Instrumental Piece for Adjudication
Applicants from diverse backgrounds with ability in classical and/or commercial/jazz genres are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should be sure that their compositions are legal to use under copyright law. Several places are available to find music from: 1. All music applicants will perform two (2) contrasting prepared selections (2-3 minutes each) and a brief sight reading exercise. The use of any form of accompaniment for instrumental music will not be allowed.
2. Memorization of music will not be required.
Applicants should be sure that their compositions are legal to use under copyright law. Several places are available to find music from: 1. All music applicants will perform two (2) contrasting prepared selections (2-3 minutes each) and a brief sight reading exercise. The use of any form of accompaniment for instrumental music will not be allowed.
2. Memorization of music will not be required.
- Instrumentalists: Applicant must furnish two (2) sets of music: one for adjudicators, one for applicant use during audition. The repertoire should be set at a medium level of difficulty or higher.
- Compositions for auditions will be selected by the applicant from the standard solo repertoire for his/her instrument within the following guidelines: Instrumentalists 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. In addition, applicants will be required to perform three (3) scales selected by the judges from the twelve major and twelve minor scales (any form of minor will be acceptable). All scales should conform to the practical playing range of the applicant's instrument.
- Classical/Symphonic Percussionists will be required to present one of their two (2) prepared selections on a mallet instrument, to perform three (3) scales from the twelve major scales on a mallet percussion instrument, and to play snare drum rudiments. Large percussion instruments will be furnished ONLY upon request. The division gifted education coordinator or private school contact must notify the adjudication director of needed percussion instruments when the names of adjudicants are submitted in November. Percussionists who are able to perform the commercial/jazz audition requirements are encouraged to do so.
- Commercial/Jazz Percussionists will be required to perform the following grooves on drum-set: rock, funk, swing, jazz waltz and a 1-minute improvised drum solo. Sight-Read of standard drum set chart is included to gain a sense of the percussionist drum set chart reading ability. In addition to the commercial/jazz audition, percussionists who are able to perform the classical/symphonic audition requirements are encouraged to do so. A drum-set will be provided if noted in the adjudication request however, the student is encouraged to provide their own drum set for the commercial/jazz audition.
- Commercial/Jazz pianists and Guitarists (electric guitar and bass) will be required to perform a jazz standard from a lead sheet and will improvise at least one chorus on the selection. Sight-Reading of a standard chord chart (lead sheet) is included to gain a sense of commercial/Jazz reading ability. In addition to the commercial/jazz audition, Pianists and Guitarists who are able to perform the classical/symphonic audition requirements are encouraged to do so.
- Classical Pianists, Guitarists (acoustic), and Harpists should select two (2) pieces representative of two different style periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century, original composition). In addition, applicants will be required to perform three (3) scales selected by the judges from the twelve major and twelve minor scales (any form of minor will be acceptable). Pianists will perform scales hands together, four (4) octaves. A short sight-reading excerpt will be performed.
What Happens at Adjudication?
1. All music applicants will perform two (2) contrasting prepared selections (2-3 minutes each) and a brief sightreading exercise. The use of any form of accompaniment for instrumental music will not be allowed.
2. Scales for instrumentalists and pianists will be requested by key name, not concert pitch, and should be played at the following tempo:
4. Instrumentalists will be judged on:
2. Scales for instrumentalists and pianists will be requested by key name, not concert pitch, and should be played at the following tempo:
- Wind Instruments
- MM e = 60 performed in eighth note patterns (slur up, tongue down)
- String Instruments
- MM e = 60 eighth note patterns.
- Ascending: 2 slurred, 2 martelé; Descending: 4 slurred.
- Piano
- MM e = 80, 4 octaves, parallel in sixteenth note patterns
- Melodic Percussion
- MM e = 60, 2 octaves performed in eighth note patterns
4. Instrumentalists will be judged on:
- Technique
- Interpretation
- Tone
- Intonation
- Sight-reading
- Scales.