Central ensembles

Young musicians applying for a place in Birmingham Schools’ Junior String Orchestra will be invited to an audition workshop session in September (date TBC). Musicians applying for Birmingham Schools’ String Sinfonia, Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra will be invited to individual auditions.

Please prepare one contrasting piece appropriate to the entry level of the ensemble you are applying for. Repertoire should be prepared in conjunction with your instrumental teacher and preferably from the ABRSM or Trinity Syllabus.

You are also required to play an ensemble-specific piece, as detailed in the sections below. Click on the relevant link below to download the music.

Young musicians applying for a place in Birmingham Schools’ Training Wind Orchestra, Training Jazz and Brass Attack will be invited to an audition workshop session in September (date TBC). Musicians applying for Birmingham Schools’ Concert Band,Wind Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Brass Band and Jazz Ensemble will be invited to individual auditions.

Please prepare one contrasting piece appropriate to the entry level of the ensemble you are applying for. Repertoire should be prepared in conjunction with your instrumental teacher and preferably from the ABRSM or Trinity Syllabus.

You are also required to play an ensemble-specific piece, as detailed in the sections below. Click on the relevant link below to download the music.

Young musicians applying for a place in Birmingham Schools’ Training Guitar Ensemble will be invited to an audition workshop session in September (date TBC). Musicians applying for Birmingham Schools’ Guitar Sinfonia and Ensemble will be invited to individual auditions.

Training Guitar Ensemble:
Please prepare one piece of approximately grade 2 standard and prepare Carnavalito.

Candidates should pay close attention clear tone production, projection, technical details and expressive details.

Guitar Sinfonia:
Please prepare two contrasting pieces of approximately grade 4 standard.

Where appropriate, candidates should demonstrate effective use of rest strokes and free strokes within the pieces. As well as demonstrating an understanding of form and phrasing, candidates should pay close attention clear tone production, projection, technical details and expressive details.

Candidates may be asked to demonstrate a selection of the following: basic techniques such as free strokes and rest strokes and a two octave C major scale including a position shift.

Guitar Ensemble:
Please prepare two contrasting pieces of approximately grade 6 standard.

Where appropriate, candidates should demonstrate effective use of rest strokes and free strokes within the pieces. As well as demonstrating an understanding of form and phrasing, candidates should pay close attention to clear tone production, projection, technical details and expressive details.

Candidates may be asked to demonstrate a selection of the following: basic techniques such as free strokes and rest strokes; a one octave scale (candidates choice) played legato, staccato and pizzicato; played with natural, ponticello and tasto tone; played in artificial harmonics.

Young musicians applying for a place in Birmingham Schools’ Training Wind Orchestra, Training Percussion and Brass Attack will be invited to an audition workshop session in September (date TBC). Musicians applying for Birmingham Schools’ Concert Band, Wind Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Brass Band and Percussion Ensemble will be invited to individual auditions.  

All students attending a Central Ensemble audition should present 2 prepared pieces on any combination of percussion instruments (including drum kit).

This can be 2 pieces on the same instrument.

If auditioning for Symphony Orchestra, students must include a timpani piece. Pieces with backing track should be performed with the tracks in the audition.

A CD player/sound system will be provided.

Students will also be asked to play a duet with a member of the audition panel.

Download our duet pieces here.

Young musicians applying for a place in Birmingham Schools’ Singers will be invited to an audition workshop session in September (date TBC). 

The audition starts with an introduction and information talk for parents and singers led by conductor Ruth Roberts.

This is followed by a short choral workshop for auditioning singers.

The singers will confirm their contact details before singing to one of the two audition panels in another room. This is less than 5 minutes long and consists of range & pitch tests plus their own choice of song, which has been prepared with their singing teacher.

We always strive to make it a friendly and inclusive experience.

Singers will need to bring music and/or backing tracks with them. Their choice of song can be either Pop/Contemporary/Music Theatre/Folk/Jazz and be well prepared so the panel can hear your vocal range and quality.