Audition requirements for CCYO

Audition piece

You will be expected to perform two pieces/studies (or sections of) which present a mixture of periods, style, mood and tempo. The pieces/studies should demonstrate a mastery of the complete range of your instrument, clear and accurate articulation, a variety of dynamics and a high standard of musicianship.

The pieces/studies should not exceed a total playing time of 6 minutes. Please bring a photocopy of your music or the piano accompaniment for the use of the audition staff (returned to you after the audition). Please note pieces will be performed without piano accompaniment.

• Strings − The pieces/studies should be of at least grade 6 standard and demonstrate spiccato bowing
• Woodwind − The pieces/studies should be of at least grade 7 standard
• Brass − The pieces/studies should be of at least grade 7 standard
• Percussion − Percussionists will be contacted to arrange a rehearsal-audition
• Harp – Someone will be in touch to make arrangements for an audition

Sight reading

You will be expected to play a prepared sight reading test of one or two short, appropriate orchestral extracts. 15 minutes preparation time will be given before the audition for this. 

Scales and arpeggios

You will be expected to play a selection of scales and arpeggios selected from the lists below. String players will be expected to play all scales with slurred and legato bowing; Woodwind and Brass players will be expected to play slurred, legato-tongued and staccato.

• Quick find: 
  Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
  Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon
  French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba

Violin

• Scales and arpeggios − F# major and minor (2 octaves); Bb major and minor (3 octaves) 
  [Guide tempos − Scales: crotchet = 92, Arpeggios: dotted crotchet = 46]

  Chromatic − starting on C (2 octaves) 
  [Guide tempo − dotted crotchet = 60]

  Dominant/diminished 7ths − Dominant 7th in the key of F (2 octaves); Diminished 7th starting on C (2 octaves) 
  [Guide tempo − crotchet = 69]

  Double stops (broken steps) − Bb major in 6ths 
  [Guide tempo − crotchet = 92]

Viola

• Scales and arpeggios − Ab major and minor (2 octaves); D major and minor (3 octaves) 
  [Guide tempos − Scales: crotchet = 84, Arpeggios: dotted crotchet = 42]

  Chromatic − starting on C# (2 octaves) 
  [Guided tempo − dotted crotchet = 56]

  Dominant/diminished 7ths − Dominant 7th in the key of G (2 octaves); Diminished 7th starting on D (2 octaves) 
  [Guide tempo − crotchet = 63]

  Double stops (broken steps) − Eb major in 6ths 
  [Guide tempo − crotchet = 72]

Cello

• Scales and arpeggios − B major and minor (2 octaves); D major and minor (3 octaves) 
  [Guide tempos − Scales: crotchet = 72, Arpeggios: quaver = 116]

  Chromatic − starting on D (2 octaves) 
  [Guide tempo − dotted crotchet = 48]

  Dominant/diminished 7ths − Dominant 7th in the key of G (2 octaves); Diminished 7th starting on F (2 octaves) 
  [Guide tempo − crotchet = 58]

  Double stops (broken steps) − C major in 6ths 
  [Guide tempo − crotchet = 72]

Double Bass

• Scales and arpeggios − F major and minor (2 octaves); Thumb position D major (1 octave); Broken thirds G major (1 octave) 
  [Guide tempos − Scales: crotchet = 56, Arpeggios: quaver = 104, Broken thirds: crotchet = 56]

  Chromatic − starting on E 
  [Guide tempo − crotchet = 56]

  Dominant/Diminished 7ths − Dominant 7th in the key of A (2 octaves); Diminished 7th starting on G (2 octaves) 
  [Guide tempo − crotchet = 52]

Flute

• Scales and arpeggios − B major, C# minor and Ab major (2 octaves) 
  Chromatic − starting on B (2 octaves) 
  Dominant 7th − in the key of D (2 octaves)

Oboe

• Scales and arpeggios − Ab major (12th); C minor and F major (2 octaves) 
  Chromatic − starting on E (2 octaves) 
  Dominant 7th − in the key of A (2 octaves)

Clarinet

• Scales and arpeggios −  A major and F minor (3 octaves); Db major (2 octaves) 
  Chromatic − starting on F (3 octaves) 
  Dominant 7th − in the key of Eb (2 octaves)

Bassoon

• Scales and arpeggios −  C minor (3 octaves); A major (2 octaves) 
  Chromatic − starting on Bb (3 octaves) 
  Dominant 7th − in the key of D (2 octaves)

French Horn

• Scales and arpeggios − A major and B minor (2 octaves) 
  Whole tone − starting on A (2 octaves) 
  Dominant 7th − in the key of E (2 octaves)

Trumpet

• Scales and arpeggios − B major and Bb minor (2 octaves) 
  Chromatic − starting on G (2 octaves) 
  Dominant 7th − in the key of E (2 octaves)

Trombone

• Scales and arpeggios − A major and Bb minor (2 octaves) 
  Whole tone − starting on Ab (2 octaves) 
  Dominant 7th − in the key of D (2 octaves)

Tuba

• Scales and arpeggios − D major and C# minor (2 octaves) 
  Whole tone − starting on Db (2 octaves) 
  Dominant 7th − in the key of G (2 octaves)