Instrumental Piece for Adjudication
All music applicants will perform two (2) contrasting prepared selections (2-3 minutes each) and a brief sightreading exercise available on Opus Event when the applicant registers. Additionally, applicants will be asked to respond to a question prompt about their practice on Opus Event at the time of registration. Memorization of music is encouraged but optional. The repertoire should be set at a medium level of difficulty or higher.
The applicant will select compositions for auditions from the standard solo repertoire for his/her instrument or voice within the following guidelines:
Instrumentalists will be judged on technique, interpretation, tone, intonation, sight-reading, and scales.
The applicant will select compositions for auditions from the standard solo repertoire for his/her instrument or voice within the following guidelines:
- Woodwinds and Brass may select materials from the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association's (VBODA) Manual Solo Listings in grades IV, V, and VI; however, selections are not limited to those on these lists. Etudes and exercises from your instrument’s method book are also acceptable (i.e. Klosé, Arban, Rochut, etc.) Any form of accompaniment for instrumental music will not be allowed. In addition, applicants will be required to perform a chromatic scale overthe full range of their instrument (eighth notes, MM=60; slur up, tongue down). There will also be a sight-reading exercise.
- Strings may select materials from the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association's (VBODA) Manual Solo Listings in grades IV, V, and VI; however, selections are not limited to those on these lists. Solos from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary periods are acceptable. Any form of accompaniment for instrumental music will not be allowed. There will also be a sight-reading exercise.
- Classical/Symphonic Percussionists must present one prepared selection on a mallet instrument and one on the snare drum. Additionally, perform Eb major, A major, and Db major scales (eighth notes, MM = 60, 2 octaves). There will be sight reading exercises for snare drums and mallets. In addition to the classical/symphonic audition, percussionists who can perform the commercial/jazz audition requirements are encouraged.
- Commercial/Jazz Percussionists must perform all the following grooves on a drum set: rock, funk, swing, jazz waltz, and a one-minute improvised drum solo. Videos of the grooves should be at most five minutes long. In addition to the commercial/jazz audition, percussionists who can perform the classical/symphonic audition requirements are encouraged.
- Classical Guitarists (acoustic) and Harpists should select two (2) contrasting pieces from two different style periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th/21st Century, or original composition). There will also be a sight-reading exercise. Guitarists will also be asked to perform a three-octave E melodic minor scale in rest stroke (eighth-two-sixteenth pattern) In addition to the classical audition, guitarists who can perform the classical/symphonic audition requirements are encouraged.
- Commercial/Jazz Guitarists (electric guitar and bass) should prepare two jazz standards of contrasting styles and plan to improvise at least one chorus on each selection. Sight-reading of a standard lead sheet will also be included. Guitarists will also be asked to perform a three-octave E melodic minor scale in rest stroke (eighth-two-sixteenth pattern). In addition to the commercial/jazz audition, Pianists and Guitarists who can perform the classical/symphonic audition requirements are encouraged to do so.
- Pianists should prepare two (2) contrasting pieces from memory in different styles(Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary, Jazz, or original compositions are acceptable). Pianists will perform sight-reading once on campus if selected.
Instrumentalists will be judged on technique, interpretation, tone, intonation, sight-reading, and scales.
Submissions
Preparation:
- Camera: Most digital cameras, including cell phones, are perfectly fine for both the photos and videos for the adjudication. Professional photography or videography is neither required nor expected. Please ensure picture clarity. You may mount your camera on a tripod or have someone operate it for you. Auditions must be video recorded from the front, framing the whole body.
- Space: Use a space free from distractions, specifically background noise.
- Lighting: Ensure the lighting is adequate for the adjudicator to view, that you are not backlit, and that a lamp or sunlight is not coming through a window behind you.
- Each part should be one continuous recording with no edits or splicing.
- Compile the parts together into one video file OR
- You may do all parts as one continuous shot, pausing between each part to transition to the next part.
- All audition videos must be under ten minutes long
- You may record your parts multiple times and choose the best one to submit.
- Upload videos to YouTube (unlisted link), Google Drive, or Dropbox. Please ensure that our adjudicators can access the link.
- Create a Word document with your name, discipline, and links you created above.
- Save the Word doc as a PDF.
- Register for adjudication through Opus Event
- Upload the PDF document you created above
- Follow the instructions to record an answer to your question
