THE MUSIC ACADEMY AT CCTS.

THE MUSIC ACADEMY AT CCTS Audition requirements for Instrumentalists applying for acceptance into The Music Academy at Camden County Technical Schools www.ccts.org

YOUR MUSIC ACADEMY AUDITION DATE Gloucester Township Campus 343 Berlin Cross Keys Road Sicklerville, NJ 08081 To schedule an audition or ask questions, please call Ms. Suzanne Golt, Admissions Officer, (856) 767-7000 x 5415 or email admissions@ccts.net.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome / Music Academy Overview and Philosophy 1 Audition Tips 2 AUDITION REQUIREMENTS BY INSTRUMENT Flute 5 Oboe 7 Bassoon 9 Clarinet 11 Bass Clarinet 13 Alto Saxophone 15 Tenor Saxophone 17 Trumpet 19 Horn 21 Trombone 23 Euphonium 25 Tuba 27 Percussion 29 Violin 36 Viola 38 Violoncello 40 Double Bass 42

Dear Music Academy Candidate, Thank you for your interest in the Music Academy at Camden County Technical Schools. As a performing musician, you will be asked to prepare an audition to demonstrate specific musical skills on voice or on a standard concert band or orchestral string instrument. Audition requirements for each instrument are described in detail in this booklet, so use this material as your guide as you prepare for your audition. You may audition for the Music Academy at CCTS either on voice, on an instrument, or on both. If, however, you are accepted on both, you will be required to choose only one as your major for the purpose of class scheduling. You have made an important and thoughtful decision to audition for the Music Academy at CCTS. Acceptance into this program is highly competitive, and we extend to you our best wishes as you prepare your audition! Douglas Schmidt, Instrumental Music Academy Jessica Thomas, Vocal Music Academy MUSIC ACADEMY OVERVIEW AND PHILOSOPHY The program of study within the Music Academy at CCTS is designed to nurture the creative talents and aspirations of its students within an academic college preparatory program. The Music Academy presents comprehensive and sequential curricula in both vocal and instrumental music in conjunction with a rigorous pre-college academic program at our Gloucester Township Campus. Our graduates demonstrate mastery of advanced skills that enable them to become productive, competitive, and self-directed lifelong learners who recognize, appreciate, and respect excellence in the arts, superior academic achievement, and persons of exceptional character. Music Academy students engage in an extensive study of instrumental or vocal performance, elementary and advanced harmony (written music theory), sight-singing and ear training (aural theory), music history, piano, keyboard harmony, and the technique of orchestration. During the senior year of study, students are prepared to audition for, and gain acceptance into, the most highly competitive college and university schools of music throughout the United States. 1

AUDITION TIPS AUDITION PERFORMANCE GOALS A successful audition demonstrates accomplishment of technical skills and musical artistry that far exceeds the musical expressions printed on the page. There are three simple steps to achieving this goal. Practice Slowly Work on difficult passages using a metronome. Increase speed only when you have comfortably mastered all musical elements at slower tempos. Practice Often There is no substitute for practicing. Perform for others before your audition. Record your performances, critique yourself honestly, and then invite others to listen and critique you. Perform with Confidence Your audition selections should be performed with emotion and confidence. Put yourself into the music, and practice communicating with your audience as you master the technical aspects of your music. ONE YEAR BEFORE YOUR AUDITION 1. Keep your grades up! Before you can schedule an audition date, you must first qualify for admission to Camden County Technical Schools. Your academic performance ( your grades ), your behavior record, and your recent test scores all inform CCTS admission decisions. 2. Schedule weekly private lessons. Call (856) 767-7000 x 4215 for a list of local outstanding, reasonably priced private teachers. 3. Schedule time to work with your school music teacher! THREE MONTHS BEFORE YOUR AUDITION 4. Decide on which instrument(s) you plan to audition, and then begin to prepare. Specific audition requirements for each instrument are found on the following pages. 5. Develop a practice schedule. Remember to include time for other activities, such as homework, co-curricular school activities, sports, volunteer work, etc. 6. Take your instrument to a reputable repair shop to ensure it is in perfect working condition! Your audition preparation will be entirely lost if your instrument does not function exactly as it is intended to. 7. Schedule an audition date. The Music Academy at CCTS has finite enrollment, and openings fill quickly! Call Ms. Suzanne Golt, Admissions Officer, at (856) 767-7000 x 5415 or email admissions@ccts.net. 8. Practice slowly with a metronome. Practice the most difficult passages first and most often. Work solo excerpts and scales in sections. 9. Do your homework about the music s stylistic period, musical terms, tempos, phrases and form, proper ornamentation (trills, etc.), and text. 10. Practice sight reading once per week, minimum. 11. Continue taking private lessons and working with your school music teacher! 2

