Audition Requirements

Audition Requirements for Strings Chamber Music: 2022-23

Application Window: December 1, 2021-Jan. 20, 2022

In Person Auditions:

Feb. 26-March12, 2022 (specific times TBA)

Results-March 28, 2022

All students, in and out-of-district must apply through BACKPACK.

Out of district and home school students are welcome and encouraged to apply. You also must create a Backpack account through the Greenville Public Schools and apply through Backpack.

https://fineartscenter.net/page.asp?titleid=resources

https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/ (Greenville County School district)

https://parents.gcsbackpack.com/signin.aspx. (Greenville public schools, Backpack parent account)

https://gcsbackpack.com/signin.aspx (Greenville public schools, student Backpack account)

Audition Requirements:

Students will submit a Pre-screen video via a Google Form emailed to each student by Jennifer John. The Google Form will be sent to applicants at the close of applications. See Below for Pre-screen requirements.

Pre-screening and audition information will be coming soon.

Prescreening repertoire:

• A three octave scale of your choice. (Bass - two octave)

• One movement of a solo piece, sonata, or concerto.

Finals:

• 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).

• Students will also take a short theory placement exam.

Pre-Screening: Tips:

• Make sure you say your name and instrument clearly into the video and say the name of the pieces that you will be performing

• Dress Professionally

• Make sure that the background is appropriate and professional

• Face the camera so that the committee can see your bow arm, posture and how you support your instrument.

• Make sure the camera is not above, or below your face

• For violin and viola, stand to make the video and film from the knee-up

• Cellos and basses, in sitting position film from the knee up so that your bow, playing hand and face can be seen in the video.

• When speaking it is helpful to be closer to the camera

• When playing, it is helpful to be further from the camera

• You will show up the best if you record in a well-lit area of a room, with the lighting placed in front of the camera

• Use a good quality microphone if possible

• Check the sound and video quality before you send in the video

• Please do not upload more than one video

• Record in a quiet place.

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

What types of pieces should I perform? (examples only)

Violin: Suzuki, Book 4 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 4 and higher, Barber, Solos for Young Violists, Book 3 and up, Telemann, Concerto, Hoffmeister, Concerto, Bach, Suites.

Cello: Bach, Suites, Suzuki, Book 4 and up, Vivaldi, Concertos, Bruch, KolNidre, Popper, Hungarian Rhapsody, Saint Saens, Concerto

Bass: Vivaldi, Sonatas, Cupuzzi, Concerto, Koussevitzky, Concerto, Saint Saens, "The Elephant and Tortoises."