Audition requirements are listed below for each PYO ensemble: Sinfonia Musica, Orchestra Nova, Peninsula Young Artists, Chamber Flutes, 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 Clarinet and Saxophone).

Flute

One or two octave G major scale
One or two octave B minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 100

Oboe

One or two octave G major scale
One or two octave B minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 100

Clarinet

One or two octave A major scale
One or two octave D minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 100

Bassoon

One or two octave G major scale
One or two octave B minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 100

Saxophone

One or two octave D major scale
One or two octave A 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.

Flute: Magic Flute m.25-39

Oboe: Magic Flute m. 25-39

Clarinet: Magic Flute Clarinet 1, m. 25-39

Bassoon: Hallelujah Chorus m. 12-22

Saxophone: Hallelujah Chorus m. 12-22

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 Clarinet and Saxophone).

Flute

Two octave D major scale
Two octave A minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120
Chromatic scale (lowest note to highest note)

Oboe

Two octave D major scale
Two octave A minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120
Chromatic scale (lowest note to highest note)

Clarinet

Two octave E major scale
Two octave G minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120
Chromatic scale (lowest note to highest note)

Bassoon

Two octave D major scale
Two octave A minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120
Chromatic scale (lowest note to highest note)

Saxophone

One octave B major scale
Two octave D minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120

SOLO OR ETUDE REQUIREMENT

Prepared solo or etude (no more than 3 minutes) that demonstrates student’s current ability.

ORCHESTRA EXCERPT REQUIREMENT

Required excerpt of Nova-level piece.

Flute: Intermezzo from Carmen m. 3-13

Oboe: Intermezzo from Carmen m. 13-23

Clarinet: Intermezzo from Carmen Clarinet I, m. 13-23

Bassoon: Intermezzo from Carmen m. 29-37

Saxophone: Cumberland Cross m. 49-56

SCALE REQUIREMENTS

2 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 Clarinet and Saxophone).

Flute

Two octave A major scale
Two octave C major scale (three octaves encouraged)
Two octave A minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120
Chromatic scale (lowest note to highest note)

Oboe

Two octave D major scale
One octave A-flat major scale
Two octave A minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120
Chromatic scale (lowest note to highest note)

Clarinet

Two octave A major scale
Two octave A-flat major scale
Two octave B minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120
Chromatic scale (lowest note to highest note)

Bassoon

Two octave A major scale
Two octave A-flat major scale
Two octave A minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120
Chromatic scale (lowest note to highest note)

Saxophone

Two octave E-flat major scale
Two octave E major scale
Two octave A minor scale
Scales should be played in eighth notes (tongue two, slur two)♩= 120

SOLO OR ETUDE REQUIREMENT

Prepared solo or etude (no more than 3 minutes) that demonstrates student’s current ability.

ORCHESTRA EXCERPT REQUIREMENT

Required excerpt of PYA-level piece.

Flute: Wedding Day Flute I, A-C (skip rests longer than 2 measures)

Oboe: Wedding Day m. 6-A & F-G (play the top line/solo)

Clarinet: Wedding Day Clarinet I, m. 45-E

Bassoon: Wedding Day pickup to the 9th bar of C - D

Saxophone: American in Paris m. 145-159

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

Audition requirements are the same as those listed in the orchestra sections above. All flute applicants will also be considered for Chamber Flutes placement upon review of their audition.

BEGINNING FLUTE

Scale Requirement