Auditions | CCYO

Music is the universal language. It allows us to communicate across cultural borders.

- Dr. Osman Kivrak, CCYO Director

NEW Audition Guidelines: Auditions for 2020-2021 will be by recording only.

- Click HERE for instructions on how to audition -

Auditions for new members will be considered beginning on September 1 and will close on September 11, 2020.

Returning members do not need to audition again unless moving to a different ensemble. Audition recordings to move to a different ensemble must be received by September 1.

Returning members: Payments due 1 September 2020

[Important note: All returning members are guaranteed a spot but MUST be registered and yearly or half yearly tuition paid by September 1, 2020]

New members: Registration and Payments due 20 September 2020

[Important note: New members who are accepted must be registered and

paid by September 20, 2020]

Additional payment information found on our Registration/Payment page.

Audition Information

Requirements for Prelude Strings

One octave D major scale. (Focus on good position and technique.)
#86 Ode to Joy, or #92 Can Can from Essential Elements book 1 (Or equivalent piece.)

Requirements for Encore Strings

One octave scales - C, G, A, F, B-flat; and the g melodic minor scale. (See links below.)
A prepared piece at MMEA grade level 2 or above. For example- Suzuki Volume Two, a grade 2 piece from the MMEA manual for Solo & Ensemble, or the excerpt linked below.
Students wishing to be placed in the 1st violin section should be prepared to demonstrate 3rd position. This can be a prepared etude, solo, or the provided excerpt.

Requirements for Encore Band

Two scales of your choice.
7th and 8th grade: p. 22 or 38 of Standard of Excellence Book 2. 6th grade: Sawmill Creek, p. 20 in Standard of Excellence book 1. If you don't have the music please email Takako Mato. (See contact page.)

Requirements for CCYO Strings

Two-octave major scales - C, G, D, A, F, B-flat, and E-flat; Violin/bass -- a melodic minor; viola/cello -- d melodic minor. Scales should be memorized and slurred 2 per bow.
Play a prepared piece at MMEA grade level 4 or above. (For example- Suzuki Volume 4, a solo piece at MMEA grade 4 piece, or the excerpt linked below). All solos need to demonstrate shifting.

Requirements for CCYO Woodwinds and Brass

Each student will be asked to perform the chromatic scale, beginning on a note of the student’s choosing, and major scales selected from the following keys: C, G, D, A, E, f, B-Flat, E-Flat, A-Flat. The scales must be performed from memory, evenly and smoothly in a 16th note pattern. All scales are to be played ascending and descending a minimum of one octave, except Flute and B-flat Clarinet who shall perform the scales a minimum of two octaves.
A solo piece at MMEA Grade 4 or higher. List provided here:

Requirements for CCYO Percussion

Percussion audition requirements are the same as for All-State auditions. The specific requirements can be found here.

Students should be prepared to audition on timpani and either snare drum or mallets.

A solo of MMEA Grade 4 or higher will be required on both instruments.

Students are responsible for bringing their own snare sticks, mallets, and a pitch source (tuning fork or pitch pipe) for tuning the timpani.

Timpani: Be able to tune all drums from a pitch source (tuning fork or pitch pipe). Demonstrate roll exercises from the All-State requirements (page 4).

Snare Drum: Rudiments from the All-State requirements (page 2)

Mallets: Two-octave scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats, plus a two-octave chromatic scale, in a 16th note pattern (page 3)