8th Grade (rising 9th) Options
All 8th graders must complete the registration link with their 8th grade teacher in February 2025.
You will have two course options:
- Enroll in orchestra and be placed in the on-level orchestra class.
- Enroll in orchestra and audition for orchestra placement into Philharmonia and/or Sinfonia.
Please note that you are asking to jump levels into an upperclassmen orchestra. We expect that you will act like a junior or senior at Walton if you are accepted to one these orchestras. This includes audition preparation, attendance, attitude, etc.
Chamber Orchestra auditions will only be open to current Walton students and 8th graders by middle school teacher recommendation only. Factors that will be considered include All State participation, youth orchestra participation, honor orchestra participation, additional ensembles at the middle schools, attitude, and rehearsal ethic.
9th-10th-11th Options
All current Walton students must complete the registration link from CTLS in early February 2025.
You will have two course options:
- Enroll in orchestra and be placed in the on-level orchestra class.
- Enroll in orchestra and audition for orchestra placement into Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia, and/or Sinfonia
Auditions for 2025-2026
- Auditions will be submitted online via Teams by 4PM on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
- You must have enrolled in orchestra via Walton registration.
- The audition for Sinfonia has two components: 1) Scales & Arpeggios 2) Excerpts. The auditions for Philharmonia and Chamber Orchestra includes 1) Scales & Arpeggios 2) Excerpts and 3) Theory Assessment. The assessment will be e-mailed to you on Friday, March 14, 2025 and must be completed by 4PM on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Auditions for Sinfonia, Philharmonia, and Chamber . Submit ONE VIDEO to the highest level orchestra that you are auditioning on Microsoft Teams. You will have to log-in to your Office365 account to join the Team at this link: Walton Orchestra Auditions | General | Microsoft Teams
Scales & Arpeggios
Sinfonia Level
Violin: 2 octave D Major scale and arpeggio; quarter notes at Quarter Note = 60
Viola; Cello; Bass: 2 octave G Major scale and arpeggio; quarter notes at Quarter Note = 60
Philharmonia Level (plays Sinfonia & Philharmonia scales)
Violin: 3 octave G Melodic Minor Scale; Slur 2 8th notes at Quarter Note = 60
Viola & Cello: 3 octave C Melodic Minor Scale; Slur 2 8th notes at Quarter Note = 60
Bass: 2 octave G Melodic Minor Scale; separate bow 8th notes at Quarter Note =60
Chamber Level (plays Sinfonia, Philharmona, & Chamber scales)
Violin: 3 octave: C Major Scale; Slur 2 8th notes at Quarter Note = 60
Viola & Cello: 3 octave: F Major Scale; Slur 2 8th notes at Quarter Note = 60
Bass: 3 octave F Major scale; Slur 2 8th notes at Quarter Note = 60
Theory
The Theory Assessment for Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia will include key signature identification, scale spelling, and identification of half steps and whole steps. It will be e-mailed to those auditioning for Philharmonia and Chamber Orchestra on Friday, March 14th and due by 4PM on Tuesday, March 18th. The points from the assessment will be added to the point total for the audition.
Excerpts
Please download and print your excerpts. To audition for Sinfonia, only play Sinfonia excerpts. To audition for Philharmonia, play Sinfonia and Philharmonia excerpts. To audition for Chamber Orchestra, play Sinfonia, Philharmonia, and Chamber Orchestra excerpts. Be sure to pay close attention to marked tempos and rhythmic indications.
Sample Sinfonia Excerpts (2025-2026 excerpts will be posted in January 2025)
Sinfonia 2024-2025 Violin
Sample Philharmonia Excerpts (2025-2026 excerpts will be posted in early February 2025):
Philharmonia 2024-2025 Bass V2
Sample Chamber Orchestra Excerpts (2025-2025 excerpts will be posted in Late February 2025):
Chamber Orchestra 2024-2025 Violin
Chamber Orchestra 2024-2025 Viola