ENSEMBLE OPENINGS, REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES
New students can audition by appointment. Click the “Register for Audition” button below
Not all ensembles require an audition to join, please continue reading below.
Ensembles set Third Street apart. Students can participate in a variety of small and large ensembles. Learn more about our ensembles here.
Quick jump to: Orchestras | Chamber Music | Jazz | Instrumental Ensembles | Symphonic Band
CHOIRS
Third Street choirs are divided by age and do not require an audition. Contact Student Services to add Chorus to your schedule, or call 212-777-3240 x17 with questions. Ready to register today? You can register online.
ORCHESTRAS
Next orchestra auditions will take place in September
Students who plan to continue performing in the same orchestra do not need to re-audition. New students and those interested in moving to the next level of orchestra can audition at the beginning or at the end of the school year. Click here to register for an audition. Each orchestra has its own set of audition requirements detailed in the table below. The pieces suggested for each instrument are minimum level requirements. Students should use these criteria as general guidelines for audition preparation, but may be placed in a different orchestra based on their audition. Always consult with your teacher.
| Overture | Con Spirito | Sinfonia | Philharmonia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ages | 6-10 | 8-12 | 10-15 | 12 and above |
| Scales | D, G | D, G, C, A | Up to 3 sharps or flats | At least 5 sharps or flats |
| Sight Reading | May be required | Required | Required | Required |
| Violin | Book 1: Minuet 3 | Book 2: Handel Bouree | Book 4: Vivaldi Violin Concerto Mvts. 1 or 3 completed | Middle of Book 6: Handel’s Sonata No. 3 |
| Viola | Book 1: Minuet 3 | Book 2: Handel Bouree | Middle of Book 4: Major for Two Violas | Book 6: M. Marais’ La Folia(arr. D. Preucil) |
| Cello | Book 1: The Happy Farmer | Book 2: J.S. Bach’s Musette from English Suite No. 3 | End of Book 4: Breval’s Sonata in C Major, Op. 40, No. 1 | Book 7: Eccles’ Sonata in G Minor |
| Bass | Book 1: The Little Fiddle | Theme from Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 | End of Book 3: Sweet Georgia Brown | End of Book 4: Marcello’s Sonata in E Minor |
Flute and Clarinet students wishing to audition for Philharmonia should perform 2 major scales of their choice as well as the following excerpts: Clarinet and Flute
Instrumental Ensembles
CHAMBER MUSIC
Fall 2020 Chamber Auditions will consist of video recording of:
- Two contrasting solo pieces of your choice
- Two scales and arpeggios of your choice
- We will contact you to schedule an in-person Zoom meeting for sight-reading
Email your videos to Carolyn Jeselsohn at chamber@thirdstreetmusicschool.org
ADVANCED CELLO ENSEMBLE (ACE)
Advanced cello students prepare and perform multi-part cello ensemble works by composers ranging from Bach to the Beatles. Audition requirements: Prepared piece at Suzuki book 5 level (or equivalent), 3 octave scales, sight reading. If interested in joining the ensemble, please email Shanda Wooley
FLUTONIUM
- No age/years of study requirements
- Sight reading–yes
- 2 Octave major and minor scales through 3 sharps and flats
- Chromatic scale 2 octaves
- Solo: J.Andersen Scherzo or equivalent
- Students will be asked to demonstrate techniques including vibrato and double tonguing.
FLUTE LAB
- No age/yrs of study requirement
- Sight reading–yes
- C scale, F scale, G scale: 1 octave
- Solo of your choice
For questions about joining Flutonium or Flute Lab, email Susan Friedlander
PIANO ENSEMBLES
Students will be placed in groups based on their age and ability as judged in auditions. Returning students do not need to audition. The recommended minimum age of a student playing in an ensemble is 6-years-old, and they will need to show proficiency appropriate to their age in technique, musicianship and reading abilities.
Students must be taking individual piano lessons and have consent and support from their individual lesson instructors to participate in a piano ensemble.
Before auditioning, students must demonstrate performance readiness by participating in at least three public performances such as a Music Hour, studio recital, concert or equivalent performances outside of Third Street. Please contact Joan Forsyth for more information and to schedule an audition.
JAZZ ENSEMBLES
Third Street’s jazz program is comprised of two main ensembles, Jazz Prep (ages 9 – 11) and Jazz Big Band (ages 12 and above), as well as a number of small jazz combos. Students interested in auditioning should prepare a solo selection which demonstrates their best musical and technical abilities. Some sight-reading may be required and students may also be asked to play a scale.
For more information on Jazz Ensembles and to schedule an audition, email Neal Kirkwoord, program coordinator.
NYC SYMPHONIC BAND AT THIRD STREET
The following information is provided for students and teachers as a general guide to the level of musicianship. The applicant’s prepared piece should be one that is an accurate representation of their technical and artistic ability. As a broad guideline, successful candidates for the New York Symphonic Band should be working on repertoire that is equivalent to NYSSMA level 4 through level 5. The piece should be well prepared and must demonstrate the technical demands listed below.
READING
- Ability to play in all time signatures
- Ability to subdivide and write in beats/counting for complex rhythms
- Ability to read above and below the staff and execute scales/arpeggios/technical passages in all registers.
- Ability to read/play in major and minor keys up to five sharps and flats.
MUSICIANSHIP
Demonstrate good tone production, appropriate phrasing in different styles, full range of dynamics, full range of articulations, accurate intonation, and understanding of musical terms
TECHNIQUE
- Winds and Brass – Play in 2 ½ octave range; use of varied articulations; Major Scale/Arpeggio proficiency through 5 sharps and 5 flats
- Percussion – Prior experience in band/orchestra with cymbals, triangle, and bass drum; advanced snare drum and good timpani technique; ability to tune timpani
