How to Audition for CMS Orchestras & Ensembles


Step 1: Complete the Audition Application. The application period runs May 1 – June 30.
Step 2: Prepare for the audition. Audition requirements for each orchestra/ensemble level are below. Audition excerpts required for each orchestra/ensemble will be posted to the website in early July.
Step 3: Look for an email from the CMS which will contain your audition date and time slot in early August.
Step 4: Attend your audition. All auditions will be held at the CMS Center at 535 Garden Avenue in Webster Groves.
Step 5: Audition results are sent out in early September.
Audition Requirements:
String Ensemble (average age 7-10 years)
Play all scales, without music, 1 octave, 2 eighth notes per bow, metronome marking 60=quarter note
Violin:
- Major Scales: G,D,F
- Melodic minor scales: a,d
Viola and Cello:
- Major Scales: G,D,B-flat
- Melodic minor scales: d, g
An unaccompanied solo of the student's choice that best demonstrates his/her ability. The solo does not need to be played from memory. If memorized, bring the solo music into the audition.
String Ensemble Violin Excerpts
String Ensemble Viola Excerpts
String Ensemble Cello Excerpts
The following list indicates the median playing level generally reached by students in String Ensemble. There are other appropriate works not listed in this guide.
Violin:
- Suzuki Violin School, Volumes 2-4
- other collections include: Solos for Young ViolinistsorEssential Elements
Viola:
- Suzuki Viola School, Volumes 1-2
- other collections include: Solos for Young ViolistsorEssential Elements
Cello:
- Suzuki Cello School, Volume2
- other collections include: Solos for Young CellistsorEssential Element
String Orchestra (average age 9 - 14 years)
Violin/viola/cello: play all scales, without music, 2 octaves, 4 sixteenth notes per bow, metronome at
60= quarter note
Double basses: play all scales, without music, 2 octaves, 2 eighth notes per bow, metronome at 60=
quarter note
Violin:
- Major Scales: C, G,D,A, F, B-flat
- Melodic minor scales: a,e, d, g
Viola/Cello/Double Bass:
- Major Scales: C, G, D, F, B-flat
- Melodic minor scales: a, e, d, g
An unaccompanied solo of the student's choice that best demonstrates his/her ability. The solo does not need to be played from memory. If memorized, bring the solo music into the audition.
String Orchestra Violin Excerpts
String Orchestra Viola Excerpts
String Orchestra Cello Excerpts
String Orchestra Bass Excerpts
The following listindicates the median playing level generally reached by students in String Orchestra. There are other appropriate works not listed in this guide.
Violin:
- Suzuki Violin School, Volumes 4-6
- other collections include: Solos for Young Violinists, Vol. 2 or Solo Time for Strings
Viola:
- Suzuki Viola School, Volume 3
- other collections include: Solos for Young Violists, Vol. 2 or Solo Time for Strings
Cello:
- Suzuki Cello School Volumes 3-4
- other collections include: Solos for Young Cellists, Vol. 2 or Essential Elements
Double Bass:
AndersonSonatina or George Vance, Books 1 and 2
Young People's Concert Orchestra (YPCO)
Violin/viola/cello: play all scales, 3 octaves, 3 notes per bow, without music
Double basses: play all scales, 2 octaves, 3 notes per bow, without music
Winds/brass: play all scales, including chromatic, minimum 2 octaves/range of the instrument,
following the rhythm pattern for Missouri All-State auditions (select MBA ASB Audition Material)
- Major Scales: C, G, D, A, F, B-flat
- Melodic minor scales: a, e, b, f-sharp, d, g, c
An unaccompanied solo of the student's choice that best demonstrates his/her ability.
YPCO Violin Excerpts
YPCO Viola Excerpts
YPCO Cello Excerpts
YPCO Bass Excerpts
YPCO Flute Excerpts
YPCO Oboe Excerpts
YPCO Clarinet Excerpts
YPCO Bassoon Excerpts
YPCO Horn Excerpts
YPCO Trumpet Excerpts
YPCO Trombone Excerpts
YPCO Tuba Excerpts
The following list the minimum playing level generally reached by students in the Young People’s Concert and Symphonic Orchestras. This guide for applicants and their teachers indicates the orchestra’s range in technical level and repertoire. There are many other works not listed that are appropriate for auditioning.
Young People's Symphonic Orchestra (YPSO)
Violin/viola/cello: play all scales, 3 octaves, 3 notes per bow, without music
Double basses: play all scales, 3 octaves, 3 notes per bow, without music
Winds/brass: play all scales, including chromatic, minimum 2 octaves/range of the instrument,
following the rhythm pattern for Missouri All-State auditions (select MBA ASB Audition Material)
- Major Scales: C, G, D, A, E, F, B-flat, E-flat, A-flat
- Melodic minor scales: a, e, b, f-sharp, c-sharp, d, g, c, f
An unaccompanied solo of the student's choice that best demonstrates his/her ability
YPSO Violin Excerpts
YPSO Viola Excerpts
YPSO Cello Excerpts
YPSO Double Bass Excerpts
YPSO Flute Excerpts
YPSO Oboe Excerpts
YPSO Bass Clarinet Excerpts
YPSO Clarinet Excerpts
YPSO Bassoon Excerpts
YPSO Horn Excerpts
YPSO Trumpet Excerpts
YPSO Trombone Excerpts
YPSO Tuba Excerpts
Symphonic Orchestras. This guide for applicants and their teachers indicates the orchestra’s range in technical level
and repertoire. There are many other works not listed that are appropriate for auditioning. in this guide.
Suggested Audition Repertoire – guide for YPCO & YPSO
Young People's Orchestra - Percussion (YPOP)
Be prepared to play all major and minor scales and arpeggios through 4 sharps and 4 flats including chromatic, minimum 2 octaves, following the rhythm for Missouri All-State auditions (select MBA ASB Audition Material)
On snare drum: closed roll (soft to loud to soft), double stroke roll (slow to fast to slow)
An unaccompanied solo of the student's choice that best demonstrates his/her ability.
The following is a list of suggested repertoire, however, you may play other appropriate
material you have prepared.
Snare Drum: Any of the Cirone Portraits in Rhythm or Whaley Audition Etudes
Mallet/Keyboard: Any 2- or 4- mallet solo, including those on the MSHSAA Solo and Ensemble list.
Timpani: Saul Goodman Etudes and excerpts or Whaley Audition Etudes
Students will be selected based on musicality, technique, and competence within a concert percussion setting.
Semester Summary
3 YPOP only rehearsals
5 rehearsals with the assigned orchestra
1 dress rehearsal with the assigned orchestra
1 concert with the assigned orchestra
Webster University High School Jazz Ensemble (HSJE)
Prior experience in jazz is helpful but not mandatory
- Students should play two pieces, a 12-bar blues and a standard from the jazz repertoire, or selections from their school jazz band materials.
- The audition pieces should display technique, rhythmic agility, phrasing, and melodic sensitivity.
- Suggested jazz works for the audition can be located in the jazz play-along books published by Hal Leonard, Aebersold, and Alfred.
- A CD player, digital or live accompaniment will be included for the audition.
- Drum set auditions include playing in the following styles: medium and fast swing, ballad, bossa nova, samba, jazz waltz, shuffle, and 1/2-time funk. Digital or live accompaniment will be included.
- Students may audition on auxiliary percussion instruments.
- Piano, bass, guitar, and vibraphone auditions include playing written parts and reading chord symbols.