2013 All-State audition results have been mailed to sponsoring teachers!

 

HELP FOR STUDENTS PREPARING FOR AUDITIONS

  

MacPhail has generously provided free online lessons for select etudes. Visit www.macphail.org/mmea for more information. Free online lessons are currently available for the following instruments: Bb Clarinet, French Horn, Alto Saxophone, Snare Drum, Timpani, Trombone, Trumpet, Jazz Bb Trumpet, Jazz Drumset, Jazz Bass Trombone, Oboe, Bb Bass Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Tuba, Euphonium, and Flute.

String Audition Components

 

Each string student will perform an audition consisting of a solo, a prepared orchestral excerpt, scales, and sight-reading. Detailed information about each component is listed below. Rubrics used by judges are posted below.

SOLO

To demonstrate the skills requisite for successful performance of All-State repertoire, the solo is to be selected from standard graded repertoire lists with the minimum level being the easiest acceptable level. Students are encouraged to perform their solo at their highest level of skill mastery only.

The solo will be performed without accompaniment. The solo does not need to be memorized. Students playing with the music must bring two original copies of the solo - one for the student and one for the judge. Students playing from memory must bring one original copy for the judge. A piano score is acceptable for the judge.

Any student who auditions with anything other than original copies will be disqualified from All-State selection, unless written proof is provided to MMEA that the selection is out-of-print or on order (piano scores are permitted).

The following pieces are a guide to the minimum and expected levels; any piece of similar level is appropriate. Due to time constraints at the audition, a maximum of 2 minutes of the solo will be heard. Students should consult their teacher to present the portion of the solo that best demonstrates their accomplishments.

For VIOLIN, the minimum level is a concerto by Haydn, Bach, or Accolay, or a piece from Suzuki Book Seven. Successful applicants often play the Bruch Concerto, de Beriot Concerto, or de Beriot Scene de Ballet.

For VIOLA, the minimum solo level is Telemann Concerto mvt 2, JC Bach Concerto mvt 1, Vivaldi d minor Concerto (transcribed from violin a minor), or a piece from Suzuki Book Five. Successful applicants often play the Bloch Suite Hebraique mvt 1, Bloch Meditation, or Schumann Fairy Tales.

For CELLO, the minimum solo level is Saint Saens Allegro Appassionato, Faure Elegie, Sammartini Sonata in G, Breval Concerto in D, or a piece from Suzuki Book Eight. Successful applicants often play the Haydn C Major Concerto or Boccherini-Gruetzmacher Concerto.

For BASS, the minimum solo level is Vivaldi Sonatas, Marcello Sonatas, Capuzzi Concerto, and Progressive Repertoire for the Double Bass Volume 3 Book 5 by George Vance. Successful applicants often play the Concertos by Dragonetti, Vanhal, or Dittersdorf, Eccles Sonata, Bach Gamba Sonatas or Solo Bach, and Progressive Repertoire for the Double Bass Volume 3 Book 6 by George Vance. 

EXCERPT

Students will prepare the orchestral excerpt for the year. Excerpts will be selected from the standard literature by the MMEA Board and will be posted on the Excerpts page. Students will be judged on appropriate tempo, tone, articulation, and style in addition to basic accuracy and technique. Students are strongly encouraged to listen repeatedly to a recording of the complete work. 

SCALES

Students will prepare scales at the tempo indicated. The scales are posted on the Scales page. Scales played at the audition will be a subset of the published list and will be announced on the MMEA website in February.