HS Music Auditions

Music Auditions for the 2026-2027 school year

Greetings!
Thank you for your interest in being a part of one of our performance ensembles. We look forward to hearing your audition!

If you have any additional questions, please contact dsangerm@hccs.hunter.cuny.edu

Instructions

Your audition should contain the following components:

ALL STUDENTS (Instrumental)

Be prepared to play about 2 minutes of any piece that best demonstrates your musical ability. Consider recent repertoire from your private lessons or past recital performances. You do not need piano accompaniment but students auditioning for Junior Jazz may use a play-a-long recording if they like.
Students auditioning for Junior Jazz Ensemble should prepare a piece relevant to the Jazz idiom. Repertoire could include a jazz tune, standard, or etude that demonstrates knowledge of jazz rhythm.
Be prepared for a short sight reading.

STRING INSTRUMENTS and KEYBOARD PLAYERS for Junior Band and Junior Strings

Play one, 2 octave major scale, ascending and descending, of your choice.
A note for pianists: there will be additional auditions for chamber music ensembles during the first few weeks of September.

WIND INSTRUMENTS for Junior Band, Junior Jazz and Junior Strings

VOCAL (Junior Chorus)

Students interested in joining the junior chorus class will receive a general overview of the program, and will participate in a voice-placement evaluation.
Students do not have to prepare a musical selection in order to participate in the overview or placement.

RHYTHM INSTRUMENTS (Piano, Vibraphone, Guitar, Bass, and Drums) for Junior Jazz

Drummers should be able to demonstrate knowledge of a basic swing groove as well as a straight 8th‘s groove such as rock, funk, or latin.
For pianists, knowledge of jazz lead sheet chord symbols is preferred.

For questions regarding only auditions, please email:

Luke Batson, HCHS Music Teacher

For all other inquiries, please email:

Dan Sangermano, Art and Music Department Chair

Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!

Hunter College Campus Schools
71 East 94th Street
New York, NY 10128
Elementary School: 212-860-1292
High School: 212-860-1267