Cello Requirements

You must be prepared to play all of the specified requirements when auditioning. Please understand that the audition committee may choose to omit some items during the actual audition.

Prelude Strings

The audition committee will select from the following:

  1. Scales and arpeggios will be chosen by the committee from the following MAJOR keys: G and D. All scales are to be performed with arpeggios as one octave (see String Orchestra Scale and Arpeggio sheet). All scales and arpeggios are to be performed in even quarter notes using separate bows at a tempo of MM quarter note = 60. Strive for accurate intonation and steady tempo.  
  2. A brief solo or etude of your choice that best demonstrates your playing skills.
  3. A short sight reading exercise(s) to demonstrate the student’s reading ability. The student will have thirty seconds to study the piece before playing it. Students may prepare for this part of the audition by practicing sight-reading skills during their daily practice routine. 

Chamber Strings

The audition committee will select from the following:

  1. Scales and arpeggios will be chosen by the committee from the following MAJOR keys: C, G, D, or Bb. All scales are to be performed with arpeggios (see String Orchestra Scale and Arpeggio sheet). The keys of C and D must be performed as two octaves, Bb as one octave and G may be performed as either one or two octaves. All scales and arpeggios are to be performed in even quarter notes using separate bows at a tempo of MM quarter note = 60.  Strive for accurate intonation and steady tempo.
  2. A brief solo or etude of your choice that best demonstrates your playing skills.
  3. A short sight reading exercise(s) to demonstrate the student’s reading ability. The student will have thirty seconds to study the piece before playing it. Students may prepare for this part of the audition by practicing sight-reading skills during their daily practice routine. 

Student must be able to read and accurately play notes in first position for all four strings.

Symphonic Strings

The audition committee will select from the following:

  1. Scales and arpeggios will be chosen by the committee from the following MAJOR keys: C, G, D, Bb and Eb. All scales are to be performed with arpeggios (see String Orchestra Scale and Arpeggio sheet). The keys of C, G, D and Eb must be performed as two octaves and Bb may be performed as one octave. All scales and arpeggios are to be performed in even eighth notes using separate bows at a tempo of MM quarter note = 60. Strive for accurate intonation and steady tempo. 
  2. A brief solo or etude of your choice that best demonstrates your playing skills.
  3. Provided excerpt.  Please take the time to study this excerpt carefully.  Style, character, and musicianship will be as important as intonation, tempo, and technique.
  4. A short sight reading exercise(s) to demonstrate the student’s reading ability. The student will have thirty seconds to study the piece before playing it. Students may prepare for this part of the audition by practicing sight-reading skills during their daily practice routine. 

Student must be able to read and accurately play notes in first and third position for all four strings.

Youth Symphony

The audition committee will select from the following:

  1. Scales and arpeggios will be chosen by the committee from the following MAJOR keys: C, G, D, A, E, F, Bb, Eb and Ab. Scales and arpeggios are to be performed from memory and in even eighth notes using separate bows at a tempo of MM quarter note = 60 – 80. The keys of C and D must be performed as three-octaves. All other scales and arpeggios are to be performed as two-octaves.
  2. Provided excerpts.  Please take the time to study these excerpts carefully.  Style, character, and musicianship will be as important as intonation, tempo, and technique.
  3. A short sight reading exercise(s) to demonstrate the student’s reading ability. 

Youth Philharmonic

The audition committee will select from the following:

  1. Scales and arpeggios will be chosen by the committee from ALL MAJOR keys. Scales and arpeggios are to be performed from memory and in even eighth notes using separate bows at a tempo of MM quarter note = 60 – 80. The keys of C, G, D, A, F, Bb and Eb must be performed as three-octaves. All other scales and arpeggios may be performed as two-octaves.
  2. Provided excerpts.  Please take the time to study these excerpts carefully.  Style, character, and musicianship will be as important as intonation, tempo, and technique.
  3. A short sight reading exercise(s) to demonstrate the student’s reading ability.

 

Any questions pertaining to the information listed above should be directed to the Education Office of the Sarasota Orchestra.