Orchestra Audition Requirements
The first round of orchestra auditions for the 2025-2026 season concluded in May. There are openings for some instruments in all ensembles. Click here to register for an audition and MYAC will contact you regarding open positions.
READING ORCHESTRA
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.
CADET ORCHESTRA
> Required Orchestral Excerpts for Cadet Orchestra for 2025-2026 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
Percussionists applying for MYAC Orchestra and Chamber Music Programs 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…)
CONCERTINO ORCHESTRA
> Required Orchestral Excerpts for Concertino Orchestra for 2025-2026 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 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
Percussionists applying for MYAC Orchestra and Chamber Music Programs 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…)
PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA
> Required Orchestral Excerpts for Philharmonia Orchestra for 2025-2026 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 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 - all at concert pitch
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 applying for MYAC Orchestra and Chamber Music Programs 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…)
CONCERT ORCHESTRA
> Required Orchestral Excerpt for Concert Orchestra for 2025-2026 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. 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, Viola, and Cello: G, Ab, A, Bb, B, C, Db, D Major scales - 3 octaves; Eb, E, F, Gb Major scales - 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 applying for MYAC Orchestra and Chamber Music Programs 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…)
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
> Required Orchestral Excerpt(s) for Symphony Orchestra for 2025-2026 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. 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):
String Instruments: All Major scales - 3 octaves
Winds, Brass, and Percussion Instruments: All Major Scales - 2 octaves (Flutes -3 octave C Major scale) all at concert pitch; chromatic scale
Percussionists applying for MYAC Orchestra and Chamber Music Programs 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…)