Audition Information

All VPA Music students are required to take Music Theory and Ensemble/Master Class. Be aware that both the Music Theory and Ensemble/Master Class will be FULL YEAR courses.

Call Mr. Rosenblatt at 941-355-2967 to schedule an Audition Appointment.


CONCERT CHOIR (Vocal Ens.)

Both VPA and NON-VPA students are eligible to participate in Concert Choir (Full Year). ALL students must audition to gain admittance to the Concert Choir. Click here to see and download the audition information. All students will be required to perform one Music Jury (solo performance for a grade in front of the Music Faculty and music students) per term. The Jury constitutes 30% of the semester grade.

Students auditioning for Concert Choir and admittance to the VPA program must complete the following:
1) Take a short and basic Music Theory test (5 minute time limit).
2) Perform the required audition material.
3) Perform a two minute excerpt of a piece of the auditionee's choosing. This piece can be in any style, but please try to choose something that shows off the voice in terms of range and technique.
4) A Range Check and Pitch Matching exercise will be conducted by the instructor.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Both VPA and NON-VPA students are eligible to participate in Jazz Ensemble. This is a FULL YEAR course. All students must audition to participate in the Jazz Ensemble. Click here to see and download the audition information. Students will be required to perform one Music Jury (solo performance for a grade in front of the Music Faculty and music students) per semester. The Jury constitutes 30% of the semester grade.

All students interested in auditioning for JAZZ ENSEMBLE must complete the WIND ENSEMBLE audition with the exception of Guitar, Piano, and Bass players.

Due to the nature of a Jazz Ensemble, meaning one player per part...

Jazz Ensemble auditions will be held during the first week of school.

Students auditioning for the Jazz Ensemble must complete the following:
Trombone/Guitar/Piano/Bass
1) Perform the required audition piece "Bird Without A Net".
2) OPTIONAL: Improvise 2-4 choruses on a 12-bar "Blues in Bb." (Music and Accompaniment provided here.) The improvisation portion of the audition must be performed WITH the accompaniment.
3) Students will be asked to perform a short sight-reading excerpt.
Drums
1) Be able to demonstrate as many of the following drum styles as possible: Swing, Bossa Nova, Samba, Rock, Funk, Jazz Ballad with BRUSHES.
2) Demonstrate in SWING style 4 measure phrases with FILLS.
3) Perform the required audition piece "Standing Room Only".
Trumpet/Saxophone
1) Perform the required audition piece "Moose The Mooche".
2) OPTIONAL: Improvise 2-4 choruses on a 12-bar "Blues in Bb." (Music and Accompaniment provided here.) The improvisation portion of the audition must be performed WITH the accompaniment.
3) Students will be asked to perform a short sight-reading excerpt.
4) TRUMPETS ONLY: Range/Seating excerpt - "Things Ain't What They Used To Be". All auditionees MUST learn AT LEAST the TRUMPET 2 & 3 part. This portion of the audition is for range and seating. Learn in the following order: Trumpet 3, Trumpet 2, Trumpet 1.

WIND ENSEMBLE (Instrumental Ens.)

Both VPA and NON-VPA students are eligible to participate in Wind Ensemble. All students will be required to perform one Music Jury (solo performance for a grade in front of the Music Faculty and music students) per semester. The Jury constitutes 30% of the semester grade.

1) Take a short and basic Music Theory test.
2) Perform the required audition material for your instrument.
3) Perform a short excerpt (at least 32 measures) of a piece of your own choosing. This piece should preferably be from the FBA Solo and Ensemble List. Excerpts from band class literature are NOT accepted; SOLO REPERTOIRE ONLY!
4) A short sight reading etude.
5) Perform the following scales: F, Bb, Eb, Ab, C, and a Chromatic Scale (You can start on a note of your own choosing). Percussionists will play their scales on the Xylophone.
Percussion only:
o Play BOTH the Snare Drum and Xylophone excerpts found on the website.
o Play an accelerated and decelerated double stroke roll on the snare drum.
o Sight read an excerpt on BOTH the Snare Drum and Xylophone

STRING ENSEMBLE

String players auditioning for the String Ensemble should be prepared to perform the following:
1) SCALES - Three major scales of the player's choice. Violins and Violas - two octaves, three if possible. Celli and Bass - two octaves.
2) PREPARED PIECE - Choose one Etude from any of the standard Etude books (such as Kreutzer, Mazas, Wohlfahrt, Campagnoli, Gavinies, etc.) or a Solo Piece of your choosing. This piece should adequately demonstrate proficiency on the instrument.
3) SIGHT READING - The student will be asked to sight read a short excerpt written for their respective instrument.
4) MUSIC THEORY - Take a basic Music Theory Test (5 minute time limit.)

Both VPA and NON-VPA students are eligible to participate in String Ensemble. All students will be required to perform one Music Jury (solo performance for a grade in front of the Music Faculty and music students) per semester. The Jury constitutes 30% of the semester grade.

PIANO MASTERCLASS (Keyboarding)

Both VPA and NON-VPA students are eligible to participate in Piano Masterclass. All students will be required to perform one Music Jury (solo performance for a grade in front of the Music Faculty and music students) per semester. The Jury constitutes 30% of the semester grade.


Students auditioning for Piano Masterclass and admittance to the VPA program must complete the following:
1) Theory: Take a short and basic Music Theory test (5 minute time limit).
2) Technique: play one set of Scales and/or arpeggios of the following three sets: 1) E major/c# minor;
2) B Major /g# minor; 3) Eb Major/c minor. Students may play hands separately or hands together for one octave or more both ascending and descending.
3) Sight Reading: Play a short and simple excerpt of a piece in an appropriate level chosen by the instructor.
4) Repertoire: Perform one or two piece(s) of the auditionee's choosing. This piece must be in classical style which exhibits student's abilities and strengths.

GUITAR MASTERCLASS

Both VPA and NON-VPA students are eligible to participate in Guitar Masterclass. All students will be required to perform one Music Jury (solo performance for a grade in front of the Music Faculty and music students) per semester. The Jury constitutes 30% of the semester grade.

Students auditioning for Guitar Master Class and Guitar Ensemble at the Booker VPA music program must complete the following:

1) Take a basic music theory test.
2) Perform the required set piece. Click here for Download.
3) Perform a C major scale in the first position.
4) Perform basic chords in the first position, like C, G, D, A, E, B7, a-minor, d-minor, e-minor etc.
5) Sight-read a simple and short melody line.
6) Perform one piece of the applicant's own choice. The piece should not be longer than 3 minutes. The style of the composition should be classical or finger picking style. No plectrums, please.
7) The performance should be on a classical (nylon string) guitar. No electric guitars or steel string guitars, please. In case the applicant has no classical guitar available, the school will provide an instrument for the duration of the audition.


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