RUTH BORUN CONCERT ORCHESTRA

Students interested in being considered for the Ruth Borun Concert Orchestra (intermediate) should prepare the following:

SCALES—Perform one major and one minor scale in at least two octaves from memory. Know the three different forms of the minor scale: natural, harmonic, and melodic. We evaluate scales on technique, intonation, and tone.

EXCERPTS: Prepare all of the Ruth Borun Concert Orchestra excerpts for your instrument.

LINK to Ruth Borun Concert Orchestra Audition Excerpts

ALSO —Listen to at least ONE recording of the pieces from which the excerpts are taken. 

Auditions are evaluated on dynamics, tempi, phrasing, tone, intonation, and ability to count rests accurately.

SIGHT-READING—Take one or two minutes to silently analyze the sight reading excerpt. First determine the tempo, key signature, and time signature of the piece. Then examine each phrase. Notice the rhythms and accidentals. Notice changes in register that will require shifting or changes in embouchure or fingering. Identify the most difficult section technically and imagine the speed you can accurately play it. Don’t choose a tempo faster than that speed. After going in your head through the entire excerpt, hold up your instrument, count a full measure silently in the tempo you choose, and then play. Keep rhythm steady and count rests accurately without stopping. Correct rhythm and counting is more important than correct notes while sight reading. It is OK to make mistakes as long as you keep going.

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Students interested in being considered for Symphony Orchestra (advanced) should prepare the following:

SCALES—Perform one major and one minor scale in at least three octaves from memory. Be comfortable playing major scales and all three forms of the minor scale in every key. For Symphony Orchestra, scales should be performed musically (expressively). We evaluate scales on technique (especially smooth shifting and bow control), clean intonation, and strength and clarity of sound.

EXCERPTS: Prepare all of the Symphony Orchestra excerpts for your instrument. 

LINK to Symphony Orchestra Audition Excerpts

Expectations are higher for Symphony Orchestra auditions than RBCO. We assume students can play the notes and rhythms correctly. Now we listen for a wide range of dynamics, a clear and expressive tone, and above all, the ability to convey the character of the music. You should be able to play in a way that conveys the feeling of the part played in an orchestra. Listen to SEVERAL recordings from different orchestras to hear how different players and sections interpret the music and to become familiar with the music the rest of the orchestra is playing. When there is a rest in the part, you should be able to hear in your head what the rest of the orchestra plays at that moment so that you not only count rests correctly, but re-enter as if you are playing along with the orchestra.

SIGHT READING—For Symphony Orchestra auditions, rather than reading music note to note, you should now be reading music in chunks of phrases. Look over the excerpt silently, identify the phrase chunks, and imagine how you will play them. Notice not only the notes and rhythms, but the dynamics and articulation marks. Determine fingering. Notice the climax of the excerpt so that you can build towards and away from it. Choose a tempo that will allow you to play the most technically difficult part. Sight reading is evaluated on how well the character of the music is revealed. As always, steady tempo and rhythm is more important than accuracy of pitches. Orchestras can’t wait for a player to catch up!