Many of our camps have a placement audition at check-in to determine ensemble and chair placement. In addition, some of our camps have optional auditions for opportunities such as the Honors Solo Recitals and Chamber Choir. Please see the categories below for specific audition information by camp.
Placement Auditions
Expand AllThe camps listed below have placement auditions. These auditions are required and take place during Check-in before you go to the dorm. Once the camper completes these check-in activities we will build a class schedule to fit. You will receive a personalized schedule before your first class that will include your assignments and will give you the times and locations of all of your classes.
If your camp is not listed below, then it does not require a Placement Audition.
A note about ensemble placement:
Once ensemble assignments have been made they will not be changed. We are proud that our campers have the opportunity to play alongside other student musicians from throughout the 50 states and other countries. The students at our camps come from a variety of backgrounds and musical experiences, and therefore, the ensemble assignment and/or seating you receive at camp may not be what you are used to back home. This can be a shock to some campers who are used to always being placed at the top.
We encourage campers to prepare for the placement audition and then to trust the decisions of the FSU educators to place them in the appropriate ensemble. Our instructors want all campers to get the most out of their camp experience and we stand behind the decisions they make. Changes will NOT be made to ensemble and/or seating assignments after they have been completed. Please be aware that coming late to or missing the regular camp check-in may effect your placement and/or seating assignment.
- Two scales of your choice
- Two solo excerpts, etudes or short pieces*
- One piece should be slower, lyrical
- One piece should be faster and more technically demanding
- *Percussionist should prepare a snare piece and a mallet piece
Once ensemble assignments have been made they will not be changed.
FAQ: What should I select to play?
Select something that you feel confident playing. Don’t pick something so difficult that you won’t be able to play it well if you are nervous. Don’t pick something so easy that it doesn’t showcase your abilities. Do you have a piece from Solo & Ensemble that you have worked on? That’s a great choice. If not, pick something that will show us what your abilities are and then practice it! Still not sure what to pick? Ask your music teacher for some suggestions.
- Two scales of your choice
- Two solo excerpts, etudes or short pieces*
- One piece should be slower, lyrical
- One piece should be faster and more technically demanding
- *Percussionist should prepare a snare piece and a mallet piece
Once ensemble assignments have been made they will not be changed.
If you are attending both sessions of Senior High Band Camp, you will re-audition at check-in the second week.
FAQ: What should I select to play?
Select something that you feel confident playing. Don’t pick something so difficult that you won’t be able to play it well if you are nervous. Don’t pick something so easy that it doesn’t showcase your abilities. Do you have a piece from Solo & Ensemble that you have worked on? That’s a great choice. If not, pick something that will show us what your abilities are and then practice it! Still not sure what to pick? Ask your music teacher for some suggestions.
WIND & BRASS INSTRUMENTS:
- Two major scales of your choice
- One piece of your choice
DRUMMERS:
- Please be able to play a swing pattern
PIANO, GUITAR AND BASS (Electric & Upright), :
- Please be able to play a 12 bar blues pattern
- Two scales of your choice
- One solo piece of your choice that best demonstrates your playing ability
- You may be asked to sight read during this audition.
Once ensemble assignments have been made they will not be changed.
If you are attending both sessions of String Orchestra Camp you will re-audition at check-in the second week.
FAQ: What should I select to play?
Select something that you feel confident playing. Don’t pick something so difficult that you won’t be able to play it well if you are nervous. Don’t pick something so easy that it doesn’t showcase your abilities. Do you have a piece from Solo & Ensemble that you have worked on? That’s a great choice. If not, pick something that will show us what your abilities are and then practice it! Still not sure what to pick? Ask your music teacher for some suggestions.
Optional Auditions
Expand AllThe camps listed below have optional auditions. These auditions take place during check-in. If you can not arrive during the regular check-in window, then you will not be able to audition for these opportunities.
HONORS SOLO RECITAL
What is the Honor Solo Recital?
The Honors Solo Recital is a special performance on Thursday evening featuring solo performances from selected students from the Senior High Band Camp and String Orchestra Camp.
Who Can Audition and When Are The Auditions?
All campers are eligible to audition. The first round of auditions takes place at check-in. If you cannot arrive during the designated check-in time then you will not be able to audition. You will be notified if you are being asked to the second round of auditions.
If an accompanist is required, one will be provided; be sure to bring music for the accompanist.
What To Prepare:
- The piece you audition with must be the piece you perform at the recital
- All music must be a music Class A/Grade 5 or higher with a time limit of 6 minutes
- Only solos (with or without accompaniment) are acceptable. No ensembles, no trios, no duets.
HONORS SOLO RECITAL
What is the Honor Solo Recital?
The Honors Solo Recital is a special performance on Thursday evening featuring solo performances from selected students from the Senior High Band Camp and String Orchestra Camp.
Who Can Audition and When Are The Auditions?
All campers are eligible to audition. The first round of auditions takes place at check-in. If you cannot arrive during the designated check-in time then you will not be able to audition. You will be notified if you are being asked to the second round of auditions.
If an accompanist is required, one will be provided; be sure to bring music for the accompanist.
What To Prepare:
- The piece you audition with must be the piece you perform at the recital
- All music must be a music Class A/Grade 5 or higher with a time limit of 6 minutes
- Only solos (with or without accompaniment) are acceptable. No ensembles, no trios, no duets.
HONORS SOLO RECITAL
What is the Honor Solo Recital?
16 students at Choral Ensemble Camp will be selected to perform on Thursday evening in an Honors Solo Recital. Selected campers will also be assigned to Class Voice as one of their electives, where they will work on their solo. They will also work with the faculty as one of the featured singers during the daily masterclass.
Who Can Audition and When Are The Auditions?
Auditions will only take place at camp check-in. If you cannot arrive during the designated check-in time then you will not be able to audition. If you are interested in auditioning, you will sign up-to audition at check-in. All Tenors and All Basses may audition. Sopranos and Altos who are currently in grades 10, 11, and 12 may audition.
What To Prepare:
A classical solo of your choice. This piece should also be the piece that you want to sing at the recital and use during masterclass. An accompanist will be provided; please bring original music.
CHAMBER CHOIR
What is the Chamber Choir?
A limited number of students at Choral Ensemble Camp will be selected to rehearse and sing in a Chamber Choir in addition to the Mixed Choir and Men’s/Women’s Choirs. These campers will be assigned to Chamber Choir as one of their daily electives.
Who Can Audition and When Are The Auditions?
Auditions will only take place at camp check-in. If you cannot arrive during the designated check-in time then you will not be able to audition. If you are interested in auditioning, you will sign up-to audition at check-in. All Tenors and All Basses may audition. Sopranos and Altos who are currently in grades 10, 11, and 12 may audition.
What To Prepare:
A classical solo of your choice. This piece can be the same that you use for the Honors Solo Recital audition if you are also auditioning for that. An accompanist will be provided; please bring original music.