Basoon Requirements
The following audition material will be used as a guideline to determine each student's level of proficiency in order to bring a successful contribution to Sarasota Youth Orchestra ensembles.
Bassoon students auditioning for the Youth Symphony will be asked to perform:
- Scales chosen by the audition committee from major keys ranging from four sharps to four flats and may include a two-octave chromatic scale starting on F to be performed at a minimum tempo of MM quarter note = 84.
- All other scales are to be performed in two octaves from memory, complete with arpeggios, at a minimum tempo of MM quarter note = 84. The scale pattern is a quarter on the starting pitch and every octave after that with eighth notes in between. The arpeggio pattern is a quarter note on the starting pitch and on every octave after that with eighth notes in between.
- Prepared orchestral excerpts. Please take the time to print, study and practice these excerpts carefully. Style, character and musicianship will be as important as intonation, tempo and technique.
- A short sight-reading exercise(s) to demonstrate reading ability.
Bassoon students auditioning for the Youth Philharmonic will be asked to perform:
- Scales chosen by the audition committee from all major keys and may include a two-octave chromatic scale starting on F to be performed at a minimum tempo of MM quarter note = 120.
- All other scales are to be performed in two octaves from memory, complete with arpeggios, at a minimum tempo of MM quarter note = 120. The scale pattern is a quarter on the starting pitch and every octave after that with eighth notes in between. The arpeggio pattern is a quarter note on the starting pitch and on every octave after that with eighth notes in between.
- Prepared orchestral excerpts: page 1 and page 2.
- A short sight-reading exercise(s) to demonstrate reading ability.
If you have further questions, please contact the Sarasota Orchestra Education Office at (941) 487-2732.
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