Audition Requirements

To apply to the Palo Alto School of Chamber Music, you will be required to submit an application form, and a video audition with the following requirements:

  1. Two short selections, one slow and one fast

    that demonstrate the applicant’s current level (can be short pieces or etudes, or sections of long ones)

  2. Scales

Violin:

  • the A major scale (2 or 3 octaves) played slurred (triplets or sixteenths)

  • the G minor scale (2 or 3 octaves) played spiccato or staccato

Viola and Cello:

  • the D major scale (2 or 3 octaves) played slurred (triplets or sixteenths)

  • the C minor scale (2 or 3 octaves) played spiccato or staccato

Woodwinds:

  • Chromatic scale using the full range of your instrument

  • 1 major and 1 minor scale of your choice, one slurred and one tongued

Piano:

  • the Eb major scale plus arpeggio (2 or 3 octaves), played legato

  • the B minor scale plus arpeggio (2 or 3 octaves), played staccato

Video Instructions

  1. Please start your recording by saying "hello, my name is ____ and I am ___ years old," slowly and clearly

  2. Next please tell us one thing you’d like us to know about yourself

  3. Next play your scales

  4. Then before starting your piece please tell us its name and its composer "I will play (piece) by (composer)"; if you play 2 pieces, introduce each before you start playing it

Video Requirements and Submission

  • Video(s) must total no more than 10 minutes long. It can be submitted in parts (i.e. does NOT have to be all in one take)

  • Upload the video(s) to YouTube, Google Drive, or Dropbox (or any other cloud service) and send the link to paloaltoschoolofchambermusic@gmail.com

  • Please ensure the video can be viewed by anyone with the link (we will share only with our coaches, but they all need access).

Private Music Teacher Confirmation Email Required

Please have your private music teacher send the following message to the paloaltoschoolofchambermusic@gmail.com:

I approve to have my student, [name], participate in the Palo Alto School of Chamber Music. I will work with my student before the first rehearsal to ensure s/he has good fingerings, and understands the rhythms, for any difficult passages.