Audition Information
Will Rawlinson, Example preliminary recording, 2021Audition Information for Strings Chamber Music: 2024-25
Audition Procedures:
Please only apply to the Fine Arts Center if you can commit to following the application and audition instructions, checking your email and your Backpack account regularly, and showing up to your audition time if you are offered an audition.
In order to receive an audition with us, you must be a student in good standing at your school. We will look at your discipline record and grades to ensure that you will be a successful student in the rigorous, independent learning environment of the FAC.
*Students who will not be attending a GCS High School next year - Charter School, Home School, Private School, Virtual School:
Charter school students within a district that has chosen to partner with Greenville County Schools, private school students and home school students are eligible to participate in assigned FAC programs on a space available basis with regularly enrolled in-district students having priority. Students who attend/are planning to attend a non-GCS High School may audition; however, priority for admittance will be given to students who attend/are planning to attend a GCS High School. GCS students will be granted admission first, and if there are remaining spots in the program, they will be offered to non-GCS students based on their audition score.
Charter school students within a charter district that has not chosen to partner with Greenville County Schools will not be allowed to attend the FAC.
You are responsible for confirming that your class schedule will not conflict with the FAC schedule. We will not allow students to leave FAC early or arrive at the FAC late due to your school's class schedule. Please ensure that there are no conflicts before applying to the FAC.
Weekend Audition/Portfolio Workshops:
TBA
Audition Deadlines for Applications:
TBA Applications for new and returning students go live via Backpack
TBA, Final deadline for new applications
In Person Auditions-at the Fine Arts Center
Audition Day #1, March 1, 2025
Audition Day #2, March 8, 2025
Results will be released to all applicants via BACKPACK-TBA
Specific audition times will be determined after the application has been received
Possible make up times will be determined on a case by case basis
Links to websites:
What is the audition committee listening for?
1. Beautiful tone - the player has a mature sound for their age.
2. Rhythm - high degree of accuracy, little or no errors
3. Intonation - strong sense of pitch, accurate notes that are in-tune or close to in-tune
4. Articulation - student performs all articulations with mature style and accuracy
5. Direction of the music - student performs expressively, playing with dynamics and phrasing
Audition Requirements: (In person auditions only)
Two contrasting movements from a solo piece, sonata, or concerto. (Movements performed do not need to be from the same piece)
A three-octave major and minor scale. (two octave scales for bassists).
Sight reading
Suggested Audition Repertoire:
Please do not perform orchestra music -- only pieces from solo repertoire.
NOTE: The following pieces are only suggestions. Perform what you are most comfortable playing, even if you have contrasting pieces from books one, or two material. Please consult a private teacher, or Jennifer John if you have questions. jjohn@greenvilleschools.us.
Violin: Suzuki, Book 3 and higher. Barber, Book 3 and up. Vivaldi and Bach, concertos, Bach, Six Sonatas and Partitas, Mozart Concertos, Kabalevsky, Concerto, in C. Bruch Concerto, Lalo, Symphonie, Espagnole.
Viola: Suzuki, Book 3 and higher, Barber, Solos for Young Violists, Book 3 and up, Telemann, Concerto, Hoffmeister, Concerto, Bach, Suites.
Cello: Bach, Suites, Suzuki, Book 3 and up, Vivaldi, Concertos, Bruch, Kol Nidre, Popper, Hungarian Rhapsody, Saint Saens, Concerto
Bass: Vivaldi, Sonatas, Cupuzzi, Concerto, Koussevitzky, Concerto, Saint Saens, "The Elephant and Tortoises."