AUDITIONS
(according to Webster’s Dictionary)
a performance by a musician to demonstrate ability or skill 

Returning TJS Members
Auditions for returning TJS members who feel they meet the technical requirements for the next orchestra up may be arranged for by calling for an appointment — 745-5830.   PLEASE do not show up for an audition without first scheduling your audition or without audition music which demonstrates your ability to meet the technical requirements well prepared. Audition days will be announced on The Latest News and by email. Generally, these days will be the two Saturdays preceeding the first rehearsal of the new semester. You must contact Mrs. Bourret at 745-5830, 465-1334 or by email to reserve an audition time.

New Member Auditions
Sinfonia III, Sinfonia II, Sinfonia I
Players new to TJS wishing to enter a Sinfonia Orchestra do not need to audition. Call 745-5830 for a telephone interview regarding technical ability on the instrument. After placement, an audition is required to move to another orchestra.

Suggested Audition Repertoire
If you don't find your piece listed here, contact the Bourrets on eligibility.

Violins
Bach – Concerto in a minor (1st movement)
Haydn – Concerto in G Major
Haydn – Serenade
Huber – Student Concertino, Op. 6, No. 2 in G
Kuchler – Concertino, Op. 12
Kuchler – Concertino in the Style of Vivaldi, Op. 15
Rameau- Kreisler - Tambourin
Rieding – Concertino in ungarischer Weise, Op. 21
Seitz – Pupil’s Concerto No. 3
Seitz – Pupil’s Concerto No. 4
Vivaldi – Concerto in a minor 1st movement
Vivaldi – Concerto in g minor

Violas
Dancla – Fantasia – La Cenerentola
Drigo – Valse Bluette
Haydn – Divertimento in D Major (Edited by Henri Elkan)
Mozart – Divertimento in C Major
Rameau - Rigaudon
Schubert - Sonatina No. 1 in D Major
Seitz – Pupil’s Concerto No. 3
Seitz – Pupil’s Concerto No. 4
Vivaldi – Concerto in d minor – 1st movement
Vivaldi – Concerto in e minor

Cello and Bass
Reperatoire suggestions coming soon; please contact the Bourrets.

Junior Chamber and Chamber II
New applicants for TJS membership in a Chamber orchestra must audition. Bring a piece of music to your audition which demonstrates your ability to meet the technical requirements as explained in Technical Requirements for each orchestra. Call 745-5830 to schedule an appointment. 

Chamber I
Chamber I is a limited membership orchestra. Auditions take place ONLY in September each year to fill vacancies. Once the Fall semester has begun, entrance to Chamber I is closed. See Technical Requirements for orchestra technical requirements. 

Suggested Audition Repertoire
If your piece is not listed here, contact the Bourrets to check on eligibility.

Violins
Beethoven - Romance in F
Bloch - Suite Hebraique; Rapsodie (good for vibrato demonstration)
Bruch - g minor; all movements are good (2nd movement good for vibrato demo)
Kreisler - Praeludium and Allegro
Lalo - Symphonie Espagnole; all movements are good - 4th movement good for vibrato demo
Massanet - Meditation from "Thais" (good for vibrato demonstration)
Mendelssohn - concerto in e; all movements
Mozart - Concertos in D Major and A Major; all movements
Viotti - Concerto #20, 21, 22

Violas
J C Bach - Concerto in c minor - all movements (2nd movement - good vibrato and intonation piece)
Bloch - Suite Hebraique (Rapsodie) - good vibrato piece
Bruch - Romanze Handel - Concerto in b minor
Hoffmeister - Concerto in D
Kreisler - Praeludium and Allegro (praeludium good vibrato piece)
Stamitz - Concerto in D

Cellos
J C Bach - Concerto in c minor
Boccherini - Concerto in b minor
Bruch - Kol Nidrei (good vibrato piece)
Faure - Apres un Reve (good vibrato piece)
Faure - Elegy (good vibrato piece)
Haydn - Concerto in C
Lalo - Concerto Saint-Saens - Concerto
Saint- Saens - Allegro Appassionato
Saint-Saens - Swan (good vibrato piece)

Basses
no suggestions for repertoire. Your audition should include a concerto with 16th notes at an allegro tempo, and a piece demonstrating tone and vibrato. You should be able to demonstrate the ability to read tenor clef and a bit of treble clef. AND, of course, scales of Mr B's choosing and sightreading.
 

What you need to know about auditions

Auditions are a needed part of your instrumental training.  If you are intending to pursue a study of your instrument (whether professionally or as an avocation) you will be asked to play an audition many times during your playing career. 

How does one prepare for an audition?  During your TJS years, once you have attained your placement within an orchestra, it’s generally a very good idea to start learning the skills for the next orchestra up.  It’s generally a very good idea to remain within a level for a minimum of one semester, preferably for one year, to master the skills offered at that level. 

Hopefully you won’t wait until two weeks before the auditions and say, “gee, I’d like to move up. I’d better learn how to play in XXX position now so I can call for an audition!.”  More likely than not, because you’ve not really learned to master the new material, you will not be able to audition successfully. If you’re a good faker and get in, you could be “over your head” when you play in the new orchestra, won’t play with confidence, and will not be an asset to the orchestra.
 

For more information regarding your audtion,  please read “Taking an Audition” by Dennis R. Bourret, Director of Tucson Jr. Strings.