Open Auditions

Orchestral Instrument Audition Requirements

• Solo piece of the student’s choice
• Excerpts, provided by NJYS on April 1
• Sight-reading

Select a solo that best demonstrates your ability and musicianship. Keep in mind that the level of your solo piece will determine for which ensemble(s) you will be considered based on your audition. The level indicated next to each ensemble below represents the minimum level required to be considered for that particular ensemble. For example, if you are a rising 10^th grade violinist and play a level 5 solo piece, you are eligible to be considered for Youth Orchestra, Philharmonia and Sinfonia. If your solo piece is not listed on the solo list, please submit your Solo Level Request Form located on the solo list, for the artistic team to designate a level, and the NJYS office will contact you shortly.

Ensembles by Level and Grades

If your solo requires multiple movements please choose 2 contrasting movements (ex. fast and slow) and include excerpts from both in your audition video. For higher level pieces, both excerpts together should be 3-4 minutes total (no more than 4 minutes). Fast movement excerpts should be about 2 ½-3 minutes of the solo time, and slow movement excerpts should be the other 1-1 ½ minutes of the solo time.

SOLO LISTS 

Please note: Jazz Students do no need to prepare a solo below. Jazz Students, please scroll down for Jazz Requirements.

VIOLIN
VIOLA
CELLO
BASS
HARP
PIANO
FLUTE
OBOE
CLARINET
BASS CLARINET
ALTO SAX, classical
TENOR SAX, classical
BARI SAX, classical
BASSOON
HORN
TRUMPET
TENOR TROMBONE
BASS TROMBONE
TUBA
BARITONE
PERCUSSION

CLICK BELOW AND PRINT:

Excerpts: Click on the solo level of your instrument for the required excerpts. You must play all the excerpts provided. Excerpts coming soon…

Violin 
Viola
Cello
Bass
Piano
Harp

CLICK BELOW AND PRINT:

Excerpts: Click on the solo level of your instrument for the required excerpts. You must play all the excerpts provided. Excerpts coming soon…

Flute Excerpts

Oboe Excerpts

Clarinet Excerpts

Bass Clarinet

Bassoon Excerpts:
BASSOON Level 1
BASSOON Level 2
BASSOON Level 3
BASSOON Level 4

CONTRABASSOON Excerpt, Level 4 only

French Horn Excerpts:
HORN Level 1
HORN Level 2
HORN Level 3 *Updated Dvorak 1st Excerpt tempo marking, 4/15/21 @ 5:21pm
HORN Level 4 *Updated Dvorak 1st Excerpt tempo marking, 4/15/21 @ 5:21pm

Trumpet Excerpts:
TRUMPET Level 1
TRUMPET Level 2
TRUMPET Level 3
TRUMPET Level 4

Trombone Excerpts:
TROMBONE Level 1
TROMBONE Level 2
TROMBONE Level 3
TROMBONE Level 4

BASS TROMBONE Excerpt, Level 4 Only

Tuba Excerpts:
TUBA Level 1
TUBA Level 2
TUBA Level 3
TUBA Level 4

Saxophone (Classical) Excerpts (Updated 4/20/21 @ 2:25pm):
ALTO SAXOPHONE Level 1
TENOR SAXOPHONE Level 1
BARITONE SAXOPHONE Level 1

Percussion Requirements and Excerpts
Percussion auditions video submission due: May 22

Percussion Solo List 2021-2022 (Updated 5/12/21)

Percussion Requirements
& Excerpts:
PERCUSSION Level 1
PERCUSSION Level 2 *Updated 4/14/2021, 3:22pm
PERCUSSION Level 3

VIDEO REQUIREMENTS

The order of your video should be as listed in the requirements.

PERC VIDEO RECORDING

• The entirety of your audition should be recorded in one single, unedited video. If your device is able to pause in between instruments, please use that option. However, if your device does not allow you to pause, please submit a video per instrument, and add the links to the submission form separated by a comma.
• Please state your name at the beginning of your video. For example: My name is Stacy Square.

Be sure to follow our guidelines for the best video: Video Audition Guidelines

AUDITION VIDEO SUBMISSION

After your registration, you will receive an email receipt with the Google Form for your audition video submission. Please upload your video to YouTube and title it NJYS2122.[instrument][level].[name]. Then mark it as “Unlisted” and submit the URL using the form in your email. Do not mark as “Private”. Once you have the link to your video, submit your video by the deadline.

Print the requirements below, and download the Mp3 in preparation for your audition video. Jazz auditions video submission due: May 22

Jazz Requirements
JAZZ Etudes
Jazz-Scale-Sheet
Bflat Blues MP3

VIDEO REQUIREMENTS

Order:

1. Scales (Specific scales will be posted soon).
2. Audition Piece provided by NJYS
3. Improvisation
4. Additional Rhythm section requirements, if applicable.

AUDITION VIDEO RECORDING

• The entirety of your audition should be recorded in one single, unedited video. Be sure to record your audition in the order listed above. You may not edit, cut, splice, or otherwise alter your performance. Picture must remain stationary: no panning, zooming, multiple cameras, fading in/out. However, you may pause the video to more to a new instrument or to set up your additional device, if necessary.
• You will need an additional device to play the backing track for your improvisation section.
• Please state your name at the beginning of your video. For example: My name is Stacy Square.

Be sure to follow our guidelines for the best video: Video Audition Guidelines

AUDITION VIDEO SUBMISSION

After your registration, you will receive an email receipt with the Google Form for your audition video submission. Please upload your video to YouTube and title it NJYS2122.[instrument][level].[name]. Then mark it as “Unlisted” and submit the URL using the form in your email. Do not mark as “Private”. Once you have the link to your video, submit your video by the deadline.