Although no-one s favourite aspect of playing an instrument, Scales and Arpeggios are nevertheless an important part of music making. If prepared properly and musically they are easy marks at your audition, however they are an equally easy way to drop marks should you neglect to prepare them fully. 3. Sight reading You will be asked to play 2 short pieces of sight reading. 4. Prepared orchestral excerpts Included within this pack is a selection of orchestral extracts that should be prepared fully for your audition. NB - Prepared extracts are an important way of showing the panel that you are able to prepare music in a short space of time, paying attention to dynamic and tempo markings and any other directions that are given in the music. When marks are close, preparation of the excerpts is increasingly the aspect of the audition which determines who should get a place in the Orchestra they are an extremely important part of your audition. 5. Mark Sheet An exemplar mark sheet is included within this pack this shows how much each aspect of the audition contributes to the overall result. You will receive your mark sheet at registration where you will need to print clearly the name of your audition pieces. PLEASE NOTE: IF ON THE DAY OF YOUR AUDITION YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND PLEASE CONTACT

3 NYOW 2017 Auditions - Violin Prepared Extracts (prepare fully prior to audition)

4 NYOW 2017 Auditions - Violin Prepared Extracts (prepare fully priort to audition) Mahler Symphony No.1 - End of 1st Movement

5 NYOW 2017 auditions - Prepare excerpts for Viola (prepare fully pror to audition) FINISH

6 NYOW 2017 Auditions - Viola Prepared Excerpts Prepare fully prior to audition

7 NYOW 2017 Auditions - Viola Prepared Excerpts Prepare fully prior to audtion Weber - Der Freischutz Overture START FINISH

8 NYOW 2017 Auditions - Viola prepared Excerpts (prepare fully prior to audition) START FINISH

9 NYOW 2017 Auditions Cello Excerpt (prepare fully prior to audition) Richard Strass Der Rosenkavalier crotchet = 100 (approx..)

10 NYOW 2017 Auditions Double Bass Orchestral Extract 1 Prepare fully prior to audition

11 Double Bass Orchestra Excerpt 2 prepare fully prior to audition

12 Name: Instrument: Grade: Passport Photo Marks Audition Venue: Total Actual 1 st Piece: Composer: Comments: 20 2 nd Piece: Composer: Comments: 20 Prepared Extracts: 20 Sight Reading: 16

13 Scales & Arpeggios: 8 General Comments: Technique 4 Intonation 4 Sound Production 4 Musicality 4 Total 100 Signed: Date:

Audition Requirements

Southwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra Program Audition Requirements 2016-2017 Auditions by Appointment To reserve an audition time Please contact Todd Betz Education Director/Youth Orchestra Manager