GSMST MUSIC DEPARTMENT AUDITION INFORMATION 2021-2022

The GSMST Music Department strives to be a world class educational program for students in grades 9-12 developing a well-rounded STEM student by offering rigorous courses fostering higher order thinking and creative problem solving skills. We endeavor to enhance each student's artistic and social development so they leave GSMST as independent, cooperative, responsible and creative lifelong learners. We believe that these skills and qualities prepare our students to pursue further educational goals and allow them to contribute to the life and wellbeing of society as a whole.

The GSMST Music Department consists of 8 performance ensembles, some of which require an audition:

BANDS

• Concert Band (No Audition, though Middle School Experience is Required)
• Symphonic Band (Audition Required, Zero Period - Transportation Required)

CHORUSES

• Mixed Chorus (No Audition Required)
• Advanced Treble Chorus (Audition Required)

ORCHESTRAS

• Concert Orchestra (No Audition, though Middle School Experience is Required)
• Symphonic Orchestra (Audition Required)
• Philharmonic Orchestra (Audition Required)
• Honor Orchestra (Audition Required, Zero Period - Transportation Required) 
  
  

Current GSMST Student auditions will take place Tuesday, April 20, 2021 In-Person at GSMST or via a Video submission with a live Zoom sight reading. 

Rising Freshmen auditions will take place Saturday May 1, 2021 In-Person at GSMST or via a Video submission with a live Zoom sight reading. 

A specific audition schedule and instructions will be sent out by April 27th.

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY!

To help assure the greatest accuracy in ensemble placement, we STRONGLY encourage all students to audition in-person. Parents and students can rest assured the entire in-person audition process will utilize proper distancing, scheduling, and sanitation measures to help keep everyone healthy during the auditions.

Audition Details

GSMST SYMPHONIC BAND AUDITIONS

The GSMST Symphonic Band is the only auditioned ensemble of our Band program. The Symphonic Band typically has performed Grade V and VI literature from the GMEA list, while the Concert Band has typically performed Grade III and IV literature. Audition for this ensemble does not guarantee placement in the class as there is a limited number of spaces available for each instrument group. 

• Auditions are not required for the Concert Band
• Rising Freshmen auditions will take place Saturday May 1, 2021. A specific audition schedule will be sent out no later than April 27, 2021.
• GSMST students will audition on April 20th during our Digital Learning Day.

Audition Requirements:

1. SCALE REQUIREMENTS: 7 Major Scales with Arpeggio
2. PREPARED SOLO: Links to Solos are available via the Google Drive link here (only the lyrical and bracketed parts of the technical etudes are required):
3. SIGHT READING: Students will attempt one sight-reading example.

To access audition excerpts: Google Drive

GSMST ADVANCED TREBLE CHORUS AUDITIONS

The GSMST Advanced Treble Chorus is the only auditioned ensemble of GSMST's Choral program. Members are a select group of treble voices (soprano and alto).  An audition for this ensemble does not guarantee placement in the class due to a limited number of spaces available.  **Auditions are not required for the Mixed Chorus**

• Current GSMST Student auditions will take place Tuesday, April 20, 2021 In-Person at GSMST or via a Video submission with a live Zoom sight reading.
• Rising Freshmen auditions will take place Saturday May 1, 2021 with In-Person at GSMST or via a Video submission with a live Zoom sight reading.
• A specific audition schedule and instructions will be sent out by April 27th.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

1. SCALE REQUIREMENTS: Major, Natural Minor, & Chromatic Scales.  Sing up and down each scale in your preferred vocal method (solfege, numbers, etc).  Starting Pitch: Soprano F4; Alto C4)
2. SOLO: "The Ash Grove:" The solo is to be performed A Cappella (though a learning track has been made available below for use during your preparation).  
3. SIGHT READING: Students will attempt three sight-singing examples, each 4 measures long. (#1 Major Key and Simple Meter, #2 Natural Minor Key and Simple Meter, #3 Major Key and Simple Meter with increased rhythmic difficulty).  Tonality will be established for each example followed by 30 seconds of vocalized study.  Students may use the sight reading method of their choice (solfege, numbers, etc.).

To access audition materials: Google Drive

GSMST ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS

The GSMST Orchestra program has THREE (3) auditioned orchestras. The Symphonic Orchestra typically performs GMEA Grade IV literature, the Philharmonic Orchestra typically performs GMEA Grade V literature, and the Honor Orchestra typically performs GMEA Grade VI literature. Audition for these ensembles does not guarantee placement in the particular ensemble. Students can only be selected for the highest ensemble for which they audition or placed in a lower orchestra (i.e. a student cannot audition for Philharmonic Orchestra and be placed in the Honor Orchestra, but could be placed in Symphonic or Concert Orchestras).

• Auditions are not required for the Concert Orchestra 
• Current GSMST Student auditions will take place Tuesday, April 20, 2021 In-Person at GSMST or via a Video submission with a live Zoom sight reading.
• Rising Freshmen auditions will take place Saturday May 1, 2021 In-Person at GSMST or via a Video submission with a live Zoom sight reading.
• A specific audition schedule and instructions will be sent out by April 27th.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

1. SCALE & ARPEGGIO REQUIREMENTS
   1. Violin - A Major and G melodic minor (any bow pattern, any tempo), 3 octaves
   2. Viola - D Major and C melodic minor (any bow pattern, any tempo), 3 octaves
   3. Cello - D Major and C melodic minor (any bow pattern, any tempo), 3 octaves
   4. Bass - F Major and G melodic minor (any bow pattern, any tempo), 2 octaves
2. SIGHT READING (a brief sight reading excerpt will be given following standard GMEA sight-reading procedures)
3. EXCERPTS - perform 2 excerpts for the appropriate ensemble (both must be performed).