Audition Guidelines

AUDITION GUIDELINES BY ENSEMBLE
Nassau & Suffolk Principal Orchestras:

Applicants should have successfully completed a NYSSMA* level 6 (or equivalent) solo on a string, wind or percussion instrument, and be prepared to audition on a similar solo.

Nassau Symphony Orchestra:

Applicants should have successfully completed a NYSSMA* level 6 (or equivalent) solo on a string, wind or percussion instrument, and be prepared to audition on a similar solo.

Suffolk Symphony Orchestra:

Applicants should have successfully completed a NYSSMA* level 5 or 6 (or equivalent) solo on a string, wind or percussion instrument, and be prepared to audition on a similar solo.

Nassau Concert Orchestra:

Applicants should have successfully completed a NYSSMA* level 5 or 6 (or equivalent) solo on a string, wind or percussion instrument, and be prepared to audition on a similar solo.

Suffolk String Orchestra:

Applicants should have successfully completed a NYSSMA* level 4 or 5 (or equivalent) solo on violin, viola, cello, or double bass and be prepared to audition on a similar solo.

Nassau String Orchestra:

Applicants should have successfully completed a NYSSMA* level 5 or 6 (or equivalent) solo on violin and a NYSSMA* level 4 or 5 (or equivalent) solo on viola, cello, or double bass and be prepared to audition on a similar solo.

Nassau Chamber Chorale (grades 11-12 only):

Applicants should have completed a Level 6 (or equivalent) vocal NYSSMA* solo evaluation and be prepared to audition on a similar solo on the appropriate voice part (SATB).

Nassau Senior Treble Choir (grades 10-12):

Applicants should have completed a Level 5 or 6 (or equivalent) vocal NYSSMA* solo evaluation and be prepared to audition on a similar solo.

Suffolk Symphonic Choir (grades 9-12):

Applicants should prepare an art song or aria in English or a foreign language.

Suffolk Senior Treble Choir (grades 8-10):

Applicants should be in grades 8-10 in 2024-2025 and be able to sing on pitch, with a clear head voice. A song in the classical style or from musical theater is requested for the audition.

Nassau Lower Voices (grades 7-12):

Applicants should be in grades 7-12 in 2024-2025 and be able to match pitch and reliably sing in tune. Both unchanged and changing voices will be accepted. A folk song or song in the classical style or from musical theater is requested for the audition.

Nassau Concert Choir (grades 7-9):

Applicants should be in grades 7-9 in 2024-2025 and be able to sing on pitch, with an unchanged, clear head voice. A song in the classical style or from musical theater is requested for the audition.

Nassau Treble Choir (grades 4-6):

Applicants should be in grades 4-6 in 2024-2025 and be able to sing on pitch, with an unchanged, clear head voice. Folk songs, musical theater, songs in the classical style, or NYSSMA solos are requested for the audition. Students may also audition on a song learned in their school chorus or music class. Students are encouraged to use a recording of their accompaniment to perform with if possible (they may also sing a cappella if they don’t have a recording). Pop songs are discouraged.

Suffolk Treble Choir (grades 4-7):

Applicants should be in grades 4-7 in 2024-2025 and be able to sing on pitch, with an unchanged, clear head voice. Folk songs, musical theater, songs in the classical style, or NYSSMA solos are requested for the audition. Students may also audition on a song learned in their school chorus or music class. Students are encouraged to use a recording of their accompaniment to perform with if possible (they may also sing a cappella if they don’t have a recording). Pop songs are discouraged.
*NYSSMA refers to the New York State School Music Association’s manual of graded solos for adjudication. Comparable solos are listed with New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut music educators associations.