The Process

Our ‘audition’ is really a chance to get to know you a little bit, hear you play, and guide your pathway here at Santa Su. ☺  
​It is meant to be a friendly introduction, we will make you feel welcome, and we are so glad you are considering our program at Santa Susana HS Instrumental Music!
3 part skills assessment (used for ensemble and chair placement only, all students are accepted into the program)
​-Scales, Musical Selections, and Sight Reading

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC AUDITIONS

SSHS Instrumental Music Auditions 2023-2024

Prior to auditioning, please fill out this Google Form and join the Auditions Remind (text @sshsau to 81010) 
​If you are auditioning for more than one discipline, please check the boxes for all the departments you are auditioning for. 

Click HERE to sign up for an auditon spot on March 11th! 

Please carefully read through the audition elements required for Instrumental Music. Once you have read through them the sign up link is at the bottom of the page.
If you have any trouble please reach out to john.theisen@simivalleyusd.org 

Core IM Class Offerings:
*Full Orchestra I- Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, & Percussion (piano) (*called Wind Ensemble/Orchestra on Aeries)
*Full Orchestra II - Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, & Percussion (piano) (*called Wind Ensemble/Orchestra on Aeries)

Additional IM Class Offerings:
ENTERTAINMENT ENSEMBLE - PE Credit!- CO-CURRICULAR enrollment is required in a *core Instrumental Music course (Full Orchestra I,II) Strings, Brass, Woodwinds, Percussion, Rhythm Section (piano, bass, guitar, drums)
Jazz Band - Saxes, Trombones, Trumpets, Piano, Jazz Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano
Production Orchestra - Rhythm section (piano,bass,guitar, percussion), Brass, Woodwinds, Strings
-STUDENTS CHOSEN BASED ON INSTRUMENTATION NEEDS PER EACH SHOW. 
-This is our capstone course, and is reserved for our top student musicians 
-This course is recommended for students in 2 or more Instrumental Music Classes 

Full Orchestra I/II (Wind Ensemble/Orchestra on Aeries)- 
Woodwinds 
  • 3 Scales-Concert Eb, Concert C, & one octave minimum chromatic scale (Scales should be in 8th note form.  Quarter note =80 or faster)
  • :30 seconds of slower/lyrical music selection (please choose music that demonstrates your best abilities)
  • :30 seconds of medium to faster selection (more technical) music (of your choice)
Brass 
  • 3 Scales-Concert Eb, Concert C, & one octave minimum chromatic scale (Scales should be in 8th note form.  Quarter note =80 or faster)
  • :30 seconds of slower/lyrical music selection (please choose music that demonstrates your best abilities)
  • :30 seconds of medium to faster selection (more technical) music (of your choice)
Strings 
  • 2 Scales- D Major, C Major, (Scales should be in 8th note form.  Quarter note =80 or faster) (upper octaves for higher groups)
  • :30 seconds of slower/lyrical music selection (please choose music that demonstrates your best abilities)
  • :30 seconds of medium to faster selection (more technical) music (of your choice)
Percussion
  • If you have a mallet keyboard-please play 3 Scales-F, Eb, & Ab (Scales should be in 8th note form.  Quarter note =80 or faster)
  • :30 seconds of a snare or drumming style musical selection (can be from something you already know) (bring music!)
  • :30 seconds of a mallet or melodic musical selection (can be from something you already know) (bring music!)

Jazz Band- 
3 Scales, swung, with I/III/IV/dom 7 arpeggios (scales of your choice)
1 real book (or ‘real easy’) chart-head, arpeggiated chords, solo over chord progression @ least once.  (consider using online rhythm accompaniment to play along with).
Drumset Audition- 32 bars Latin beat (100bpm=metronome) insert fills throughout (bossa &/or Samba beat patterns).  32 bars Funk Beat (116bpm=metronome) layer in fills every 4 bars or so.  16 bars SLOW brush type SWING- (72bpm=metronome).  32 bars uptempo Swing (152bpm=metronome) fills every 8 bars.  Take a solo during the uptempo swing for 'higher chair'. 

Production Orchestra- 
Strings/Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion
  • all 12 major scales & arpeggios
  • 1 minute of grade IV or higher material (college audition or honor group level audition material)

Entertainment Ensemble - no extra audition needed (main ensemble will be used for placement)
Audition Times:
9:00am-9:30am
9:30am-10:00am
10:00am-10:30am
10:30am-11:00am
11:00am-11:30am
11:30am-12:00pm
12:00pm-12:30pm
12:30pm-1:00pm