Membership in the Community Music School orchestras and ensembles is by audition for both returning and new students. Auditions are by appointment only.
Read all information carefully before completing BOTH sides of the application and return the application to the Community Music School of Webster University by the specified deadline.
ALL APPLICANTS will receive an audition time after the completed application is received.
For all orchestras/ensembles, an unaccompanied solo of the student’s choice is required. The solo should be recital-ready and represent the student’s technical and musical ability. The solo does not need to be memorized.
Scales, sight-reading and excerpts are also part of the audition. For scale requirements, see the descriptions of specific orchestras/ensembles.
Note that the judges will not request any particular scale, so be sure to prepare all scales listed.
Excerpts will be mailed on August 4 for Young People's Symphonic Orchestra and Young People's Concert Orchestra, and on August 25 for String Orchestra and String Ensemble.
Placement in the ensembles is based solely on the audition performance. Judges comments are confidential. The decisions of the judges will be final.
Suggested Audition Repertoire
(YPSO, YPCO and Percussion Ensemble)
| YPSO Scale Requirements | All major and minor scales through 4 sharps and 4 flats, minimum of 2 octaves, 4 notes per bow; chromatic scale |
| YPCO and Percussion Ensemble Scale Requirements | All major and minor scales through 3 sharps and 3 flats, minimum of 2 octaves, 4 notes per bow; chromatic scale |
YPSO/YPCO/Percussion Ensemble Suggested Solo Guidelines
The following repertoire list indicates the minimum playing level generally reached by students in the Percussion Ensemble and Young People's Concert and Symphonic Orchestras. These are guides for applicants and their teachers, indicating the orchestras' and ensemble's range in technical level and repertoire. There are many other works not listed that are appropriate for auditioning.
| Instrument | Concertos | Pieces |
| Violin | Accolay – No. 1, J.S. Bach – a minor, No. 2 in E Major, Mozart – No. 3, No. 4, No. 5 | G.F. Handel – Sonatas |
| Viola | Telemann – G Major, Hoffmeister, J. C. Bach – Concerto in c minor | J.S. Bach – Suites |
| Cello | Breval |
J.S. Bach – Sonatas, Marcello – Sonata in g minor, Faure – Elegie,
Saint-Saëns – Allegro Appassionato, Eccles – Sonata |
| Bass | Capuzzi, Dragonetti, Bottesini | Marcello – Sonatas |
| Flute |
Mozart, Quantz – G Major, Chaminade – D Major, Telemann – f minor,
Marcello – c minor or d minor, Haydn – C Major |
G.F. Handel – Sonatas |
| Oboe | Cimaroso – c minor, Marcello – d minor, Vivaldi – d minor | Handel – Sonatas |
| Clarinet | Weber, Mozart, Stamitz | Weber – Concertino, Jeanjean – Arabesques, Finzi – Five Bagatelles (Mvts. I, II, IV, or V – pick two) |
| Bassoon | Hummel – Bassoon Concerto, Mozart – Bassoon Concerto, Handel – g minor | Weber – Hungarian Rhapsody |
| Horn | Strauss – No. 1; Mozart – Horn Concertos | Mendelssohn – Romance sans paroles |
| Trumpet | Haydn, Hummel, Aruturian | Arnell – Trumpet Allegro, Hartley – Sonatina, Hindemith – Sonata |
| Instrument | Sonatas | Pieces |
| Trombone | Marcello, Hindemith, Vivaldi, Bach – Cello Sonatas | Arnold – Fantasie Op. 101, Rochut – Melodious Etudes |
| Instrument | Pieces | |
| Tuba | Buchtel – Ballad for Tuba, Huddad – Suite for the Tuba, Desmond – “The Sea Song”, Hartley – Sonatina | |
| Instrument | Guidelines | |
| Percussion/Timpani |
Be prepared to play as many instruments as possible using the examples below or comparable literature. Rudiments and sight-reading may be requested. Middle School/Junior High Senior High |
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470 East Lockwood Avenue