Audition Requirements

Please view an example of an audition. This is a shortened version.
Audition Requirements for Strings Chamber Music:
Audition Requirements for Strings Chamber Music: 2022-23
Application Window: December 1 - January 27: Application is open through BACKPACK. All students, in and out of district, must apply through BACKPACK. A separate application must be filled out for each art discipline applied for.
In Person Auditions-March 4 at the Fine Arts Center. Times to be determined after the application has been received.
Possible make up times will be determined on a case by case basis.
Results will be released to all applicants via BACKPACK on March 27, 2023
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:
No Pre-screenings requirements.
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
What types of pieces should I perform?
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.
Please do not perform orchestra music. Only pieces chosen from the solo repertoire.
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, Kol Nidre, Popper, Hungarian Rhapsody, Saint Saens, Concerto
Bass: Vivaldi, Sonatas, Cupuzzi, Concerto, Koussevitzky, Concerto, Saint Saens, "The Elephant and Tortoises."
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