Open Auditions Information

Open Audition Information For Symphony and Baroque

2019-2020 DHS Symphony and Baroque Auditions

Please note: 2019-20 Open Auditions have passed. If you are new to the area and wish to audition, please contact Mr. Moreno at amoreno@djusd.net.

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General information about auditioning for the DHS Symphony Orchestra and the DHS Baroque Ensemble.

Click here to view and/or download the PDF with the following information.

Auditions for the 2019-20 DHS Symphony Orchestra and Baroque Ensemble

All DHS Orchestra Auditions will be held at Davis High School in the Music Building room PA-3 from February 25th - March 1st. Check your school music room for the DHS Orchestras Open Audition sign-up sheets starting in January. Auditions are for all incoming 10th grade students, 11th grade students, and all 12th grade students not currently in the Symphony or Baroque Ensemble.

Sign-up Deadline is Friday, February 8th, 2019

Contact Mr. Moreno if you have any questions or need a sign-up extension at amoreno@djusd.net.The final audition schedule will be posted Tuesday, February 21st, which will include your individual audition day and time. Your requested times may change to fit the final schedule, so make sure and check the schedule carefully. If you have a major conflict with your scheduled time email Mr. Moreno ASAP to work it out.

Audition Dates and Times by Instrument:

  • Violins:
    • Monday, February 25th, 3:50PM - 8:00PM
    • Tuesday, February 26th, 3:50PM - 8:00PM
  • Violas:
    • Thursday, February 28th, 3:40PM - 6:00PM
  • Cellos/Basses:
    • Friday, March 1st, 3:50PM - 6:30PM

Keyboard Players Auditioning for a Harpsichord position in the Baroque Ensemble: Contact Mr. Moreno directly at amoreno@djusd.net to set an audition time. If you are a string player who also plays keyboard and would like to audition for harpsichord sign up for two time slots back to back.

Please Note: All Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion students who are interested in auditioning for the DHS Symphony Orchestra see audition requirements online at: dhsbandboosters.com. Information will be posted soon. All Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion students interested in participating in the DHS Symphony Orchestra must be members of the DHS Symphonic Band.


If none of these audition times work for your schedule and you need assistance contact Mr. Moreno at amoreno@djusd.net

Description of The Davis High School Symphony Orchestra:

The Davis High Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Angelo Moreno, is an advanced full symphony orchestra including strings, winds, brass and percussion. The group will study and perform music for symphony orchestra from the classical to modern eras. In recent years, the Symphony Orchestra has performed Beethoven’s Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, Dvorak’s Eighth and Ninth Symphonies and Elgar’s Nimrod, amongst many other pieces of music from Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Schubert, Schumann, Haydn, Brahms and many other composers.

Description of The Davis High School Baroque Ensemble:

The Davis High Baroque Ensemble, under the direction of Angelo Moreno is a unique string orchestra which includes the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, bass, and Key Board players who are interested in learning to play the Harpsichord. Students will perform on Baroque instruments, which include string instruments converted to Baroque style with gut strings and Baroque style bows. The group will study and perform music from the Baroque Era, including composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, Corelli, Telemann, and Handel.

Recommended Level of Ability:

It is recommended that all players have previous ensemble and or performance experience and be well advanced in the command of their instrument. Confidence in sight-reading and advanced control of intonation and tone quality is expected.

Audition Requirements:

  • Strings – Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass:
    • 3 octaves of any major scale in quarter notes, at a tempo of 144 (Basses 2 octaves)
    • 3 octaves of any melodic minor scale in quarter notes at a tempo of 120 (Basses 2 octaves)
    • 3-4 minute excerpt of an unaccompanied solo (skip over long rests) that demonstrates your ability.
  • Key Board Players Auditioning for Harpsichord:
    • 3 octaves of any major scale in two hands- in quarter notes, at a tempo of 144
    • 3 octaves of any melodic minor scale in two hands- in quarter notes at a tempo of 120
    • 3-4 minute excerpt of an unaccompanied solo (skip over long rests) that demonstrates your ability.

Note: All players will be asked to sight read

Note: All instruments- when deciding on solo literature consult your private instructor or school music teacher.

***REQUIRED***

Please provide a copy of your solo music the day of your audition for the adjudicator

Contact Mr. Moreno if you have any questions at (530) 400-7614 (cell) or by email at amoreno@djusd.net.