Auditions for the the 2026-2027 season are closed.
Audition information for the 2027-2028 season will be posted in March 2027.
Audition information for the 2027-2028 season will be posted in March 2027.
Audition Scheduling
Follow these 3 simple steps!
1) Fill out an online registration form:
2) Submit a non-refundable $20 audition fee.
3) Thanks! We will contact you via email to give you an audition time.
Audition Process
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Bowed string players (violinists, violists, cellists, or bassists), enrolled in grades 9-12 during the 2026-2027 school year, who are also members of their school orchestra programs. (Homeschooled students of appropriate age, students who are enrolled in online school, and those whose schools do not have orchestra programs are also welcome to apply!)
Students do not need to have prior fiddling experience! We are looking for musicians who are eager to learn about our creative, collaborative approach to music-making and excited to perform for a variety of audiences.
There are two high school groups: one for students who are newer to and/or developing their fiddling skills, and one for more skilled fiddlers who have significant experience learning by ear, improvising, and arranging in groups. Students are assigned to one of these two groups through the audition process.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
1) The GTF 2026 High School Audition Tune, to be learned by ear.
This audition requirement helps students prepare for the way they will learn music in GTF. Recordings of the tune are posted two weeks prior to auditions. Recordings of the 2026 Audition Tune are available HERE.
2) Major scales and arpeggios, up to 3 sharps and 3 flats. See below for more details.
Students will be asked to play up to 3 scales and 3 arpeggios. Additionally, students should be able to explain the key signatures for each scale (e.g., the key of D major has two sharps, F# and C#) and correctly name the pitches in an arpeggio (e.g., the D arpeggio is D, F#, and A).
All scales and arpeggios should be be performed memorized, in at least 2 octaves. Students should play scales and arpeggios no slower than quarter note = 80 (with each pitch being played as a quarter note).
Students who wish to be considered for the more skilled group are expected to perform scales and arpeggios in 3 octaves, no slower than quarter note = 92 (with each pitch being played as a quarter note or in the "All-State Rhythm").
Scales and arpeggios help us to gauge each student's technical proficiency and knowledge of music theory. Notably, having active knowledge of arpeggios helps students to more quickly learn and develop accompaniment skills like the ones used in GTF.
3) Musical material of the student's choice (under 2 minutes).
Students should prepare no more than 2 minutes of music (in addition to the required Audition Tune). We would like to hear whatever you think best showcases your musical strengths, interests, and abilities! This might include any of the following:
- a portion of a classical piece
- a fiddle tune
- an original composition
- a song
- a medley of melodies you assemble
- an improvised solo
- something fast and something slow
...or any combination of the above ideas! We encourage creativity in your preparation!
Remember, choose material that best showcases your musical strengths, interests, and abilities!
Note: sight reading is not a part of our auditions, as all music is learned and developed by ear.
4) A short, interactive activity depending on the student's experience. See below.
A: For students NEW to GTF: a short "ear training" activity where students are asked to repeat short phrases, by ear, played by a GTF staff member on the same instrument as the student.
B: For students RETURNING to GTF: a short "call & response" improvisation, as done in rehearsals.
C: For students who want to be considered for the more skilled group: Each student will be expected to play "Nail The Catfish To The Tree" two times: first comping chords for a GTF staff member, then improvising a solo while a GTF staff member comps chords.
5) A short chat, 3-5 minutes, with GTF Teaching Staff.
We are looking for enthusiastic, curious, community-minded musicians! Be prepared to talk briefly about your background and interests, both musical and otherwise.
WHAT TO WEAR
This is an informal audition. Feel free to dress comfortably, but appropriately.
WHERE TO GO
Auditions will be held in-person in Downtown Mesa. After we receive your application, we will contact you with an audition time and location.
WHAT IF I'M OUT OF TOWN AND UNABLE TO MAKE AN IN-PERSON AUDITION?
Great question! We would love to find a time to connect with you about other audition options. Please fill out an Audition Registration Form and we'll be in touch!
Bowed string players (violinists, violists, cellists, or bassists), enrolled in grades 9-12 during the 2026-2027 school year, who are also members of their school orchestra programs. (Homeschooled students of appropriate age, students who are enrolled in online school, and those whose schools do not have orchestra programs are also welcome to apply!)
