NOTES Program

 

Notes Level 1 - No audition required

 

Notes Level 2 - Audition required

Audition Criteria for entry:

  1. For Strings: Demonstrate proper bow grip, posture, and left hand wrist and finger shape.
  2. For Winds/Brass: Demonstrate proper instrument setup and posture.

 

I - Scales: Please choose a 1 octave major scale  in one of the following keys: G, D, or A (violin)  C, G, or D (cello/viola), E, A, or G (bass).  Concert C, B-flat or F (winds/brass).

 

Strings players should prepare your scale with a metronome at quarter note = 60 in the following three ways: 

  1. Legato (smooth) quarter notes with a full straight bow. 1 note per bow.

  2. Staccato 8th notes (short and stopped) about 4 inches of bow in the middle of the bow.

  3. Slurred legato 8th notes with two notes per bow.

Click the link below for a video of audition tips for string players demonstrating the Notes 2 scale bowings:

https://youtube.com/shorts/DCMo3FBoQNk?feature=share

 

Woodwind and Brass players should prepare their scale with a metronome at quarter note = 60 in the following three ways: 

  1. Tongued quarter notes

  2. Staccato 8th notes, two 8th notes per note  

  3. One 8th note per note, slur 2, tongue 2 (trombone: legato tongue 2, staccato 2)

     

 

II- Solo Piece: Be able to perform a short solo work at a level equivalent to Perpetual Motion in Suzuki Book 1 or a solo from Essential Elements Volume 1.

 

III - Sight Reading: Be able to read the pitches on the staff that are in your 1 octave scale, and the following rhythms: whole, half, quarter, and 8th notes.