Audition Requirements
2019-2020 Audition Requirements and Eligibility
SONATA, Inc. Private Lesson Scholarships are opened to any 7th- 10th grade student musicians, or students who have previously been awarded a SONATA, Inc. scholarship. Awards are given based on a student economic need and the SONATA Scholarship Audition. During the audition students will be judged on pitch accuracy, tone quality, rhythmic accuracy, expressiveness, technique, sight-reading, musical effect, and ability to produce major scales.
7th-8th Brass, Woodwinds and Strings
When the student enters the room, he/she will be asked to:
1. Play a solo that demonstrates their highest level of ability. An
accompanist is not permitted. Students need to bring two (2) copies of their
sheet music for the judges.
2. Play 4 major scales of his/her choosing.
3. Play a short sight-reading exercise to demonstrate the student’s reading ability. The student will have thirty seconds to study the piece before playing it.
9th- 10th Brass, Woodwinds and Strings (11th-12th returning students)
When the student enters the room, he/she will be asked to:
1. Play a solo that demonstrates their highest level of ability. Though it is not mandatory, it is recommended that the solo showcases both lyrical and technical ability. An accompanist is not permitted. Students need to bring two (2) copies of their sheet music for the judges.
2. Play a chromatic scale covering the GMEA All-State range of instrument.
The scale will be performed in even eighth notes. The scale will be tongued ascending and slurred descending where applicable. Scale is to be memorized.
3. Play 6 major scales from memory complete with arpeggios. Scales are to be performed a minimum of 2 octaves where possible. Students who wish to play a 3rd octave may do so. All The scales are to be tongued ascending and slurred descending where applicable. Scales will be performed in the following order, starting with the concert key of: G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab.
4. A short sight-reading exercise(s) to demonstrate the student’s reading ability. The student will have thirty seconds to study the piece before playing it.
7th-10th Piano (11th-12th returning students)
When the student enters the room, he/she will be asked to:
1. Play a solo that demonstrates their highest level of ability. Though it is not mandatory, it is recommended that the solo showcases both lyrical and technical ability. Students need to bring two (2) copies of their sheet music for the judges.
2. Play 4 major scales of his/her choosing.
3. Play a short sight-reading exercise to demonstrate the student’s reading ability. The student will have thirty seconds to study the piece before playing it.
7th-10th Vocal Students (11th-12th returning students):
When the student enters the room, he/she will be asked to:
1. Perform one piece from memory that is required for their level. Students need to bring two (2) copies of their sheet music for the judges.
2. A short sight-reading exercise(s) to demonstrate the student’s reading ability. The student will have thirty seconds to study the piece before playing it.
2. Perform a major scale and minor scale using solfege.