ONE MONTH BEFORE YOUR AUDITION 12. Clean your instrument, and be sure it is in perfect working condition! 13. You should now be comfortable performing all pitches, rhythms, accidentals, dynamics, bowings, musical expressions, and text. 14. Be musical! Exaggerate, and do more than what is printed on the page. 15. Practice sight reading once each day, at minimum. 16. Record your performance, and critique yourself. Invite others to provide comments and critique. Do not become defensive when others are critical; remember, you will have invited their comments, and they are trying to help you succeed. 17. Perform for others as much as possible! ONE WEEK BEFORE YOUR AUDITION 18. Perform for others several times daily! 19. If necessary, photocopy certain pages to eliminate awkward page turns. 20. Take good care of yourself, eat healthy, and get plenty of rest. 21. Clean your instrument, and be sure it is in perfect working condition! 22. Write the introduction you will announce at your performance. Include your name, your grade in school, the name of your school, and a single interesting aspect of the piece to listen for (style, rhythm, form, technique, melody, etc.) 23. Arrange a dress rehearsal with friends so you can practice the sequence of tuning, reciting your introduction, and executing your performance. ON THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR AUDITION 24. Review your schedule for the next day, and be sure your sheet music is ready. 25. Write thank you cards to everyone who helped you prepare for your audition. 26. Decide what you ll wear to the audition. This is a special day, and you should plan to dress up. Do not wear jeans, sneakers, t-shirts, hats, etc. 28. Drink plenty of fluids that do not contain caffeine. ON THE MORNING OF YOUR AUDITION 29. Double-check your instrument and sheet music. Bring extra reeds, strings, or supplies to avoid an emergency. 31. Plan to arrive at your audition 15-20 minutes early. You should anticipate heavy traffic, road construction, and unfamiliar directions. It reflects poorly on both the student and the family to arrive late. AT THE AUDITION SITE 32. Arrive in plenty of time to locate the music room. 33. Carefully warm-up, stretch, and tune. 34. While some nervousness is normal, the best way to reduce nervousness is to be as prepared as possible. 3

IMMEDIATELY BEFORE YOU PERFORM 35. Prepare your instrument (wet reeds, warm-up, empty water keys, etc.) 36. Tune to an electronic tuner or the piano. 37. Smile and announce your name, your grade in school, the name of your school, the name of each scale, and one interesting aspect of the piece to listen for (style, rhythm, form, technique, melody, etc.). Articulate well, and speak maturely. 38. Position yourself so the judge can easily see what you re doing. 39. Prepare yourself, mentally. 40. Now is your opportunity to show everyone what you can do. Let mistakes go by, and enjoy making music! WHEN YOU RE FINISHED 41. Listen carefully to any constructive comments the judges may give you. 42. Thank the judges for evaluating your performance. 43. Be proud of what you ve accomplished because you have given your best to your audition performance! A WORD ABOUT SIGHT-READING At your audition, you will be asked to sight-read. Practice sight-reading at least once Per week beginning three months out. Practice sight-reading at least once daily beginning one month out. Sight-read only unfamiliar passages of music. Before you begin to play, take 60 seconds to check the passage for the following musical elements using the STARS acronym: S - Sharps or flats in the key signature T - Time signatures, tempo markings, and text if you re singing lyrics A - Accidentals and Articulations (string bowings, accents, slurs, trills, staccato markings, tenuto markings) R - Rhythm (isolate difficult rhythm passages, and subdivide them) S - Signs (dynamics, DC, DS, al Fine, al Coda, repeats, changing time signatures, changing tempos, etc.) A FINAL WORD ABOUT WIND / PERCUSSION / STRING AUDITIONS Memorize all scales and arpeggios. Be prepared to perform as many complete octaves as you can in a steady, unchanging tempo, and with the correct articulation pattern. Your solo excerpt was chosen to challenge you, and while the judges do not expect it to be perfect, they do expect to hear that you made a great effort over many weeks. 4

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR FLUTE The four (4) diatonic scales and one (1) chromatic scale printed below are required for your flute audition. ALL SCALES MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY. Diatonic scales are to be tongued at a minimum tempo of q=100 and in the pattern QEEEEEEQ where Q = a quarter note, and E = an eighth note. The chromatic scale is to be played in slurred sixteenth notes. 5

