Audition Requirements
2024-25 Season Audition Dates:
Live Auditions are scheduled for May 1st & 8th. We will also have auditions in early to mid-August.
Audition Requirements and Expectations
AUDITION DATES:
Live Auditions are scheduled for May 1st and May 8th.
Auditions will be held on August 14 and 15.
Students interested in scheduling an audition should send an email to executivedirector@youthmusicmonterey.org OR call 831-375-1992.
The YMM Office is located at :
546 Hartnell St., Suite B, Monterey
YMM Rehearsals are at:
Hidden Valley Music Seminars
104 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley
Audition Requirements for Woodwinds & Brass
Junior Youth Orchestra
- Be prepared to play one-octave major scales in the concert keys of G, D, F, & Bb major in quarter notes at 80 mm per quarter note
- Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates your current level of study. This can be school sheet music, an etude, or a solo.
- Demonstrate basic skills through a brief sight-reading passage
Honors Orchestra
- Be prepared to play one-octave major scales in the concert keys of C, G, D, F, Bb, & Eb, in slow eighth notes (quarter note at 80mm), two octaves wherever possible
- Play the chromatic scale that shows your current range on the instrument in quarter notes at 80 mm per quarter or faster
- Demonstrate knowledge of dynamics, phrasing, rhythm, accuracy, and good pitch through the playing of two prepared selections, 1-2 minutes each and of contrasting styles
- Demonstrate good sight-reading skills in a passage of orchestral literature
Audition Requirements for Percussion
Junior Youth Orchestra
-Demonstrate ability to play quarter, 8th, & 16th notes in time, by yourself and with a metronome,on the snare drum between 80-100 mm per quarter.
-Demonstrate basic rudiments such as flams, drags, & double stroke open-roll rudiments
-Demonstrate ability to play a mallet instrument (treble clef) or timpani (bass clef) using school sheet music or a solo/etude piece one minute in length
-Demonstrate sight reading ability and rudiments on the snare and either on mallets or timpani on orchestral passages
Honors Orchestra
-Demonstrate ability to play quarter, 8th, & 16th notes in time, by yourself and with a metronome, on the snare drum, between 80-100 mm per quarter. Demonstrate basic rudiments such as flams, drags, & double stroke open roll rudiments.
-Demonstrate ability to play a mallet instrument (treble clef) or timpani (bass clef) using school sheet music or a solo/etude piece one minute in length.
-Demonstrate sight reading ability and rudiments on the snare drum and either on mallets or timpani on orchestral passages
-All percussion equipment will be provided but you should bring your own drumsticks. Bell & timpani mallets will be provided
Audition Requirements for Strings
Junior Youth Orchestra
JYO First Violin
- Play 2-octave scales in G, D, A, C, & Bb major
Ability to play in 3rd position & playing at the level of Suzuki books 4-5 or equivalent
- Demonstrate a variety of bowing skills on the string as well as a “brush bounce stroke”
- Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study
- Have an understanding and some experience playing vibrato
- Demonstrate sight-reading ability which may include the above-mentioned skills
JYO Second Violin
- Play 2-octave scales in G, A, C, & Bb major
- Able to play in 1st position keys of G, D, C, & F major
- 1 to 1-1/2 years of experience and at the Suzuki level 2-3 or equivalent
- Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study
- Demonstrate sight-reading skills with a variety of simple rhythms in 1st position
JYO Viola
- Play 1-octave scales in C, D, & G major (2 octaves in C major preferred)
- 1 to 1-1/2 years of experience and at the Suzuki level 2-4 or equivalent
- Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study
- Demonstrate basic skills through short sight-reading selection
JYO Cello
- Play scales in 1 or 2 octaves in the key of C, D, G, & A
- Demonstrate ability to play in 1st & 4th position
- Playing for at least 2 years
- Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study
- Demonstrate basic skills through short sight-reading selection
JYO Bass
- 1-octave scales in G, D, C, & F major
- Solo selection which demonstrates intermediate level performance
- Demonstrate basic skills through short sight-reading selection
Audition Requirements for Strings
Honors Orchestra
Honors First Violin
- 3-octave scales & arpeggios in C, G, D, A, E, F, Bb, & Eb major
Fluent in position work & at the level of Suzuki Book 7 or above or equivalent
- Demonstrate mature vibrato
- Play well in tune in a variety of keys and bowing styles, demonstrating high level of musicianship, intonation, phrasing,& dynamic contrasts
- Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study
- Demonstrate the ability to sight read standard orchestra repertoire
Honors Second Violin
- 3-octave scales in C, G, D, A, F, & Bb major
- Fluent in 1st, 3rd, & 5th positions
- Have a developed vibrato
- Demonstrate controlled spiccato and ability to play with a variety of bowing styles
- Play well in tune and demonstrate knowledge of dynamics and varied rhythms
- Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study
- Demonstrate sight reading skills at level of Honors Orchestra
Honors Viola
- 3-octave C major scale, 2 octave scales in D, G, A, f, & Bb major
Demonstrate sight reading skills
- Playing at level of Suzuki book 5 or higher or equivalent
- Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study
Honors Cello
- 2-octave scales in C, D, G, A, F & Bb major
- Demonstrate advanced playing ability, musicianship, intonation, dynamics & phrasing
- Able to play octave harmonic thumb position (8th)
- Demonstrate skill in performing a variety of bowing styles, both on & off the string
- Play a piece under 2 minutes in length which demonstrates current level of study
- Demonstrate sight reading skills at level of Honors Orchestra
Honors Bass
- 2-octave scales in C, G, D, A, F, & Bb major
- Perform 2 short selections of different styles at high school level or higher
- Demonstrate a variety of position work, tempi, dynamic contrasts
- Demonstrate a variety of bowing styles, both on & off the string
- Demonstrate sight reading skills at level of Honors Orchestra