The standard violin audition excerpts

Preparing for the audition

What should I listen for when preparing an orchestral excerpt?

Check rhythm, intonation, articulation, sound and the role of your part in the full score. Listen for a reliable entrance and a steady pulse through the difficult transition. The actual panel and audition notice determine the selection criteria; Arco does not rank those criteria on their behalf.

How do I know which excerpts and editions to prepare?

Use the current notice from the orchestra or school, including its instrument, round, cuts, bar numbers and edition instructions. This reference library is a starting point for practice, not evidence that a passage appears on your particular audition list.

How far in advance should I start preparing?

Work backward from the confirmed date with your teacher. Separate unfamiliar notes and fingerings from passages you can already play, then leave time to join sections and rehearse a complete run. The right preparation period depends on your starting point and the actual list; no fixed number of weeks guarantees readiness.

Should I use the bowings printed in my part?

First follow any instructions and marked parts provided by the organisation. Discuss unmarked bowing and fingering decisions with your teacher, checking the whole phrase and orchestral context. A familiar tradition can be useful, but it does not override the instructions for your audition.