8th Grade (rising 9th) Options
All 8th graders must complete the registration link with their 8th grade teacher in February 2026.
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 2026.
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 2026-2027
- Auditions will be submitted online via Dropbox by 11:45PM on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
- 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 Thursday, March 19, 2026 and must be completed by 11:45PM on Sunday, March 22, 2026
Auditions for Sinfonia, Philharmonia, and Chamber: Read this form for the instructions and the link to submit your video. Walton Orchestra Audition Upload Instructions
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 and arpeggio; Slur 2 8th notes at Quarter Note = 60; separate bow arpeggio with quarter notes QN = 60
Viola & Cello: 3 octave C Melodic Minor Scale and arpeggio; Slur 2 8th notes at Quarter Note = 60; separate bow arpeggio with quarter notes QN = 60
Bass: 2 octave G Melodic Minor Scale; separate bow 8th notes at Quarter Note =60; separate bow arpeggio with quarter notes QN = 60
Chamber Level (plays Sinfonia, Philharmona, & Chamber scales)
Violin: 3 octave: C Major Scale and Arpeggio; Slur 2 8th notes at Quarter Note = 60; separate bow arpeggio with quarter notes QN = 60
Viola & Cello: 3 octave: F Major Scale & Arpeggio; Slur 2 8th notes at Quarter Note = 60; separate bow arpeggio with quarter notes QN = 60
Bass: 3 octave F Major scale & Arpeggio; Slur 2 8th notes at Quarter Note = 60; separate bow arpeggio with quarter notes QN = 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. The assessment will be e-mailed to students auditioning for Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia on Thursday, March 19, 2026 and must be completed by 11:45PM on Sunday, March 22, 2026. 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.
Sinfonia Excerpts SAMPLE (these are from 2025-2026 auditions; 2026-2027 will be posted in January 2026)
Sinfonia 2025-2026 Violin Audition
Sinfonia 2025-2026 Viola Audition
Sinfonia 2025-2026 Cello Audition
Sinfonia 2025-2026 Bass Audition
Philharmonia Excerpts SAMPLE (these are from 2025-2026 auditions; 2026-2027 will be posted in early February 2026)
Philharmonia 2025-2026 Violin Audition (revised 2-25-25)
Philharmonia 2025-2026 Viola Audition (revised 2-25-25)
Philharmonia 2025-2026 Cello Audition (revised 2-25-25)
Philharmonia 2025-2026 Bass Audition (revised 2-25-25)
Chamber Orchestra Excerpts 2025-2026 SAMPLE (these are from 2025-2026 auditions; 2026-2027 will be posted in late February 2026)
Chamber Orchestra 2025-2026 Violin Audition
Chamber Orchestra 2025-2026 Viola Audition