Auditions for the 2023-2024 season have passed.
Audition information for the 2024-2025 season will be posted in April 2024.
Audition information for the 2024-2025 season will be posted in April 2024.
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 within 48 hours to give you an audition time.
If you will be unable to attend auditions in-person on June 3rd, we will be in touch with you about alternate options!
If you will be unable to attend auditions in-person on June 3rd, we will be in touch with you about alternate options!
Audition Process
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Bowed string players (violinists, violists, cellists, or bassists), enrolled in grades 9-12 during the 2023-2024 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.
Students who will be in 9th grade are eligible to participate in either the High School Program or Middle School Program. Any 9th graders auditioning for the High School Program who may need more time to develop technical skills on their instruments will be encouraged to play in the Gilbert Town Fiddlers through participation in the Middle School Program.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
1) A required 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 2023 Audition Tune are now available here.
2) Scales and arpeggios, up to 3 sharps and 3 flats. All scales and arpeggios should be performed memorized, in at least 2 octaves.
Students will be asked to play up to 3 scales/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).
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.
Students should prepare no more than 4 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 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 at New Hope Community Church in Gilbert (1380 E. Guadalupe Rd.), where our weekly rehearsals take place. After we receive your application, we will contact you with an audition time to be scheduled during the morning or early afternoon of Saturday, June 3rd.
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 2023-2024 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.
Students who will be in 9th grade are eligible to participate in either the High School Program or Middle School Program. Any 9th graders auditioning for the High School Program who may need more time to develop technical skills on their instruments will be encouraged to play in the Gilbert Town Fiddlers through participation in the Middle School Program.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
1) A required 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 2023 Audition Tune are now available here.
2) Scales and arpeggios, up to 3 sharps and 3 flats. All scales and arpeggios should be performed memorized, in at least 2 octaves.
Students will be asked to play up to 3 scales/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).
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.
Students should prepare no more than 4 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 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 at New Hope Community Church in Gilbert (1380 E. Guadalupe Rd.), where our weekly rehearsals take place. After we receive your application, we will contact you with an audition time to be scheduled during the morning or early afternoon of Saturday, June 3rd.
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 2023-2024 season is $500 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.
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Rehearsals are held on THURSDAY nights from 5:15-7:15 PM during the school year (August through May). Our first rehearsal of the 2023-2024 season will be held on Thursday, August 24th. Rehearsals are held at:
New Hope Community Church 1380 E. Guadalupe Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85234 |