Brass

  • Audition requirements are listed below for each PYO ensemble: Sinfonia Musica, Orchestra Nova, Peninsula Young Artists, and the Peninsula Youth Orchestra.

    All applicants must submit a recorded audition that includes scales, an etude or solo piece, and orchestra excerpts. Musicians will be evaluated on posture, tone, intonation, rhythmic control, technique, articulation, dynamics, expression, and preparation. All musicians must be able to read musical notation. Please review the ensemble requirements to determine which audition you should prepare.

    Participating in your school's music program is an important part of being a PYO member. PYO strongly supports music education in schools, which offers students regular ensemble experience that complements their involvement in PYO. Together with private lessons, participation in both school music and PYO forms a well-rounded foundation for musical growth. We encourage and expect all musicians to be part of this important 'triangle' of learning and development. Musicians may be asked to provide proof of school music participation during the season.

  • SCALE REQUIREMENTS

    1 major and 1 minor scale, ascending and descending. See specific scale requirements below for your instrument. Scales are transposed for your specific instrument (not concert pitch for Trumpet and Horn). 

    Trumpet

    • One or two octave G major scale

    • One or two octave D minor scale

    • Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 100

    Horn

    • One octave D major scale

    • One octave D minor scale

    • Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 100

    Trombone & Euphonium

    • One octave G major scale

    • One octave D minor scale

    • Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 100

    Tuba

    • One octave G major scale

    • One octave D minor scale

    • Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 100

    SOLO OR ETUDE REQUIREMENT

    Prepared solo or etude (no more than 2 minutes) that demonstrates student’s current ability.

    ORCHESTRA EXCERPT REQUIREMENT

    Required excerpt of Sinfonia-level piece.

    Trumpet: Star Wars m. 3-11

    Horn: Star Wars m. 1-11

    Trombone/Euphonium: Star Wars m. 1-11

    Tuba: Star Wars m. 1-11

  • SCALE REQUIREMENTS

    2 major scales, ascending and descending. See specific scale requirements below for your instrument. Scales are transposed for your specific instrument (not concert pitch for Trumpet and Horn). 

    Trumpet

    • A major scale

    • E major scale

    • Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120

    • Please play as many octaves as you are able

    Horn

    • D major scale

    • F major scale

    • Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120

    • Please play as many octaves as you are able

    Trombone & Euphonium

    • A major scale

    • F major scale

    • Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120

    • Please play as many octaves as you are able

    Tuba

    • A major scale

    • F major scale

    • Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120

    • Please play as many octaves as you are able

    SOLO OR ETUDE REQUIREMENT

    Prepared solo or etude (no more than 2 minutes) that demonstrates student’s current ability.

    ORCHESTRA EXCERPT REQUIREMENT

    Required excerpt of Nova-level piece.

    Trumpet:Huapango del Oso Trumpet I, M- N

    Horn: Huapango del Oso m. 23-43

    Trombone/Euphonium: Cumberland Cross Trombone I, m. 45-55

    Tuba: Cumberland Cross m. 45-58

  • SCALE REQUIREMENTS

    2 major scales, ascending and descending. See specific scale requirements below for your instrument. Scales are transposed for your specific instrument (not concert pitch for Trumpet and Horn). 

    Trumpet

    • B major scale, two or more octaves

    • A-flat major scale, two or more octaves

    • Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120

    • Please play as many octaves as you are able

    Horn

    • C major scale, two or more octaves

    • E major scale, two or more octaves

    • Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120

    • Please play as many octaves as you are able.

    Trombone & Euphonium

    • E-flat major scale

    • B major scale

    • Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120

    • Please play as many octaves as you are able

    Tuba

    • E-flat major scale

    • B major scale

    • Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120

    • Please play as many octaves as you are able

    SOLO OR ETUDE REQUIREMENT

    Prepared solo or etude (no more than 2 minutes) that demonstrates student’s current ability.

    ORCHESTRA EXCERPT REQUIREMENT

    Required excerpt of PYA-level piece.

    Trumpet: American in Paris Trumpet I, m. 159-168

    Horn: Before the Frost Horn I, m. 32-45

    Trombone/Euphonium: American in Paris Trombone I, m. 95-103 & m. 123-126

    Tuba: Before the Frost m. 32-45


  • SCALE REQUIREMENTS

    • Two or three octave major scale

    • Two or three octave harmonic minor scale

    • Please play one scale in a sharp key and the other in a flat key

    • Chromatic scale (full range of the instrument, from lowest to highest comfortable note)

    REPERTOIRE

    Two contrasting pieces or styles are recommended

    • Etude demonstrating technical ability and musical control (Maximum length: 2 minutes)

    • Solo (or orchestra excerpt) demonstrating current skill level