8th Grade (rising 9th) Options
All 8th graders must complete the registration link in January/February 2023. It will be posted here.
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 by February 2023. The link will be posted here in January 2023.
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 2023-2024
- Auditions will be submitted online via Flip by 4PM on Tuesday, March 21, 2023
- You must have completed the registration link by the deadline above.
- The audition for Sinfonia and Philharmonia has two components: 1) Scales & Arpeggios 2) Excerpts. The auditions for Philharmonia and Chamber Orchestra also includes a Theory Assessment that will be e-mailed to you on Friday, March 17, 2023 and must be completed by 8AM on Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Auditions for Sinfonia, Philharmonia, and Chamber Due by 4PM on Tuesday, March 21st on Flip at these links. Submit to the highest level orchestra that you are auditioning. Read YOUR INSTRUMENT on the FlipGrid board for scales specifics and special instructions.
Sinfonia: https://flipgrid.com/729fd052
Philharmonia: https://flipgrid.com/b7ec2467
Chamber: https://flipgrid.com/d70776b4
As always, with a moderated Flip you may check my.flipgrid.com to confirm submission.
Scales & Arpeggios
Violins, Violas, Cellos: scales must be eighth note, slur two with QN= 60 and Arpeggios must be quarter note, separate bow with QN = 60. You will receive extra points for memorized scales. For violins, violas, and cellos: all scales should be 3 octaves; Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia violin & cello auditionees are encouraged to play 4 octaves.
Basses should play scales as written on the Walton Bass Scale Sheet. You will receive extra points for memorized scales. For bass, all scales should be 2 octaves. Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia auditionees are encouraged to play 3 octaves.
**Each year, we will select 2 scales from this list for each instrument. See the Flip instructions for this year’s scale selections.**
VIOLIN: G Major, A Major, G Melodic Minor, and A Melodic Minor
VIOLA: C Major, D Major, C Melodic Minor, and D Melodic Minor
CELLO: C Major, D Major, C Melodic Minor, and D Melodic Minor
BASS: F Major, G Major, F Melodic Minor, and G Melodic Minor (Walton Bass Scales Sheet)
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 17th and due by 8AM on Tuesday, March 21st. 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 2023-2024
Sinfonia 2023-2024 Violin
Sinfonia 2023-2024 Viola
Sinfonia 2023-2024 Cello
Sinfonia 2023-2024 Bass
Philharmonia Excerpt 2023-2024
Philharmonia 2023-2024 Violin
Philharmonia 2023-2024 Viola
Philharmonia 2023-2024 Cello
Philharmonia 2023-2024 Bass
Chamber Orchestra Excerpts 2023-2024
Chamber 2023-2024 Violin
Chamber 2023-2024 Viola
Chamber 2023-2024 Cello
Chamber 2023-2024 Bass