Audition Requirements listed below for all instruments
PYPO requires auditions for Prelude and Philharmonic levels. Overture Strings and Band do not require an audition for entrance, but may ask students to submit a video for purposes of knowing the level of the student, or for seating.
The audition process for Prelude and Philharmonic is important to ensure that every student is placed in the appropriate level ensemble so they are working with other musicians that are of a similar level. The different level of the ensembles are intended to help each student grow at his or her own pace as a player and musician. Students will be recommended by the adjudication panel and Music Director for the ensemble that will best challenge each student.
Each level of ensemble also holds seating auditions various times throughout the season.
Audition requirements for each ensemble and instrument are listed below, as are links to register for auditions.
Click on the Tabs to the left under each level to see the requirements for each instrument family.
No auditions are required for admission to Overture Band or Overture Strings.
Select the instrument family from the left to view the Prelude Audition Requirements for your instrument.
Prelude Auditions consist of scales, solos and sight reading (please check the tabs for specific requirements for each instrument). For the 2022-2023 Season, Prelude and Philharmonic Auditions will be held in person. Each student must sign up for a 10 minute slot on one of our Spring auditions to be considered for entrance into that ensemble.
2023-2024 Prelude Auditions – Sunday, May 7 and Saturday, May 13, 2023
Prelude Rehearsals begin mid-October, 2023
Fall Auditions – September 30, 2023 – to fill open slots only
Midseason auditions – January 20, 2024
Audition Fee: $25
To register for a String Instrument Audition, please click on the link below:
Prelude Strings Audition Requirements
Violin 1:
- 2 or 3 octave scales (memorized): C Major, G Major, D Major, A Major, F Major, B-flat Major and E-flat Major, (during the audition, several scales will be requested from this list)
- required solo: Fantasia (The Boy Paganini) by Mollenhauer (first 40 measures only)
- one solo of choice (from Suzuki Book 4 or equivalent that demonstrates students are comfortable shifting and playing in higher positions)
Violin 2:
- 2 octave scales (memorized): C Major, G Major, D Major, A Major, F Major, B-flat Major and E-flat Major, (during the audition, several scales will be requested from this list)
- required solo: Humoresque by Dvorak (with shifting- this piece is available in Suzuki book 3),
- one solo of choice (from at least Suzuki Book 3 or equivalent)
Viola:
- 2 or 3 octave scales (memorized): C Major, G Major, D Major, A Major, F Major, B-flat Major and E-flat Major, (during the audition, several scales will be requested from this list)
- Humoresque by Dvorak (with shifting- this piece is available in Suzuki book 3),
- one solo of choice (from at least Suzuki Book 3 or equivalent)
Cello:
- 2 or 3 octave scales (memorized): C Major, G Major, D Major, A Major, F Major, B-flat Major and E-flat Major, (during the audition, several scales will be requested from this list)
- required solo: La Cinquantaine
- one solo of choice (from at least Suzuki Book 3 or equivalent)
Bass:
- 1 octave scales (memorized): C Major, G Major, D Major, A Major, F Major, B-flat Major and E-flat Major, (during the audition, several scales will be requested from this list)
- required solo: The Elephant by Saint-Saens
- one solo of choice from Suzuki Book 3 or equivalent
Prelude Band Audition Requirements – Woodwinds
Flute:
- scales (memorized) – B-flat Major, D Major
- required solo -play as much of the two pages as you can MUSIC LINK HERE
- solo of choice – choose one piece from Standard of Excellence Festival Solos – Book 2 or Book 3
Oboe:
- scales (memorized) – B-flat Major, D Major
- required solo -play as much of the two pages as you can MUSIC LINK HERE
- solo of choice – choose one piece from Standard of Excellence Festival Solos – Book 2 or Book 3
Bassoon:
- scales (memorized) – F Major, C Major
- required solo -play as much of the two pages as you can MUSIC LINK HERE
- solo of choice – choose one piece from Standard of Excellence Festival Solos – Book 2 or Book 3
Clarinet:
- scales (memorized) – Concert B-flat Major, Concert E-flat Major
- required solo -play as much of the two pages as you can MUSIC LINK HERE
- solo of choice – choose one piece from Standard of Excellence Festival Solos – Book 2 or Book 3
Alto Saxophone:
- scales (memorized) – Concert B-flat Major, Concert C Major
- required solo -play as much of the two pages as you can MUSIC LINK HERE
- solo of choice – choose one piece from Standard of Excellence Festival Solos – Book 2 or Book 3
Prelude Band Audition Requirements – Brass
French Horn:
- scales (memorized) – Concert B-flat Major, Concert F Major
- required solo -play as much of the two pages as you can MUSIC LINK HERE
- solo of choice – choose one piece from Standard of Excellence Festival Solos – Book 2 or Book 3
Trumpet:
- scales (memorized) – Concert B-flat Major, Concert C Major
- required solo -play as much of the two pages as you can MUSIC LINK HERE
- solo of choice – choose one piece from Standard of Excellence Festival Solos – Book 2 or Book 3
Trombone:
- scales (memorized) – B-flat Major, C Major
- required solo -play as much of the two pages as you can MUSIC LINK HERE
- solo of choice – choose one piece from Standard of Excellence Festival Solos – Book 2 or Book 3
Euphonium, Baritone BC or TC and Tuba:
- scales (memorized) – B-flat Major, C Major
- required solo -play as much of the two pages as you can MUSIC LINK HERE
- solo of choice – choose one piece from Standard of Excellence Festival Solos – Book 2 or Book 3
Prelude Band Audition Requirements – Percussion
- Mallets – required scales (memorized) – F Major, B-flat Major, D Major and E-flat Major
- Mallets – required excerpt LINKED HERE
- Snare Drum – required piece is LINKED HERE
Please note – percussion students must play both snare drum and mallets for the audition
Percussion students are required to bring their own sticks and mallets.
