All woodwind, brass and string bass/bass guitar players will be required to perform the following:

• One major and minor scale (student’s choice)
• One major and minor arpeggio (student’s choice)
• One solo piece no more than 3 minutes in duration, unaccompanied (student’s choice)

TIP – remember you are showcasing your skills. Choose scales and pieces that reflect your level of ability but at the same time you feel comfortable playing. 

TIP – your scales and arpeggios should be even, well controlled and played in tune 

TIP – your chosen piece should demonstrate musicality, style and attention to detail 

All percussion players will be required to perform the following:

• Rudiments – paradiddles, single and double stroke rolls, flam and drag (repeat each 4 times starting with the right hand and 4 times starting with the left hand)
• Drum kit rhythm patterns including fill – Latin, rock and swing (play each for 8 bars)
• One untuned or tuned percussion piece  (student’s choice)

TIP – we are looking for both tuned and untuned percussionists – versatility is important for a percussion player

TIP – your rudiments should demonstrate rhythmic strength, accuracy and control

TIP – your chosen pieces should demonstrate accuracy, control and evenness

TIP – if you do not have access to a mallet instrument at home  you could perform a piece on piano or keyboard.

All pieces should not be accompanied.

Your piece should be no more than 2 – 3 minutes long. You can choose to do a section from a longer piece but your audition video is to be no longer than 5 minutes in total.

This year there will be no sight reading component for the audition.

• Music stand or something to rest your music on
• Your music
• A video recording device
• Your instrument

This does not have to be a professional video! A smart phone, tablet or video camera is perfectly acceptable. We recommend testing the device before you record your audition to check the audio and visual quality.

• If possible choose a large, quiet location with good lighting and minimal ambient noise
• Make sure you are aware of what is in the background of your recording. A tidy, neat area is best, with few distractions. Try to set yourself up in front of a plain wall.

• Your device will need to be set up on a stable, level surface. A tripod is great if you have one but if not, use other things that you have at home like books, or a cushion, another music stand or a parent/friend with a very steady hand.
• The recording device is best set up a few metres away from you.
• You may choose to either sit or stand but make sure you are visible from head to feet, including your hands.
• The whole instrument should be visible.
• Make sure your music stand is not obscuring you or the instrument.

• Please wear neat appropriate clothing.
• Act in front of the camera as if you are in a face to face audition with one of the NSSWE conductors.
• The recording is to be continuous with minimal gaps and not edited.
• You should introduce yourself at the beginning of the recording and announce each scale or piece “My name is Jane Smith and I am going to play C Major scale”. “ I will now play…”

TIP – You will probably need a few practice recordings, so that you can check that you and your instrument are fully visible and the lighting and sound are of a decent quality. One of these takes may end up being your best performance and the one you submit, so keep the camera rolling. Often your first take will be your best so definitely record it!

TIP – Imagine you are playing for an audience not a camera- a couple of hiccups won’t detract from the conductors opinion of your performance. They will be looking for good intonation, your sound and style.

In total your audition should be no more than 5 minutes in length.

TIP – your video may be shorter than 5 minutes depending on your ability level. Please do not feel like you have to play for a full 5 minutes. Send us quality not quantity.

Please submit your video using one of the following formats

• MP4 (preferred)
• MOV
• WMV

Once your application has been received we will send an email with a personalised link to submit your video along with a short form that will need to be filled out.

TIP – If you have a Google account, you will be able to submit your video file through a link that will be sent in a Google Form. If you do not have access to Google account we will send you a link to a private folder on the NSSWE Google Drive that you will be able to upload your video file to.

TIP – If you are having trouble submitting your video audition please contact manager@nsswe.org.au for technical help. Please don’t give up. We will find a solution to suit you.

Please label your file using your full name and instrument. For example Jane_Smith_Flute.MP4

All video auditions should be submitted by 5pm Sunday 3 November.

TIP – Uploading your video may take a long time. You should allow a minimum of 15 minutes for a 5 minute video. Please be patient during this process and do not leave it until the last minute.

Your video will be assessed by the NSSWE conducting team. It will not be made public or shared outside of the NSSWE organisation. Once it has been assessed and the audition process has been completed, it will be deleted.

All applicants will be emailed the result of their audition in December