Audition to join YOCJ!

Young musicians (elementary through high school) are all welcomed to audition for The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey in January, June, and September.

Students MUST study privately and be enrolled in either their school band or orchestra in order to become and remain a member of YOCJ. Recommendation by the student’s private teacher is required. Homeschoolers are also invited to audition!

***Click HERE for the Registration link, complete audition information, & upcoming dates.***

Please scroll down below to find the musical requirements for your particular instrument.

Violin

  • 3 octave scale of student’s choice
  • Solo must demonstrate fluency in 1st position with extensions, and fluency in 3rd position, such as Suzuki Bk. 4 or above (or equivalent).
  • Sight reading; including knowledge of note names, sharps and flats
  • Students must be entering OR in Grades 4-12.

Viola

  • 2 or 3 octave scale of student’s choice, which demonstrates shifting into 3rd position or higher
  • Solo must demonstrate fluency in 1st position with extensions; familiarity with 3rd positions, such as Suzuki Bk.3 or above (or equivalent).
  • Sight reading; including knowledge of note names, sharps and flats
  • Students must be entering OR in Grades 4-12.

Cello

  • 2 or 3 octave scale of student’s choice, which demonstrates shifting into 4th position or higher
  • Solo must demonstrate fluency in 1st position with extensions; familiarity with 2nd and 4th position, such as Suzuki Bk. 3 or above (or equivalent).
  • Sight reading; including knowledge of note names, sharps and flats
  • Students must be entering OR in Grades 4-12.

String Bass

  • 1 octave Bb & D Major Scales; 2 octave G Major Scale
  • Solo demonstrating facility in neck positions
  • Sight reading; including knowledge of note names, sharps and flats
  • Students must be entering OR in Grades 4-12.

Woodwinds & Brass

  • All major scales should be played in the rhythm as indicated below in as many octaves as possible. Students should be prepared to play either tongued or slurred.  Tempo suggestion:  choose a tempo that best demonstrates even and accurate playing, no slower than quarter note = 90 beats per minute.
    Wind Symphony: up to 4 sharps and 4 flats.
    Symphonic Orchestra: all 12 major scales. (high school students are eligible to audition.)
  • All chromatic scales should be played slurred as indicated below, in as many octaves as possible.  Tempo suggestion:  choose a tempo that best demonstrates even and accurate playing, no slower than quarter note = 70 beats per minute.
  • Solo demonstrating best ability. For example, current Region and/or All State solos or an equivalent solo are acceptable. For students participating in the Symphonic Orchestra Promotion Auditions: special Symphonic excerpts are given out upon request.
  • Sight reading; including knowledge of note names, sharps and flats
    Questions on any specific woodwind & brass requirements should be directed to Scott Collins at scollins.music@gmail.com

Saxophone Ensemble

  • Students must be entering OR in Grades 6-9.
  • Major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats memorized (C, D, Eb, E, F, G, Ab, A, Bb).  All scales must be played two octaves when possible.
  • 2 octave Chromatic Scale from low C to high C
  • A piece of solo classical music at or above the level of Essential Elements Book 2 (preferably higher).  Duets or band music will not be accepted. Examples include Romance by William Grant Still, Suite by Richard Lane, Six Studies in English Folk Song, by Ralph Vaughan Williams (transc.).
  • Sight reading; including knowledge of note names, sharps and flats
  • Instrumental assignments are chosen at the discretion of the director.  Depending on your audition results, you may be asked to play on a saxophone other than the one you auditioned on.  These saxophones will be provided for you by the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey if necessary.  Questions should be directed to Dr. Jordan Smith.

Saxophone Choir

  • Must be entering OR in at least 9th grade, and above, to audition.
  • All Major Scales memorized at 120bpm in 16th notes, slurred. All two octave scales must be played two octaves.(excluding F# if no high F# key)
  • Full-range chromatic scale from low Bb to high F/F# (ascending and descending) at a minimum of 110bpm in 16th notes, slurred.
  • A piece of early college level classical saxophone music.  Examples include Eccles Sonata, Fasch Sonata, Lunde Sonata, Maurice Tableaux de Provence, Bozza Aria, Glazunov Concerto, Milhaud Scaramouche.
  • Sight reading; including knowledge of note names, sharps and flats
  • Instrumental assignments are chosen at the discretion of the director.  Depending on your audition results, you may be asked to play on a saxophone other than the one you auditioned on.  These saxophones will be provided for you by YOCJ if necessary.  Questions should be directed to Dr. Jordan Smith.

Percussion

  • Snare Drum: short etude; sight-reading
  • Two Timpani: short etude; sight-reading; demonstrate tuning
  • Mallet Instrument: short etude; sight-reading
  • Sight reading; including knowledge of note names, sharps and flats

Recommended audition material can consist of excerpts from:

  • New Jersey Region audition
  • Orchestral experts
  • Classical etudes from Modern Studies and Etudes for the Total Percussionist
  • Snare Drum- Portraits In Rhythm, Podemski
  • Keyboard Percussion- Classical sonatas from Corelli, Handel, etc.
  • Modern from School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone
  • Timpani- Etudes from Modern Method for Timpani, Exercises, Etudes and Solos for the Timpani by Raynor Carroll 
    Students are welcome to audition on 2 out of 3 of the percussion instruments required.
    Students auditioning on all three components of percussion will receive stronger consideration for acceptance.