Southern Nevada Homeschool Performing Arts (SNHPA) Southern Nevada Homeschool Performing Arts (SNHPA) Southern Nevada Homeschool Performing Arts (SNHPA) Southern Nevada Homeschool Performing Arts (SNHPA) Southern Nevada Homeschool Performing Arts (SNHPA) Southern Nevada Homeschool Performing Arts (SNHPA)
 

Audition Requirements

Fall 2024 Auditions

Auditions will happen live during Open House on Friday August 9, 2024

Level 1 classes are for students brand new to the instrument, even if they play another.  Therefore they do not need to audition.

Students for level 2 classes do not need to audition to be placed in the class, but should audition to ensure proper placement.

Concert Choir is a non auditioned class.

During the spring returning Level 1 and Level 2 students should stay in the class they took in the Fall, unless advised to move up by their instructor.

Students do not need to audition for an ensemble if they have participated in that ensemble for 4 previous terms on that specific instrument.

They may choose to audition for a higher ensemble if they wish.

Students must audition to be placed into  Intermediate Orchestra, Advanced Symphony Orchestra, Advanced Chamber Strings, Chamber Choir, Show Choir, Concert Band,  Jazz Band, and Advanced Guitar Ensemble.

String Auditions for Intermediate or  Advanced Symphony Orchestra 

  • a 1-2 minute solo or etude
  • 1 major scale, 2 octaves mandatory for Intermediate and above auditions.
  • Sight-reading

Advanced  Chamber Strings

  • Please note your student is required to participate in Advanced Symphony in addition to Advanced Chamber Strings.
  • A student is required to audition each year even with prior class participation.
  • 3 octave scale
  • 1-2 minute solo or etude 
  • Sight Reading

Jazz Band Requirements

Fundamentals:

Woodwinds:  Minimum 2 octave scale of your choice, one octave chromatic scale

Brass:  Minimum 1 1/2 octave scale of your choice, one octave chromatic scale

Percussion:  Play 24 measures of each of the following styles at appropriate tempos:

  • Swing — medium tempo (quarter = 120 bpm)
  • Swing — fast tempo (quarter = 172 bpm)
  • Latin –medium tempo (quarter = 128 bpm)
  • Funk — medium tempo (quarter = 96 bpm)

Keyboard:  Minimum 2 octave scale of your choice, cadence (I, IV, V7, I)

Music/Etude:

Choose a JAZZ etude

You may bring in a backing track to play with, but devices for playing it on will not be provided.  We would like to hear you play the head of the piece and improv if possible.

Sightreading:

You will be asked to sightread from either a lead sheet or a part matching your instrument from our Jazz Library.  The best way to prepare for sight-reading is just to read LOTS of music.  You can find many free sources online.  Another good source is the Aebersold Jazz Series.  Whereas there are dozens to choose from, here is a good starting point on Amazon  

Concert Band Requirements

Fundamentals:

Woodwinds:  Minimum 2 octave scale of your choice, one octave scale of your choice (you will be asked for your current range)

Brass:  Minimum two (2) one octave scales of your choice (you will be asked for your current range)

Percussion:  Rudiments (flam, buzz roll, dynamic changes given a repeated rhythm), one octave scale of your choice, except for C major or A minor, on mallet instrument

Music/Etude:

All instruments:  Please select etude that best demonstrates your range, rhythm knowledge and articulation.  Here is a link from the KMEA 2012 auditions that has links to terrific audition etudes for all instruments. Use the 6- 8 Audition Files.

*Percussionists:  You will be required to play battery instruments (snare, bass drum, etc), mallet instruments (bells, vibes, etc) and accessories.

Sightreading:

All instruments will be asked to sightread from a standard piece of band music.  Percussionists should be prepared to sightread on both snare drum and bells.

 

Choir Auditions

Chamber Choir: Students will sing The Star Spangled Banner. Every female singer should prepare to sing BOTH the soprano and alto parts. Every male singer should prepare to sing BOTH the Baritone part and the melody.  Here is a PDF download of the music. Please use this youtube video for a rehearsal track.  Accompanist will be provided for the audition.

Singers who are not prepared with the correct music/parts to sing will be asked to submit a video audition.

Show Choir: Students should prepare the Chamber Choir audition, AND up to 32 bars of an upbeat musical theater or Disney song of their choice. Students must provide their own backing track. A capella auditions are discouraged.

Guitar Auditions

Specific music has been chosen for our student’s to prepare. Here is a PDF download of music.

  • Please select from the provided PDF and have your student prepare the piece of music that they feel is most appropriate for their level.
  • They should prepare at least one octave of the C Major scale, and/or as much as the page as possible to show ability.

If you are unable to attend the open house you may submit a video audtion.

All video auditions to be recorded and submitted prior to Aug 9, 2024. You will provide an on-line video link to your audition. Please do not send us a video file. They are often too large for us to forward to our teachers. Youtube allows you to post "unlisted" videos, which means only those you share the link with, will have access to the video.

Video auditions for band, string, or percussion players should include:
   • a 1-2 minute solo or etude
    • 1 major scale, 2 octaves mandatory for Intermediate and above auditions.
    • Percussionist: Must show bell and snare drum ability.
    • Please announce your name and a brief description of your playing experience before you begin.