Audition -Winds & Brass
SELECTING AND PREPARING FOR YOUR AUDITION.
1. Excerpts
Select and prepare for the most advanced orchestra whose excerpts you can play well. Below is a description of each ensemble/orchestra and excerpt packets for your instrument.
Play only the first two excerpts if you aren’t interested in being considered for a principal chair.
Play the third excerpt if you would like to be considered for a principal position (expect for Symphony Orchestra students, all wind and brass players for Symphony are considered for principal positions).
2. Scale(s)
Horizons Winds or Brass Ensemble, prepare one or two octaves of any major scale up to 2 sharps/2 flats
Repertory Orchestra, prepare one, two, or three octaves of any major scale up to 3 sharps/3 flats
Symphony Orchestra, prepare two or three octaves of any major scale up to 3 sharps/3 flats
Scales should be performed in the following rhythm, or in an equivalent style and tempo:
At the audition, students are given a musical passage to sight read. You will get a short, specified amount of time to look at it. Check the key signature, time signature, markings, and scan the passage for any trouble spots before performing it.
So which orchestra is right for me?
Students should select the orchestra that seems like the best fit. In most cases, your school or private teacher can help you choose. You should audition for the most advanced orchestra whose excerpts you can play well. In some cases, we will place a student in a different ensemble than they auditioned.
Horizons Woodwinds & Horizons Brass Ensembles
Horizons Winds and Brass Ensembles are LYO’s ensembles for growing woodwind and brass students. The Horizons program was developed to help prepare students for the eventual playing demands of Repertory and Symphony Orchestra. Many students in Horizons have only been playing a few years. Horizons students range in ages and are committed to advancing in their musical journey. Horizons Wind and Brass Ensembles rehearse on Sunday afternoons at Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS).
Download the Horizons Winds and Brass Ensembles placement excerpts below.
- Horizons Winds flute excerpts
- Horizons Winds oboe excerpts
- Horizons Winds clarinet excerpts
- Horizons Winds bassoon excerpts
- Horizons Winds saxophone excerpts
- Horizons Brass trumpet excerpts
- Horizons Brass horn excerpts
- Horizons Brass trombone excerpts
- Horizons Brass tuba excerpts
- Horizons Brass Euphonium excerpts
All students must play excerpts #1 and #2. If you want to be considered for a principal chair position, you must also play #3.
Don’t forget, Horizons students must also prepare one or two octaves of any major scale up to 2 sharps/2 flats AND play a short sight reading exercise.
Repertory Orchestra and Concert Winds
Repertory Orchestra is LYO’s intermediate symphonic orchestra. This a wind or brass student’s first opportunity to play alongside string and percussion students. Most students in Repertory have been playing for several years and are typically young high school students. Advanced middle school students are often placed in Repertory as well.
Concert Winds is LYO’s intermediate woodwind and brass chamber ensemble. This ensemble creates more playing opportunities for woodwind and brass students who are advancing towards more advanced ensembles.
Repertory Orchestra and Concert Winds rehearses on Sunday afternoons at Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS).
Download the audition excerpts below.
- Repertory Winds flute excerpts
- Repertory Winds oboe excerpts
- Repertory Winds clarinet excerpts
- Repertory Winds bassoon excerpts
- Repertory Winds saxophone excerpts
- Repertory Brass trumpet excerpts
- Repertory Brass horn excerpts
- Repertory Brass trombone excerpts
- Repertory Brass tuba excerpts
- Repertory Brass euphonium excerpts
All students must play excerpts #3 and #4. If you want to be considered for a principal chair position, you must also play #5.
Don’t forget, Repertory and Concert Winds students must also prepare one, two, or three octaves of any major scale up to 3 sharps/3 flats AND play a short sight reading exercise.
Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Symphony Orchestra is LYO’s flagship symphonic orchestra. LYO’s most advanced students are placed in Symphony. Students are typically high school students.
Symphonic Wind Ensemble is LYO’s most advanced full woodwind and brass ensemble. This chamber ensemble highlights advanced wind students, giving them increased opportunities to perform and develop toward mastery.
Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble rehearse on Sunday afternoons at Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS).
Download the audition excerpts below.
- Symphony Winds flute excerpts
- Symphony Winds oboe excerpts
- Symphony Winds clarinet excerpts
- Symphony Winds bassoon excerpts
- Symphony Winds saxophone excerpts
- Symphony Brass trumpet excerpts
- Symphony Brass horn excerpts
- Symphony Brass trombone excerpts
- Symphony Brass tuba excerpts
- Symphony Brass euphonium excerpts
All students must play excerpts #5 and #6. All students are considered for principal positions.
Don’t forget, Symphony students must also prepare two or three octaves of any major scale up to 3 sharps/3 flats AND play a short sight reading exercise.