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR FLUTE, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your flute audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED. This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on flute; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 6

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR OBOE The four (4) diatonic scales and one (1) chromatic scale printed below are required for your oboe audition. ALL SCALES MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY. Diatonic scales are to be tongued at a minimum tempo of q=100 and in the pattern QEEEEEEQ where Q = a quarter note, and E = an eighth note. The chromatic scale is to be played in slurred sixteenth notes. 7

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR OBOE, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your oboe audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on oboe; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 8

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR BASSOON The four (4) diatonic scales and one (1) chromatic scale printed below are required for your bassoon audition. ALL SCALES MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY. Diatonic scales are to be tongued at a minimum tempo of q=100 and in the pattern QEEEEEEQ where Q = a quarter note, and E = an eighth note. The chromatic scale is to be played in slurred sixteenth notes. 9

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR BASSOON, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your bassoon audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED. This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on bassoon; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 10

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR CLARINET The four (4) diatonic scales and one (1) chromatic scale printed below are required for your clarinet audition. ALL SCALES MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY. Diatonic scales are to be tongued at a minimum tempo of q=100 and in the pattern QEEEEEEQ where Q = a quarter note, and E = an eighth note. The chromatic scale is to be played in slurred sixteenth notes. 11

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR CLARINET, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your clarinet audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED. This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on clarinet; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 12

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR BASS CLARINET The four (4) diatonic scales and one (1) chromatic scale printed below are required for your bass clarinet audition. ALL SCALES MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY. Diatonic scales are to be tongued at a minimum tempo of q=100 and in the pattern QEEEEEEQ where Q = a quarter note, and E = an eighth note. The chromatic scale is to be played in slurred sixteenth notes. 13

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR BASS CLARINET, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your bass clarinet audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED. This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on bass clarinet; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 14

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTO SAXOPHONE The four (4) diatonic scales and one (1) chromatic scale printed below are required for your alto saxophone audition. ALL SCALES MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY. Diatonic scales are to be tongued at a minimum tempo of q=100 and in the pattern QEEEEEEQ where Q = a quarter note, and E = an eighth note. The chromatic scale is to be played in slurred sixteenth notes. 15

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTO SAXOPHONE, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your alto saxophone audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on alto saxophone; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 16

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR TENOR SAXOPHONE The four (4) diatonic scales and one (1) chromatic scale printed below are required for your alto saxophone audition. ALL SCALES MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY Diatonic scales are to be tongued at a minimum tempo of q=100 and in the pattern QEEEEEEQ where Q = a quarter note, and E = an eighth note. The chromatic scale is to be played in slurred sixteenth notes. 17

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR TENOR SAXOPHONE, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your tenor saxophone audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on tenor saxophone; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 18

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR TRUMPET The four (4) diatonic scales and one (1) chromatic scale printed below are required for your trumpet audition. ALL SCALES MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY Diatonic scales are to be tongued at a minimum tempo of q=100 and in the pattern QEEEEEEQ where Q = a quarter note, and E = an eighth note. The chromatic scale is to be played in slurred sixteenth notes. 19

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR TRUMPET, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your trumpet audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on trumpet; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 20

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR HORN The four (4) diatonic scales and one (1) chromatic scale printed below are required for your horn audition. ALL SCALES MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY Diatonic scales are to be tongued at a minimum tempo of q=100 and in the pattern QEEEEEEQ where Q = a quarter note, and E = an eighth note. The chromatic scale is to be played in slurred sixteenth notes. 21

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR HORN, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your horn audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on horn; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 22

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR TROMBONE The four (4) diatonic scales and one (1) chromatic scale printed below are required for your trombone audition. ALL SCALES MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY. Diatonic scales are to be tongued at a minimum tempo of q=100 and in the pattern QEEEEEEQ where Q = a quarter note, and E = an eighth note. The chromatic scale is to be played in slurred sixteenth notes. 23

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR TROMBONE, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your trombone audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on trombone; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 24

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR EUPHONIUM The four (4) diatonic scales and one (1) chromatic scale printed below are required for your euphonium audition. ALL SCALES MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY. Diatonic scales are to be tongued at a minimum tempo of q=100 and in the pattern QEEEEEEQ where Q = a quarter note, and E = an eighth note. The chromatic scale is to be played in slurred sixteenth notes. 25

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR EUPHONIUM, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your euphonium audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on euphonium; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 26

