Music Audition Requirements for Summer Programs (High School Students)

Classical Music Programs

Please submit video recordings of the following:

  • One movement from a piece listed in the suggested audition repertoire list, or choose a piece of comparable difficulty.  
  • One movement from an additional piece.
  • One major and one minor scale.

Helpful Tips: Place the microphone about six feet from your instrument. Selections of contrasting style and piano accompaniment, when appropriate, are recommended. 

To be considered for the Fennell Scholars or Orchestral Scholars programs, applicants must complete their application and audition submission by Jan. 15.

When you arrive at Camp

All students will audition again during registration at the start of Camp and will be placed into a specific ensemble group based on audition results.

Strings: Students will be placed in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra or Interlochen Philharmonic based on the results of auditions during registration at the beginning of Camp.

Winds and Percussion: Placement in an orchestra or wind ensemble will be determined based upon a student's audition at the time of application. During registration at the beginning of Camp, students will audition for seating within the orchestras or wind ensembles. 

Please submit video recordings of the following:

  • One movement from a piece listed in the suggested audition repertoire list, or choose a piece of comparable difficulty.
  • One movement from an additional piece.
  • One major and one minor scale.
  • A short resume listing your string quartet experience.

Helpful Tips: Place the microphone about six feet from your instrument. Selections of contrasting style and piano accompaniment, when appropriate, are recommended.

To be considered for the Interlochen Orchestral Scholars program, applicants must complete their application and audition submission by Jan. 15.

Please submit the following:

Three compositions that demonstrate the applicant's skill and technical abilities. Please submit .mp3 recordings and PDF scores of your compositions. If you are interested in composing for a large ensemble (band, choir, orchestra), at least one of the required compositions submitted must be a work for band, choir, or orchestra.

A résumé in PDF format that includes the following: your primary instrument, years of study, a list of compositions written and performed, and a description of any previous formal training in composition. Previous instruction in composition is not required.

Please submit video recordings of the following:

  • One movement from a piece on the suggested audition repertoire list below, or a piece of comparable difficulty. Piano accompaniment is optional.
  • Choose another piece, demonstrating contrasting style and the applicant's versatility.
  • One major and one minor scale, four octaves, hands together.

Suggested Repertoire:

  • Debussy – "First Arabesque," "Claire de Lune," "Danses Sacrée et Profane"
  • Dussek – Sonata in C minor
  • Grandjany – "Fantasie on a theme of Haydn"
  • Pierne – "Impromptu Caprice"
  • Pescetti – Sonata in C minor
  • Salzedo – "Suite of Eight Dances"
  • Haydn/Salzedo – "Variations on a Theme of Haydn"
  • Salzedo – "Suite of Eight Dances," "Chanson dans la Nuit"
  • Solos for the Harp, compiled by Lucile Lawrence, such as: "Tambourin," "Giga," "Rigaudon," "Flagello Berceuse"
  • Handel – "Harmonious Blacksmith," Concerto in B Flat Major: Andante Allegro
  • David Watkins – "Petite Suite"

Please submit video recordings featuring two works of contrasting style that best demonstrate the applicant's level of achievement. Applicants may record piano pieces in addition to organ pieces if this helps to better represent their accomplishment and potential.

Please submit two video recordings, each containing a memorized classical work for solo piano. The submitted selections must represent two of the following style periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, 20th/21st Century.

When you arrive at Camp there will be a brief placement audition, where you will be asked to play one solo piece of your choosing and sight-read a short selection for the piano faculty. You will also take a theory placement test to be placed into one of three levels.

Please submit video recordings featuring two memorized classical music selections. No musical theatre pieces. Live accompaniment is preferred, but not required. If you are using a recorded accompaniment, please adjust volume so that your performance is clearly discernible.

Accepted students are required to arrive at camp with three memorized performance-ready classical pieces, at least one of which should be in a language other than English. Upon arrival, students will sing and be placed into the appropriate choral and operatic experience. 

Contemporary Music Programs

Students in this program will work from scored music and chord charts. If you have no prior knowledge of reading music or charts, we still welcome you to apply. However, it's highly encouraged that you familiarize yourself with both forms of notation prior to arrival at Camp.

Instrumental Audition

Please submit one to three video recordings of work that best represents you as an artist at this time. If you are performing in an ensemble, please make sure you are clearly highlighted.

Vocal Audition

Please submit video recordings of the following:

  • One chorus of a ballad
  • Any melody sung a cappella in time, given just a starting pitch
  • Optional: A jazz melody and improvised solo with accompaniment (live or recorded)

Please submit a portfolio of 1-3 works showcasing who you are as an artist. Include within your portfolio an essay that explains your hopes for understanding music technology, production, and engineering in pursuit of your musical goals. Please submit the essay as a PDF file.

Students in this program will work from chord charts. If you have no prior knowledge of reading music or charts, we still welcome you to apply. However, it's highly encouraged that you familiarize yourself with what chord charts are prior to camp.

Please submit one to three video recordings of work that best represents you as an artist at this time. You may play or sing along to a track, but be sure that the volume of your instrument is louder than the track. If you are performing in an ensemble, please make sure you are clearly highlighted.
 

Please submit one to three video recordings of work that best represents you as an artist at this time. Please submit both the video recordings of a self-accompanied, personal performance of an original composition as well as the PDF files of the written lyrics.

 

 

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