It is our policy to allow up to two excused absences per semester. Mandatory attendance is required for the rehearsal the week before the concert and on the concert date. It is important for students and parents to check the Camerata rehearsal and concert schedule well in advance for any foreseeable conflicts such as SAT tests or other prior obligations and report them in advance.

All absences should be reported directly to the Preparatory Office. A student that is absent more than four times may lose their place in Camerata.

Tardiness: Rehearsals will begin on time. Please arrive early and be ready to be seated and tuned as soon as the stage is set. Latecomers who arrive after the rehearsal has begun will be seated at the back of their section.

Excessive tardiness and/or absences may result in a permanent change of seating.

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Seating: Section assignments will be made at the first rehearsal of each semester.

Music: Each student will receive a folder of music at the beginning of each semester and is expected to bring it to every rehearsal with a pencil and be responsible for marking any bowings, fingerings or other directions given by the conductor.

Tuning: Sections will be tuned one by one from the cello upwards and then check each individual string in unison. The sections will respectfully wait their turn quietly without talking or playing. Full attention is required for listening to open string matching.

Food and drink: No food or drink is permitted in the concert hall.

Concert dress:
    Girls: Black mid-length skirt or black slacks and white blouse.
    Boys: Black slacks and white shirt (no tie).
No sneakers/ gym shoes/athletic shoes permitted.

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Auditions are required and take place in May for the following school year. Applications for an audition must be submitted. It is requested that students have their teacher's approval before completing an application. Audition requirements are as follows:

• Scales: Violins, violas and cellos should be prepared to play a 3-octave major and parallel melodic minor scale of their choice from keys up to 3 sharps or 3 flats. (Requirement for bass is a 2-octave scale). Scales are to be prepared in whole bow slurs, 4 notes to a bow, 6 notes to a bow and 8 notes to a bow. Demonstration of martele, spiccato and sautille strokes will be asked. Metronome marking of 60 per bow stroke is recommended. The student may be asked to play a 2-octave arpeggio (major/minor diminished and dominant 7).
  
  
• Solo Piece: A movement of a concerto or a single solo piece that shows a range of technical and musical skills.
  
  
• Prepared Excerpt: The following excerpts are provided for each student:
  
  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Cello
  
  
• Sight Reading: A brief selection of sight-reading will be given to each student during the audition.
  
  

You can download these Audition Requirements as a PDF.

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