CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL AUDITIONS

Auditions for Mr. Ebersole’s Upper School Classical Instrumental ensembles will place students for these classes:

• Chamber Music (piano, strings, winds)

• String Ensemble (strings, harp)

Auditions for Fall 2025 will be held in person (for students accessible to campus) and via Zoom (for students unable to come to campus) in 15 minute slots on:

• Tuesday, May 27:
  Zoom auditions, 8:00-9:45 am, 15 minute slots
  In person and Zoom auditions, 3:00-5:00 pm, 15 minute slots

• Wednesday, May 28
  Zoom auditions, 8:00-9:45 am, 15 minute slots
  In person and Zoom auditions, 3:00-5:00 pm, 15 minute slots

Prerequisites: Successful participation in current school ensemble in 2024-2025. 

If you are interested in enrolling in one of these ensemble classes for 2025-2026 contact Mr. Ebersole (curt.ebersole@mastersny.org) to schedule the time for your audition, and see the specific audition materials for each instrument, below. Auditions will be scheduled in person (preferred) or via Zoom (out of local area/international). As a new student, choose either String Ensemble or Intro to Chamber Music when enrolling in courses; final placement will be determined after your audition.

For Middle School Orchestra: Note that auditions for will take place for all MS players on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 during the MS co-curricular period. Players are asked to bring their own music -- something familiar and comfortable to play. 

For all Upper School auditions, please prepare:

1. The major scales indicated for your instrument, 1-3 octaves, according to your ability. Wind players, please tongue the major scales. Strings, 1 bow per note (I may ask you to bow 2 and/or 4 notes per bow as well).

2. The excerpt below that you feel best fits your stage of development: Intermediate or Advanced (note that there are two options for advanced audition music options in some cases). Please prepare as much of the material as you are comfortable. In the long run, I'd rather hear less material played very well than struggling through the entire selection.

3. I will also ask you to sight-read a short excerpt (a PDF will be emailed to you just prior to the audition if playing via Zoom). Please note that advanced sight-reading abilities are required for pianists registering for Chamber Music.

VIOLIN

Major scales in G, A, E

Choose one of these musical excerpts: Intermediate – Advanced #1 – Advanced #2 (Allegro vivace only)

Be ready to sight read at the audition. Feel free to bring additional prepared music you have practiced with your private teacher.

VIOLA

Major scales in G, A, E

Choose one of these musical excerpts: Intermediate – Advanced (first movement only)

Be ready to sight read at the audition. Feel free to bring additional prepared music you have practiced with your private teacher.

CELLO

Major scales in G, A, E

Choose one of these musical excerpts: Intermediate – Advanced #1 – Advanced #2 (Allegro vivace only)

Be ready to sight read at the audition. Feel free to bring additional prepared music you have practiced with your private teacher.

CONTRABASS

Major scales in G, A, E

Choose one of these musical excerpts: Intermediate – Advanced

Be ready to sight read at the audition. Feel free to bring additional prepared music you have practiced with your private teacher.

PIANO

Major scales (2 hands, parallel motion, 4 octaves) in G, A, E

Prepare this musical excerpt, up to letter |A| on page 4 (the third page of the manuscript):

Intermediate/Advanced (Weber - Terzettino, all pages)

Be ready to sight read at the audition. Feel free to bring additional prepared music you have practiced with your private teacher.

FLUTE

Major scales in Bb, Ab, G

Prepare one of these musical excerpts: Intermediate (first movement only) – Advanced (first movement only)

Be ready to sight read at the audition. Feel free to bring additional prepared music you have practiced with your private teacher.

OBOE

Major scales in Bb, Ab, G

Prepare this musical excerpt: Intermediate/Advanced (first movement only)

Be ready to sight read at the audition. Feel free to bring additional prepared music you have practiced with your private teacher.

CLARINET 

Major scales in Bb, Ab, G (written keys)

Prepare this musical excerpt: Intermediate/Advanced (first movement only)

Be ready to sight read at the audition. Feel free to bring additional prepared music you have practiced with your private teacher.

SAXOPHONE (Alto, Tenor, Baritone) 

Major scales in Bb, Ab, G (written keys)

Prepare this musical excerpt: Intermediate/Advanced (first movement only) - Alto Sax - Tenor Sax - Baritone Sax

Be ready to sight read at the audition. Feel free to bring additional prepared music you have practiced with your private teacher.

BASSOON

Major scales in Bb, Ab, G

Prepare one of these musical excerpts: Intermediate – Advanced (first movement only)

Be ready to sight read at the audition. Feel free to bring additional prepared music you have practiced with your private teacher.

TRUMPET

Major scales in Bb, Ab, G (written keys)

Prepare this musical excerpt: Intermediate/Advanced (first movement only)

Be ready to sight read at the audition. Feel free to bring additional prepared music you have practiced with your private teacher.

HORN

Major scales in Bb, Ab, G (written keys)

Prepare one of these excerpts: Intermediate (first movement only) – Advanced (first movement only)

Be ready to sight read at the audition. Feel free to bring additional prepared music you have practiced with your private teacher.

TUBA

Major scales in Bb, Ab, G

Prepare this musical excerpt: Intermediate/Advanced

Be ready to sight read at the audition. Feel free to bring additional prepared music you have practiced with your private teacher.