Students do not need to have prior fiddling experience! We are looking for musicians who are eager to learn about our creative, collaborative approach to music-making and excited to perform for a variety of audiences.
There are two high school groups: one for students who are newer to and/or developing their fiddling skills, and one for more skilled fiddlers who have significant experience learning by ear, improvising, and arranging in groups. Students are assigned to one of these two groups through the audition process.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
1) The GTF 2026 High School Audition Tune, to be learned by ear.
This audition requirement helps students prepare for the way they will learn music in GTF. Recordings of the tune are posted two weeks prior to auditions. Recordings of the 2026 Audition Tune are available HERE.
2) Major scales and arpeggios, up to 3 sharps and 3 flats. See below for more details.
Students will be asked to play up to 3 scales and 3 arpeggios. Additionally, students should be able to explain the key signatures for each scale (e.g., the key of D major has two sharps, F# and C#) and correctly name the pitches in an arpeggio (e.g., the D arpeggio is D, F#, and A).
All scales and arpeggios should be be performed memorized, in at least 2 octaves. Students should play scales and arpeggios no slower than quarter note = 80 (with each pitch being played as a quarter note).
Students who wish to be considered for the more skilled group are expected to perform scales and arpeggios in 3 octaves, no slower than quarter note = 92 (with each pitch being played as a quarter note or in the "All-State Rhythm").
Scales and arpeggios help us to gauge each student's technical proficiency and knowledge of music theory. Notably, having active knowledge of arpeggios helps students to more quickly learn and develop accompaniment skills like the ones used in GTF.
3) Musical material of the student's choice (under 2 minutes).
Students should prepare no more than 2 minutes of music (in addition to the required Audition Tune). We would like to hear whatever you think best showcases your musical strengths, interests, and abilities! This might include any of the following:
- a portion of a classical piece
- a fiddle tune
- an original composition
- a song
- a medley of melodies you assemble
- an improvised solo
- something fast and something slow
...or any combination of the above ideas! We encourage creativity in your preparation!
Remember, choose material that best showcases your musical strengths, interests, and abilities!
Note: sight reading is not a part of our auditions, as all music is learned and developed by ear.
4) A short, interactive activity depending on the student's experience. See below.
A: For students NEW to GTF: a short "ear training" activity where students are asked to repeat short phrases, by ear, played by a GTF staff member on the same instrument as the student.
B: For students RETURNING to GTF: a short "call & response" improvisation, as done in rehearsals.
C: For students who want to be considered for the more skilled group: Each student will be expected to play "Nail The Catfish To The Tree" two times: first comping chords for a GTF staff member, then improvising a solo while a GTF staff member comps chords.
5) A short chat, 3-5 minutes, with GTF Teaching Staff.
We are looking for enthusiastic, curious, community-minded musicians! Be prepared to talk briefly about your background and interests, both musical and otherwise.
WHAT TO WEAR
This is an informal audition. Feel free to dress comfortably, but appropriately.
WHERE TO GO
Auditions will be held in-person in Downtown Mesa. After we receive your application, we will contact you with an audition time and location.
WHAT IF I'M OUT OF TOWN AND UNABLE TO MAKE AN IN-PERSON AUDITION?
Great question! We would love to find a time to connect with you about other audition options. Please fill out an Audition Registration Form and we'll be in touch!
Tuition & Rehearsals
Tuition for the 2026-2027 season is $550 per student. Tuition is non-refundable.
Tuition includes: rehearsal costs/expenses, instruction during rehearsals, and private workshops with guest clinicians.
Tuition does not include: uniform, travel, food, and some expenses for the GTF Summer Retreat and Winter Summit. When these expenses arise, parents will be notified in advance. In future seasons, through community donations and grants, we hope to be able to cover these expenses for our students and offer tuition scholarships.
Tuition includes: rehearsal costs/expenses, instruction during rehearsals, and private workshops with guest clinicians.
Tuition does not include: uniform, travel, food, and some expenses for the GTF Summer Retreat and Winter Summit. When these expenses arise, parents will be notified in advance. In future seasons, through community donations and grants, we hope to be able to cover these expenses for our students and offer tuition scholarships.
Rehearsals are held on THURSDAY nights from 6:00-8:00 PM during the school year (August through May). Rehearsal location for 2026-2027 TBA in the East Valley. Our first rehearsal of the 2026-2027 season will be in mid-August.