GARNET VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC
District Band, Chorus, Orchestra
Auditions: Online video submissions between Nov 9-11, 2021
PMEA Website: https://www.pmea12.org/auditions2021
CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN AUDITIONING (you will still need to register at the Submittable website)
WHAT IS IT?
District Band, Chorus & Orchestra are great opportunities for outstanding high school musicians to be a part of a select group of musicians from across our area. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), District Ensembles are basically the “all-star team” for high school music programs in our area. Garnet Valley has a proud tradition of students participating in these elite groups every year. Students in grades 10-12 can earn a spot in this ensemble by audition (see details below). If you earn a place in a District Ensemble, you participate in a festival where you rehearse with a special guest conductor and perform a concert. The most outstanding musicians in Districts can go on to earn a spot in Regional and even ALL-STATE!!
WHO CAN AUDITION?
Any student in grades 10-12 who is enrolled in any band, chorus, or orchestra class. At Garnet Valley High School, we encourage all motivated and interested students to audition. Even if you feel that you are not “good enough” to be in the group yet, the process of practicing, preparation, and auditioning will help you improve as a musician. And you may even surprise yourself and make it!
Chorus: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Orchestra: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass
Band: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Bb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Contra-Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Trumpet, F Horn, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium (Baritone), Tuba, Percussion
WHAT ARE THE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS?
Band/Orchestra
1) Prepared excerpts - can be downloaded on the PMEA website
2) Scales - use the scale sheet posted on the PMEA website
3) Sight Reading: excerpts will be posted a few days before the audition.
Chorus
You must learn your voice part for TWO choral pieces, which are posted on the PMEA website.
HOW DO I AUDITION?
Be sure that you know all of the requirements for the audition. Print out or get a copy of the music that you need to practice. You MUST practice diligently to prepare the audition requirements. Lessons with a private teacher are recommended, or at the very least, get help from your school director.
Mark the audition submission dates on your calendar. You will record a video of your audition and submit it during the audition window on a website called "Submittable". Follow the guidelines as posted on the PMEA Website. You will be provided with a link to register and submit your audition video.