Orchestra Audition Requirements

This ensemble is meant for beginner students.

The students should have at least 1 year of prior instrumental experience. There are no audition requirements for Reading Orchestra. If you have additional questions, please call the office.

If your child has studied privately for several years, you may prefer to go through the audition process for higher placement.

Register for the 2026-2027 season here.

> Required Orchestral Excerpts for Cadet Orchestra (2026-2027 season)

• 2 Prepared pieces of your choosing. These two pieces can include etudes or solos. One should demonstrate the student's technical level and the other musical and tonal abilities.

  • Approximate technical level of Suzuki Books 2-3

• Scales (quarter note ~ 90-120 bpm):

  • Strings: C, G and D Major scales - 2 octaves

  • Winds/Brass/Percussion: C, F Major scales - 1 octave - all concert pitch

>Required Orchestral Excerpts for Concertino Orchestra (2026-2027 season; please note these are the same excerpts as last year)

• 2 Prepared pieces of your choosing. These two pieces can include etudes or solos. One should demonstrate the student's technical level and the other musical and tonal abilities.

  • Approximate technical level of Suzuki Books 3-4

• Scales (quarter note ~90-120 bpm):

  • Strings: C, G and D Major scales - two octaves

  • Winds and Percussion: C, F, Bb, G, D Major scales - 1-2 octaves, depending on instrument, all at concert pitch; chromatic scale

  • Brass: C, F, Bb, G, D Major scales - 1 octave

> Required Orchestral Excerpts for Philharmonia Orchestra (2026-2027 season)

*Please note that this is the highest level orchestra available to incoming 6th graders or younger students. Additionally, the required excerpts for Philharmonia and Concert Orchestra are the same. Students successfully auditioning into Concert Orchestra will be expected to play the excerpts at a higher level in terms of tempo, intonation, phrasing, appropriate use of vibrato, etc.

• 2 Prepared pieces of your choosing. These two pieces can include etudes or solos. One should demonstrate the student's technical level and the other musical and tonal abilities.

  • Approximate technical level of Suzuki Books 4-6

• Scales (quarter note ~90-120 bpm):

  • Violin, Viola, and Cellos: C and G Major scales - 3 octaves; D and F Major scales - 2 octaves

  • Bass: G, F, E Major scales - 2 octave -

  • Winds, Brass, and Percussion Instruments: C, G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Major scales - 2 octaves (Flutes - prefer 3 octave C Major scale); chromatic scale

  • Percussionists should use the following guidelines to prepare for their auditions:
    Snare: Demonstrate rudiments and rolls at various dynamics. One solo or etude from Peters, Cirone, Delecluse, Goldenberg, or equivalent
    Marimba: All major and minor (high school students only) scales for two mallets, two octaves · One movement or solo piece/etude from Peters, Abe, Bach (Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin), Creston, Musser, Rosauro, etc… One movement or solo piece demonstrating four mallets (high school students only)
    Timpani: Rolls and general strokes at various dynamics; basic knowledge of intervals and tuning. One short solo or etude; 3-4 timpani preferred (Goodman, Vic Firth, Peters, Delecluse, Schinstine, etc…)

>Required Orchestral Excerpts for Concert Orchestra (2026-2027)

*Please note that incoming students must be at least in the 7th grade. Additionally, excerpts for Philharmonia and Concert Orchestra are the same. Students successfully auditioning into Concert Orchestra will be expected to play the excerpts at a higher level in terms of tempo, intonation, phrasing, appropriate use of vibrato, etc.

• 2 Prepared pieces of your choosing. These two pieces can include etudes or solos. One should demonstrate the student's technical level and the other musical and tonal abilities. The chosen works should be complete movements/works, NOT shortened excerpts.

  • Approximate technical level of Suzuki Brooks 6-8

• Scales (quarter note ~90-120 bpm):

  • Violin: G, Ab, A, Bb, B, C, Db, D Major scales - 3 octaves; Eb, E, F, Gb Major scales - 2 octaves

  • Viola and Cello: C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, Gb, G - 3 octaves; Ab, A, Bb, B - 2 octaves

  • Bass: Major Scales: G, F, E Major - 3 octaves; A, Bb, C, D Major scales - 2 octaves

  • Winds, Brass, and Percussion Instruments: All Major scales - 2 octaves (Flutes - 3 octave C Major scale); chromatic scale - all at concert pitch

  • Percussionists should use the following guidelines to prepare for their auditions:
    Snare: Demonstrate rudiments and rolls at various dynamics. One solo or etude from Peters, Cirone, Delecluse, Goldenberg, or equivalent.
    Marimba: All major and minor (high school students only) scales for two mallets, two octaves. One movement or solo piece/etude from Peters, Abe, Bach (Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin), Creston, Musser, Rosauro, etc…One movement or solo piece demonstrating four mallets (high school students only)
    Timpani: Rolls and general strokes at various dynamics; basic knowledge of intervals and tuning. One short solo or etude; 3-4 timpani preferred (Goodman, Vic Firth, Peters, Delecluse, Schinstine, etc…)

> Required Orchestral Excerpts for Symphony Orchestra (2026-2027)

*Please note that Symphony Orchestra is only available to incoming 10th graders or older, or incoming 9th graders who have already performed in Concert Orchestra.

• 2 Prepared pieces of your choosing. These two pieces can include etudes or solos. One should demonstrate the student's technical level and the other musical and tonal abilities. The chosen works should be complete movements/works, NOT shortened excerpts. Students auditioning for Symphony Orchestra generally are performing major concertos.

  • Approximate technical level of a major concerto - one piece must be a full movement of a major concerto

• Scales (quarter note ~90-120 bpm):

  • Violins, Violas, & Cellos: All Major scales - 3 octaves

  • Bass: Major Scales: G, F, E Major - 3 octaves; A, Bb, C, D Major scales - 2 octaves

  • Winds, Brass, and Percussion Instruments: All Major Scales - 2 octaves (Flutes -3 octave C Major scale) all at concert pitch; chromatic scale

  • Percussionists should use the following guidelines to prepare for their auditions:
    Snare: Demonstrate rudiments and rolls at various dynamics. One solo or etude from Peters, Cirone, Delecluse, Goldenberg, or equivalent
    Marimba: All major and minor (high school students only) scales for two mallets, two octaves. One movement or solo piece/etude from Peters, Abe, Bach (Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin), Creston, Musser, Rosauro, etc…One movement or solo piece demonstrating four mallets (high school students only)
    Timpani: Rolls and general strokes at various dynamics; basic knowledge of intervals and tuning. One short solo or etude; 3-4 timpani preferred (Goodman, Vic Firth, Peters, Delecluse, Schinstine, etc…)