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR BB-FLAT TUBA The four (4) diatonic scales and one (1) chromatic scale printed below are required for your BB-flat tuba audition. ALL SCALES MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY. Diatonic scales are to be tongued at a minimum tempo of q=100 and in the pattern QEEEEEEQ where Q = a quarter note, and E = an eighth note. The chromatic scale is to be played in slurred sixteenth notes. 27

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR BB-FLAT TUBA, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your BB-flat tuba audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED. This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on BB-flat tuba; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 28

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR PERCUSSION (MALLETS) The two (2) diatonic scales and one (1) chromatic scale printed below are to be played on xylophone, and are required for your percussion audition. ALL SCALES MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY. Diatonic scales are to be tongued at a minimum tempo of q=100 and in the pattern QEEEEEEQ where Q = a quarter note, and E = an eighth note. The chromatic scale is to be played in sixteenth notes. 29

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR PERCUSSION (MALLETS), continued The solo excerpt printed below is to be played on xylophone, and are required for your percussion audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED. This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on xylophone; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 30

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR PERCUSSION (TIMPANI) The requirements printed below are to be played on timpani, and are required for your percussion audition. You will be asked to Tune two timpani by ear to F2 and C3, played by the student on orchestral bells, in three attempts or fewer. Perform a long roll at various dynamic levels. Perform a sfz roll. Perform a fp roll. 31

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR PERCUSSION (TIMPANI), continued The solo excerpt printed below is to be played on timpani, and is required for your percussion audition. THE EXCEROT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on trombone; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 32

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR PERCUSSION (SNARE DRUM) The percussion rudiments printed below are to be played on snare drum, and are required for all percussion auditions. PREPARE JUST ONE (1) RUDIMENT FROM EACH CATEGORY RUDIMENTS MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY. 33

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR PERCUSSION (SNARE DRUM), continued The solo excerpt printed below is to be played on snare drum, and is required for your percussion audition. THE EXCERPT NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED. This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on snare drum; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 34

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR PERCUSSION (TRAPS) The traps excerpts printed below are to be played on the instruments indicated and are required for all percussion auditons. TRAPS EXERPTS NEED NOT BE MEMORIZED. 35

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR VIOLIN The two (2) diatonic major scales and one (1) major arpeggio printed below are required for your violin audition. ALL SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY IT NO VIBRATO. Each diatonic major scale is to be played twice, and in the following manner: Separate bows, each note played as a quarter note at q=104 Slurred bows, eight (8) notes per bow, played as a eighth notes at q=104 The major apreggio is to be played only once in slurred eighth note triplets. 36

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR VIOLIN, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your violin audition. THE EXCERPT NEED TO BE MEMORIZED. This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on violin; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 37

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR VIOLA The two (2) diatonic major scales and one (1) major arpeggio printed below are required for your viola audition. ALL SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY IT NO VIBRATO. Each diatonic major scale is to be played twice, and in the following manner: Separate bows, each note played as a quarter note at q=104 Slurred bows, eight (8) notes per bow, played as a eighth notes at q=104 The major apreggio is to be played only once in slurred eighth note triplets. 38

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR VIOLA, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your viola audition. THE EXCERPT NEED TO BE MEMORIZED. This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on viola; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 39

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR VIOLONCELLO The two (2) diatonic major scales and one (1) major arpeggio printed below are required for your violoncello audition. ALL SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY IT NO VIBRATO. Each diatonic major scale is to be played twice, and in the following manner: Separate bows, each note played as a quarter note at q=104 Slurred bows, eight (8) notes per bow, played as a eighth notes at q=104 The major apreggio is to be played only once in slurred eighth note triplets. 40

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR VIOLONCELLO, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your violoncello audition. THE EXCERPT NEED TO BE MEMORIZED. This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on violoncello; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 41

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR DOUBLE BASS The two (2) diatonic major scales and one (1) major arpeggio printed below are required for your double bass audition. ALL SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS MUST BE PLAYED FROM MEMORY IT NO VIBRATO.. Each diatonic major scale is to be played twice, and in the following manner: Separate bows, each note played as a quarter note at q=104 Slurred bows, four (4) notes per bow, played as a eighth notes at q=104 The major apreggio is to be played only once in slurred eighth note triplets. 42

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR DOUBLE BASS, continued The solo excerpt printed below is required for your double bass audition. THE EXCERPT NEED TO BE MEMORIZED. This excerpt may exceed your current skill level on double bass; it was chosen to challenge you. Nonetheless, you should do your best to learn all pitches, accidentals, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, and musical expressions. 43