Clywediadau

2020
Auditions
French Horn Audition Pack
 Guidelines for Audition Preparation
These guidelines are to be used for all instrumental
auditions

N.B. ALL AUDITIONS ARE UNACCOMPANIED

Each audition will be 20-25 minutes in duration and will include the elements set out below:

1. Pieces
All candidates should prepare two contrasting pieces of Grade 7/8 standard, at least one of which would
preferably be from the 20th/21st century repertoire. Contrasting movements from the same work are not
acceptable. You must bring a copy of your pieces with you for the audition panel.

The panel won’t necessarily have time to hear the pieces in full and so may ask for sections only – please do
not take this as a reflection of your playing!

TIP - Take care in choosing your pieces – it is better to offer a piece that you can play well and confidently rather
than a more difficult piece in the hope of impressing the panel.

NB – if you are a Trumpet/Cornet player who intends to audition for both Brass Band and Orchestra, please
prepare one piece on each instrument.

2. Scales and arpeggios - to be played from memory

You should choose two notes and prepare all major and minor scales (harmonic and melodic) and arpeggios,
U U

Dominant 7th, Diminished 7th and Chromatic scales starting on those notes.

All scales should be played in the traditional manner – variations or scalic exercises will not be accepted. By
restricting the number of scales needing to be prepared, we expect all applicants to be able to prepare these
whether they take Associated Board or Trinity examinations.

TIP – Although no-one’s favourite aspect of playing an instrument, Scales and Arpeggios are nevertheless an
important part of music making. If prepared properly and musically they are easy marks at your audition, however
they are an equally easy way to drop marks should you neglect to prepare them fully.

3. Sight reading – You will be asked to play 1 or 2 short pieces of sight reading.

4. Prepared Excerpts – included within this pack is a specially composed study by Welsh Composer Gareth Wood
that should be prepared fully for your audition. Please ensure you pay close attention to all the performance
markings on the music as well as any notes provided by the audition panel. There are also two short pieces of
transposition which should be prepared in advance.

TIP – Prepared extracts/studies are an important way of showing the panel that you are able to prepare music
in a short space of time, paying attention to dynamic and tempo markings and any other directions that are
given in the music. When marks are close, preparation of the excerpts is increasingly the aspect of the
audition which determines who should get a place with the ensembles – they are an extremely important part
of your audition.

5. Mark Sheet – An exemplar mark sheet is included within this pack, this shows how much each aspect of the
audition contributes to the overall result.

Please note that the design of the marksheet has changed from recent years in order for us to provide more
relevant and constructive feedback on your playing.

You will receive your mark sheet at registration where you will need to print clearly the name of your audition
pieces.

PLEASE NOTE: IF ON THE DAY OF YOUR AUDITION YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND – PLEASE
CONTACT 07530 452105
 AUDITION MARKSHEET
Headshot

Name: [insert merge field] Instrument: [insert merge field]

Grade: [insert merge field]

Ensemble applied for:

Brass Band [insert merge field] Orchestra [insert field] Wind Orchestra [insert field]

Audition Venue: [insert merge field]

Total Actual

1st Piece
20
Composer

2nd Piece
20
Composer

Prepared Extracts 20 Sound Production 4

Sight Reading 16 Technique 4

Scales & Arpeggios 8 Intonation 4

Musicality 4 Total Score 100

Observations on Technique and Musicality

 Recommendations for improvement

General Comments:

Recommended result:

Signed: Date: