Honors Orchestra Auditions on Monday, September 15

Please see the information below regarding Honors Orchestra Auditions on Monday, September 15
 
1. Director Responsibilities 
2. Director Pre-registration link
3. Information from Mairi Cooper/Student Registration Information
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1. Director Responsibilities (Procedures)
 
Honors Strings Audition Day is open to string musicians enrolled in District 1 schools whose directors are current members of District 1.  Those students in grades 9-12 must attend this audition to have the opportunity to qualify for PMEA Honors String Orchestra.  Any student interested in auditioning for the String Bass seat in District 1 Band, must audition at District 1 Honors Strings Audition Day and indicate interest in District 1 Band at registration. (new this year - approved August 2025)

1. Honors Strings Audition Day Director Registration Form:  Directors must complete the Honors Strings Audition Day Director Registration Form to attend.  You will include an estimated number of students attending and their audition room(s).  In addition, you must also include a copy of your PMEA card. This will be verified and must be current before students can audition.  You will receive this google form in your email or can access it from the District 1 website.  
2. DIRECTOR/PROXY ATTENDANCE: Each director must attend auditions or provide a current PMEA member as a substitute. This substitute cannot be responsible for representing any other school at the audition.  Please be sure to make note of this on the Honors Strings Audition Day Director Registration Form or contact the PMEA District 1 President or Festival Coordinator as early as possible so judging assignments can be made accordingly.  Every director/proxy will have an assignment for the audition timeframe.  
3. MEETING ATTENDANCE: Each director/proxy must attend the Director Meeting prior to auditions.  During this time, the audition procedures will be reviewed, updates will be announced and discussion for future auditions and festivals will occur as needed and judging assignments will be announced.

 
Audition Procedures & Practices

1. Student audition numbers (procedure) will be randomly assigned and not based on order of arrival/registration. They will be sorted following the close of registration at 5pm.
2. Students must use paper copies of the music; no iPads or similar devices are permitted in the audition room.
3. Digital scoring will be used; paper copies of scores may be used if there are connection issues. All directors are expected to bring a device in order to submit digital scoresheets.

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2. Director Pre-Registration
 
All directors attending the Honors Orchestra auditions on Monday, September 15 are asked to complete THIS FORM by Friday, September 12. All directors will be assigned a role during auditions as required for your students to participate.  Please indicate your instrumental specialties so that appropriate assignments can be made for the best interest of the students. 
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3. Information from host Mairi Cooper/Student Registration Information
 
Dear PMEA directors,

I hope that you had a relaxing summer and are transitioning into the school year with ease. PMEA auditions for honors orchestra are right around the corner and we are happy to once again be welcoming you to Fox Chapel Area High School (611 Field Club Road, PIttsburgh PA) on Monday September 15th. Please use the auditorium entrance (around the back of the school by parking lot D)

Please plan on arriving between 3:30-4:45pm so that we can begin the directors’ meeting promptly at 5pm. A PMEA officer will be here to collect each student’s $5 and to assign them a number.
 
Unfortunately, the directors’ dinner is not covered by PMEA. My parent organization will provide snacks and drinks but you should plan on packing a dinner or purchasing pizza from my students when you arrive. There will be pizza available for purchase for your students, as well.

The repertoire can be found at the District 1 PMEA website: Audition Repertoire for Honors Orchestra. 

Registration is going to occur ONLINE before you arrive. Please share the links below with your students. You will also find a poster with a QR code attached to this for your students to use for registration.
 
Violin Audition Registration
Viola Audition Registration
Cello Audition Registration
Bass Audition Registration
 
I am looking forward to seeing all of you. 
 
Mairi