To help each musician achieve their goals, we’ve put together a summary of technical guidelines for each ensemble and level. Repertoire examples are not requirements, but are approximate examples.

In addition to technical and musical proficiency, we take into account work ethic, attitude, and communication. Check out our “Promotion Philosophy” video for more information on how we approach promotion.

Strings

Violin
Symphony Orchestra

Violin 1
An excellent command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in all positions. Can handle large (10+ pages) works with ease. Currently studying major standard repertoire (Mendelssohn, Brahms, Tchaikovsky concertos)

Violin 2
A good command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in 1st-5th positions, and some experience in high positions. Can handle moderately large (4-6 page) works with ease. Currently studying introductory concert repertoire (Bloch’s Baal Schem).

VIOLIN
PREPARATORY ORCHESTRA

Violin 1
A mature intermediate command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in 1st-4th positions, and some experience in high positions. Can handle moderate (3-4 pages) works with ease. Currently studying technical developmental repertoire (Schubert’s Bee, Massenet’s Thais Meditation).

Violin 2
An intermediate command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in 1st-3rd positions, and some experience in 4th-5th positions. Can handle moderate (2-3 pages) works with ease. Currently studying introductory intermediate repertoire (Seitz g-minor concerto).

VIOLIN
YOUTH STRINGS

Violin 1
A functional command of intonation, tone, and some experience with vibrato in 1st and 3rd positions. Can handle small (1-2 pages) works with ease. Currently studying technical late beginner repertoire (Rieding Pupil’s Concerto).

Violin 2
An introductory command of intonation and tone in 1st position. Can handle short (1 page) works with ease. Currently studying beginner repertoire (Bach G Major Minuet).



VIOLA
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Principal Positions
An excellent command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in all positions. Can handle large (10+ pages) works with ease. Currently studying major standard repertoire (Walton, Bartok concertos)

Section Positions
A good command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in 1st-5th positions, and some experience in high positions. Can handle moderately large (4-6 page) works with ease. Currently studying introductory concert repertoire (Stamitz Concerto).

VIOLA
PREPARATORY ORCHESTRA

Principal Positions
A mature intermediate command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in 1st-4th positions, and some experience in high positions. Can handle moderate (3-4 pages) works with ease. Currently studying technical developmental repertoire (Cassadesus Concerto).

Section Positions
An intermediate command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in 1st-3rd positions, and some experience in 4th-5th positions. Can handle moderate (2-3 pages) works with ease. Currently studying introductory intermediate repertoire (Hoffmeister Concerto).

VIOLA
YOUTH STRINGS

Section Leaders
A functional command of intonation, tone, and some experience with vibrato in 1st and 3rd positions. Can handle small (1-2 pages) works with ease. Currently studying technical late beginner repertoire (Rieding Pupil’s Concerto).

Section
An introductory command of intonation and tone in 1st position. Can handle short (1 page) works with ease. Currently studying beginner repertoire (Bach G Major Minuet).



CELLO
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Principal Positions
An excellent command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in all positions and fluent reading in all clefs. Can handle large (10+ pages) works with ease. Currently studying major standard repertoire (Haydn, Kabalevsky, Dvorak Concertos)

Section Positions
A good command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in 1st-7th positions, and some experience in high positions. Comfortable reading tenor clef, and proficient in thumb position. Can handle moderately large (4-6 page) works with ease. Currently studying introductory concert repertoire (Saint-Saens Allegro Appasionato).

CELLO
PREPARATORY ORCHESTRA

Principal Positions
A mature intermediate command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in 1st-5th positions, and some experience in high positions. Some experience reading tenor clef, and some experience in thumb position. Can handle moderate (3-4 pages) works with ease. Currently studying technical developmental repertoire (Goltermann Concerto no. 3).

Section Positions
An intermediate command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in 1st-4th positions, and some experience in 4th-5th positions. Can handle moderate (2-3 pages) works with ease. Currently studying introductory intermediate repertoire (Vivaldi Sonata RV40 Largo).

CELLO
YOUTH STRINGS

Section Leaders
A functional command of intonation, tone, and some experience with vibrato in 1st-3rd positions. Can handle small (1-2 pages) works with ease. Currently studying technical late beginner repertoire (Rieding Pupil’s Concerto).

Section
An introductory command of intonation and tone in 1st position. Can handle short (1 page) works with ease. Currently studying beginner repertoire (Bach G Major Minuet).

CONTRABASS
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Principal Positions
An excellent command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in all positions and fluent reading in all clefs. Can handle large (10+ pages) works with ease. Currently studying major standard repertoire (Haydn, Kabalevsky, Dvorak Concertos)

Section Positions
A good command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in 1st-7th positions, and some experience in high positions. Comfortable reading tenor clef, and proficient in thumb position. Can handle moderately large (4-6 page) works with ease. Currently studying introductory concert repertoire (Saint-Saens Allegro Appasionato).

CONTRABASS
PREPARATORY ORCHESTRA

Principal Positions
An excellent command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in all positions and fluent reading in all clefs. Can handle large (10+ pages) works with ease. Currently studying major standard repertoire (Haydn, Kabalevsky, Dvorak Concertos)

Section Positions
A good command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in 1st-7th positions, and some experience in high positions. Comfortable reading tenor clef, and proficient in thumb position. Can handle moderately large (4-6 page) works with ease. Currently studying introductory concert repertoire (Saint-Saens Allegro Appasionato).

CONTRABASS
YOUTH STRINGS

Principal Positions
An excellent command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in all positions and fluent reading in all clefs. Can handle large (10+ pages) works with ease. Currently studying major standard repertoire (Haydn, Kabalevsky, Dvorak Concertos)

Section Positions
A good command of intonation, tone, and vibrato in 1st-7th positions, and some experience in high positions. Comfortable reading tenor clef, and proficient in thumb position. Can handle moderately large (4-6 page) works with ease. Currently studying introductory concert repertoire (Saint-Saens Allegro Appasionato).