Artistic Requirements

Philharmonic Orchestra

All candidates are required to know all the major and minor scales and corresponding arpeggios.
Strings: Ability to play any scale or arpeggio in three octaves; a strong command over a variety of bowing techniques including spiccato, staccato, detaché, martelé, ricochet, and legato. Viola and cello must be proficient in reading treble clef.
Woodwind and Brass: Woodwinds must have the ability to play any two-octave scale in arpeggio (three octaves where applicable). Flutists should be proficient in piccolo. Brass must have the ability to play any two-octave scale and arpeggio. Transpositions and clef proficiencies are required where applicable. All woodwinds and brass must be able to play the chromatic scale throughout the range of the instrument.
Piano, Saxophone: Applications will be accepted for these instruments, as needed.
Harp: Major and minor scales and arpeggios of up to four sharps or flats; Two contrasting solo pieces: one fast to demonstrate technical ability and one slow to demonstrate lyricism. Candidates may prepare either two solo pieces of contrasting styles or one that includes both fast and slow sections.
Percussion: Proficiency on snare, timpani (including tuning) and mallets.

All candidates are required to know all the major and minor scales and corresponding arpeggios.
Strings: Ability to play any scale or arpeggio in 3 octaves; a strong command over a variety of bowing techniques including spiccato, staccato, detaché, martelé, ricochet, and legato. Viola and cello must be proficient in reading treble clef.
Woodwind and Brass: Woodwinds must have the ability to play any two-octave scale in arpeggio (3 octaves where applicable). Flutists should be proficient in piccolo. Brass must have the ability to play any two-octave scale and arpeggio. Transpositions and clef proficiencies are required where applicable. All woodwinds and brass must be able to play the chromatic scale throughout the range of the instrument.
Percussion: Proficiency on snare, timpani (including tuning) and mallets.

All artistic standards described in the Prelude and Intermezzo String Ensembles plus:
Strings: Ability to play 3 octave major and minor scales including C, G, D, A, B Bb, Eb. Solid knowledge of positions one through five. Familiarity with a variety of bowing techniques including spiccato, staccato, detaché, martelé, ricochet, and legato. Viola and cello must have a basic understanding of treble clef.
Woodwind and Brass: Woodwinds must have the ability to play two-octave major and minor scales.
Piano, Harp, Saxophone: Applications will be accepted for these instruments, as needed.
Percussion: Proficiency on snare, timpani (including tuning) and mallets.

All major scales (3 octaves when applicable).
Full range chromatic scale.
Two pieces or études of contrasting pieces: one piece or excerpt should be of fast tempo to demonstrate technique; and the other selection should be of slower tempo and more lyrical to demonstrate musicianship, phrasing, etc.
Excellent sight reading.

Scales: Chromatic 2 octaves (1 octave for brass); Major scales up to 4 sharps/flats.
Solo: Jazz tune, Jazz etude or any solo of your choice.
Sight-reading: Short piece with some syncopation.
Optional: Improvisation – solo on F blues.
Guitar & Piano – Comping ability on Major 7th, minor 7th, dominant 7th. Ability to read notes & rhythm.
Upright & Electric Bass – Simple note-reading; Swing Latin and Rock styles from chord changes.

Ability to perform Major Scales up to four sharps and four flats – C, G, D, A, F, B flat and A flat one octave (two octaves if possible).
Two contrasting pieces/excerpts (up to 3 minutes total): Prepare one piece/excerpt at a fast tempo to demonstrate technique and one piece/excerpt at a slow tempo to demonstrate musicianship, phrasing, etc.
Sight-reading.

Woodwinds and Brass: Ability to perform Major Scales up to four sharps and four flats – C, G, D, A, E, F, B flat, E flat, and A flat one octave (two octaves if possible).
Percussion: Ability on pitched or non-pitched instruments, both are desirable. Mallets: Ability to perform any six of the 12 Major Scales two octaves. Snare Drum: Ability to demonstrate at least half of the standard 24 rudiments including a closed roll.
String Bass: Ability to perform at the same minimum artistic standards as listed under the Concert Orchestra.
ALL: Two contrasting pieces/excerpts (up to 3 minutes total): Prepare one piece/excerpt at a fast tempo to demonstrate technique and one piece/excerpt at a slow tempo to demonstrate musicianship, phrasing, etc.
Sight-reading.

Ability on pitched or unpitched instruments, both are desirable.
Mallets: Ability to perform any 6 of the 12 Major Scales two octaves.
Snare Drum: Ability to demonstrate at least half of the standard 24 rudiments including a closed roll.

Perform two contrasting pieces of level 2-3+: one piece/excerpt should be of fast tempo to demonstrate technique; the other selection should be of a slower tempo and more lyrical to demonstrate musicianship, phrasing etc.
One scale (two hands, three octaves in eighth notes) and one arpeggio – V7 chord; four octaves in eighth notes.
Intervals and chord inversions.
Sight-reading.

All students are expected to be able to play two octave major scales up to 4 sharps/flats.
Violinists are expected to have started three octave scales in the keys of G and A major.
Violists are expected to have started three octave scales in the keys of C and D.
Cellists are expected to have started three octave scales in the keys of C and D.
All members should have some experience in second position up to fifth.
All members should be able to incorporate vibrato in their playing.
All members should understand the following bow strokes: detaché, martelé, legato and spiccato.
Bassists are expected to play one or started two octaves in the key of F Major, play one octave in the key of D Major, and possibly one minor scale (not required).

Ability to play major scales in C, G, D, A in two octaves.
Solid knowledge of first position with a beginning understanding of third position.
Beginning vibrato is welcomed but not required.
Ability to use basic bow strokes including legato, staccato, and detaché.
Bassists are expected to play one octave in the keys of F Major and D Major.