Select the instrument family from the left to view the Philharmonic Audition Requirements for your instrument.
Philharmonic Auditions consist of scales, solos and sight reading (please check the tabs for specific requirements for each instrument).
Prelude and Philharmonic Auditions are held in person. Each student must sign up for a 10 minute slot on one of our Spring auditions to be considered for entrance into that ensemble.
2023-2024 Philharmonic Auditions – Sunday, May 7 and Saturday, May 13, 2023
Philharmonic Rehearsals begin mid-October, 2023
Fall Auditions – September 30, 2023 – to fill open slots only
Midseason auditions – January 20, 2024
Audition Fee: $25
To register for a Philharmonic Audition, please click on the link below:
Philharmonic Audition Requirements
Violin 1:
- 3 octave scales (memorized): C Major, G Major, D Major, A Major, F Major, B-flat Major and E-flat Major, (during the audition, several scales will be requested from this list)
- required solo: PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
- a solo of choice (solo for acceptance into Philharmonic must be of PMEA level) To be considered for first violin, solo of choice must demonstrate abilities to play in positions above 5th.
Violin 2:
- 3 octave scales (memorized): C Major, G Major, D Major, A Major, F Major, B-flat Major and E-flat Major, (during the audition, several scales will be requested from this list)
- required solo:PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
- solo of choice (solo for acceptance into Philharmonic must be of PMEA level)
Viola:
- 2 or 3 octave scales (memorized): C Major, G Major, D Major, A Major, F Major, B-flat Major and E-flat Major, (during the audition, several scales will be requested from this list)
- Required solo: PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
- solo of choice (solo for acceptance into Philharmonic must be of PMEA level)
Cello:
- 2 or 3 octave scales (memorized): C Major, G Major, D Major, A Major, F Major, B-flat Major and E-flat Major, (during the audition, several scales will be requested from this list)
- Required Solo: PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
- solo of choice (solo for acceptance into Philharmonic must be of PMEA level)
String Bass:
- 2 octave scales (memorized): C Major, G Major, D Major, A Major, F Major, B-flat Major and E-flat Major, (during the audition, several scales will be requested from this list)
- Required Solo: Bach g minor Gavotte or the PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
- solo of choice (solo for acceptance into Philharmonic must be of PMEA level)
Philharmonic Overture Audition Requirements – Woodwinds
Flute:
- scales (memorized) – B-flat Major, C Major, D Major
- required solo –PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
- Flutes are also required to also audition on Piccolo in addition to Flute:
- Piccolo scale: 2 octave chromatic scale
- Piccolo solo: Sonata in F for Flute and Piano (first mvmt. – Vivace) by Telemann
Oboe:
- scales (memorized) – B-flat Major, C Major, D Major
- required solo –PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
Bassoon:
- scales (memorized) – F Major, C Major, D Major
- required solo –PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
Clarinet:
- scales (memorized) – Concert E-flat Major, Concert C Major, Concert D Major
- required solo –PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
Alto Saxophone: (all saxophones must audition on alto)
- scales (memorized) – Concert B-flat Major, Concert C Major, Concert D-Flat Major
- required solo –PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
Philharmonic Orchestra Audition Requirements – Brass
French Horn:
- scales (memorized) – Concert F Major, Concert C Major, Concert D Major
- required solo –PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
Trumpet:
- scales (memorized) – Concert B-flat Major, Concert C Major, Concert D Major
- required solo –PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
Trombone:
- scales (memorized) – B-flat Major, C Major, D Major
- required solo –PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
Euphonium, Baritone (BC), Tuba:
- scales (memorized) – B-flat Major, C Major, D Major
- required solo –PMEA Required Solo for 2023-2024
Philharmonic Orchestra Audition Requirements – Percussion
- Snare Drum – Required Excerpt – Choose ONE of the options LINKED HERE
- Timpani – Required Excerpt – Choose ONE of the options LINKED HERE
- Mallets – Required Excerpt – Choose ONE of the options LINKED HERE
Please note – percussion students must play snare drum, timpani and mallets for the audition
Percussion students are required to bring their own sticks and mallets.