Audition Information
Will Rawlinson, Example preliminary recording, 2021Fine Arts Center – Strings Chamber Music
Audition Information 2026-27
Audition Procedures
Please only apply to the Fine Arts Center if you can commit to the following:
Following all application and audition instructions carefully.
Checking your email and Backpack account regularly.
Attending your audition at the assigned time if you are offered one.
In order to receive an audition, students must be in good standing at their current school. Discipline records and academic grades will be reviewed to ensure students are prepared for the rigorous, independent learning environment at the FAC.
Eligibility
Students not attending a GCS High School (Charter, Home, Private, or Virtual School):
Charter school students within a partner district, private school students, and home school students are eligible to audition on a space-available basis, with priority given to regularly enrolled Greenville County Schools (GCS) students.
Students attending a non-partner charter district are not eligible to attend the FAC.
GCS students will be admitted first; if space remains, non-GCS students will be considered based on their audition scores.
Please ensure that your class schedule will not conflict with FAC class times. Students may not arrive late or leave early due to their home school schedule. Confirm that there are no conflicts before applying.
Audition Deadlines & Application
Please refer to the following link for applications, audition sign-ups, and deadlines:
🔗 Apply on Acceptd
Specific audition times will be determined once applications are received.
Possible make-up times may be arranged on a case-by-case basis.
FAC Application Opens - Thursday, October 1, 2026
Audition Workshop - Saturday, November 21, 2026
Application Workshop - Help with the Acceptd Application
Tuesday, October 13 - 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 15 - 6:00-7:00 p.m.
January 5-15, 2027 - Window for current FAC students to declare intentions for SY 27-28
January 28, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. (Thursday) - Final deadline for new applications.
The only exceptions to this deadline are for families that move into Greenville County.
Notification of Audition Dates and Times - Students who are offered an audition will be notified by February 11. Notifications will be communicated via the Acceptd program.
February 27 and March 6 - Whole School Audition Days
March 15 - Notification of results via Acceptd
April 2 - Deadline for students to accept their offer to the FAC
Helpful Links
Fine Arts Center Website, fineartscenter.net
Greenville County Schools, https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us
What Is the Audition Committee Listening For?
Our audition committee evaluates several key elements of musicianship. We seek students who demonstrate:
Beautiful Tone – A mature, expressive sound appropriate for the student’s level.
Rhythm – A high level of rhythmic accuracy and consistency.
Intonation – Secure, in-tune playing throughout all registers.
Articulation – Precision and stylistic awareness.
Direction of the Music – Expressive phrasing and dynamic contrast.
FAC Strings Chamber Music Audition Information
Pre-Screening Requirements
Students applying to the Fine Arts Center Strings Chamber Music program will submit one continuous, unedited video that includes the following:
8th Grade Applicants
One three-octave major scale of the student's choice, quarter note = 60, and one solo piece approximately two minutes in length. No orchestral excerpts.
9th Grade and Higher Applicants
One three-octave major scale and one three-octave melodic minor scale, quarter note = 60
(Two-octave scales for bassists.)One solo piece, approximately two minutes in length, of the student's choice
No orchestral excerpts
Video Guidelines
Students should:
State their name, grade, and instrument into the camera at the beginning of the video.
Use a stationary camera and position themselves so that the full bow and left hand are clearly visible.
Record in a quiet location without interruptions.
Have the light source behind the camera, illuminating the student and instrument.
Submit one continuous, unedited recording of the scale(s) and solo.
Use no filters, audio effects, or other enhancements.
The video does not need to be professionally produced. The goal is simply to clearly hear and see the student's playing.
In-Person Audition
Students invited to the in-person audition will prepare:
Two contrasting movements from a solo piece, sonata, or concerto. The movements do not need to be from the same piece.
A three-octave major and minor scale
(Two-octave scales for bassists.)Sight-reading
In-Person Audition
Two contrasting movements
Major and minor scale
Sight-reading
Suggested Audition Repertoire
Please do not perform orchestra music. Audition repertoire should come from solo repertoire.
The following pieces are suggestions only. Students should perform music they are most comfortable playing, even if their repertoire is from earlier or later books than those listed below.
Please consult your private teacher or Jennifer John if you have questions about appropriate repertoire.
Jennifer John
jjohn@greenvilleschools.us
Violin
Suzuki, Book 3 and higher
Barber, Book 3 and higher
Vivaldi and Bach concertos
Bach, Six Sonatas and Partitas
Mozart concertos
Kabalevsky, Concerto in C
Bruch, Violin Concerto
Lalo, Symphonie Espagnole
Viola
Suzuki, Book 3 and higher
Barber, Solos for Young Violists, Book 3 and higher
Telemann, Viola Concerto
Hoffmeister, Viola Concerto
Bach, Cello Suites arranged for viola
Cello
Bach, Cello Suites
Suzuki, Book 3 and higher
Vivaldi concertos
Bruch, Kol Nidre
Popper, Hungarian Rhapsody
Saint-Saëns, Cello Concerto
Bass
Vivaldi, Sonatas
Capuzzi, Concerto
Koussevitzky, Concerto
Saint-Saëns, The Elephant and the Tortoise
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