Student musician profile

CMPI is focused on supporting students from ethnic backgrounds that are under-represented in the professional orchestra field, including African-American, Latinx, American Indian, Alaskan Native, and/or South Asian and Pacific Islander. Students who are not part of one of those ethnic groups may also qualify if their family is low-income or will be the first in their family to attend college.

Dedicated and Driven

CMPI is a highly selective and intensive musical training program.  Students who apply must be highly driven and dedicated and aspire to a professional career in orchestral music.   Musicians should expect to practice at least ten hours each week outside of rehearsal and lesson time. This program will also require students to attend concerts, engage with professional musician mentors, and attend other events aimed at helping students to prepare for college and beyond.

Music Experience

Although there is no specific requirement for years of playing experience, students should carefully review the suggested repertoire and pre-screening guide for both the pre-screening and final audition.  Students should be comfortable performing the requirements which are outlined if they are considering an audition in the spring.

Instrument Eligibility

This program is for regular orchestral instruments:

  • Violin, viola, cello, double bass
  • Flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon
  • Trumpet, horn, trombone/bass trombone, tuba
  • Percussion, harp

Note: This program is not for students whose primary instruments are euphonium, saxophone, piano, guitar or voice 

key dates

Because this is a highly selective program, the audition process will consist of several important components:

  • Pre-screening for a live panel – April 
  • Trial Lessons – April through May
  • Home visits and interviews – May
  • Final auditions – May
  • Final decisions – June 1

Audition repertoire and pre-screening guide

See below for suggested repertoire by instrument. However, we will listen to the solo/etude literature that you have prepared. Direct questions to info@chicagopathways.org.

Bass

Grades 11 – 12
  • 1 movement from a standard concerto (Ex. Koussevitzky, Dittersdorf, Dragonetti)
  • 1 movement solo Bach
  • 1 standard etude
    Students may pick 2 of the three selections from the above list, but are highly encouraged to prepare all three. The number of prepared selections presented will be considered alongside other factors
  • All Major and minor scales
Grades 9 – 10
  • 1 movement from a standard concerto
  • 1 contrasting solo piece
  • 1 standard Etude
    Students may pick 2 of the three selections from the above list, but are highly encouraged to prepare all three. The number of prepared selections presented will be considered alongside other factors
  • All Major and minor scales
Grades 6 – 8
  • 2 contrasting solo pieces
  • Any scales the student has prepared

Bass Trombone

Grades 11 – 12
Grades 9 – 10
  • Any of the following selections: Telemann Sonata in F minor (mvmts. 1 & 2) OR Bass Trombone version of Galliard Sonata No. 1. (mvmts. 1 & 2) OR Lieb Concertino Basso (all three movements)
  • Bordogni (Rochut) etude No. 5 or 13; should be performed down one octave from written part
  • All major scales. Two octaves should be played to high F and down to pedal Bb
Grades 6 – 8
  • One etude from First Book of Practical Studies for Trombone by G. Bordner, one etude from 70 Progressive Etudes for Bass Trombone by L. Gillis
  • Bb, Eb, Ab, F Major scales one octave; C Major scale two octaves

Bassoon

Grades 11 – 12
Grades 9 – 10
  • 2 contrasting etudes from “5 Studies in Scales and Chords” Op. 24 or “50 Concert Studies” Op. 26 by L. Milde, or “The Bassoon Studies, Op. 8 by J. Weissenborn
  • All major scales; 2 octaves
  • Excerpt from Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
Grades 6 – 8
  • 2 contrasting solo pieces or etudes
  • 3 to 6 scales, one must be 2 octaves

Cello

Grades 11 – 12
  • 1 movement from a standard concerto
  • 1 movement solo Bach
  • 1 standard etude
    Students may pick 2 of the three selections from the above list, but are highly encouraged to prepare all three. The number of prepared selections presented will be considered alongside other factors
  • All Major and minor scales
Grades 9 – 10
  • 1 movement from a standard concerto
  • 1 contrasting solo piece
  • 1 standard Etude
    Students may pick 2 of the three selections from the above list, but are highly encouraged to prepare all three. The number of prepared selections presented will be considered alongside other factors
  • All Major and minor scales
Grades 6 – 8
  • 2 contrasting solo pieces
  • Any scales the student has prepared

Clarinet

Grades 11 – 12
Grades 9 – 10
Grades 6 – 8
  • 2 contrasting solo pieces or etudes
  • Major scales through 3 sharps and 3 flats, 2 octaves

Flute

Grades 11 – 12
  • 1st movement from Mozart Flute Concerto G Major K. 313, or D Major K. 314
  • 1 contrasting solo from “Flute Music by French Composers”, Ed. Louis Moyse
  • All major and minor (harmonic and melodic forms) scales with arpeggio over the full range of the instrument
  • Excerpts from Beethoven Leonore Overture; Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Grades 9 – 10
Grades 6 – 8
  • 2 contrasting pieces selected from “36 Repertoire Pieces”, Ed. Donald Peck or “Concert and Contest Collection”, Ed. H. Voxman
  • Major scales through 3 sharps and 3 flats, 2 octaves

French Horn

Grades 11 – 12
  • 2 contrasting movements from a standard Concerto, Sonata, or etude such as Mozart Horn Concerto No.2, R. Strauss Horn Concerto No.1, Hindemith Sonata, or Dukas Villanelle
  • All Major and minor scales 2 octaves with arpeggio
  • Excerpts from R. Strauss Till Eulenspiegels…; Shostakovich Sym. no.5 1st Movement; Tchaikovsky Sym. no.5; Ravel Pavane
Grades 9 – 10
  • 2 contrasting etudes or solos
  • All Major scales 2 octaves
  • Excerpts from Tchaikovsky Symphony #4; Mendelssohn “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Nocturne
Grades 6 – 8
  • 2 contrasting pieces from “60 Selected Studies for Horn, Book 1” G. Kopprasch or “60 Selected Studies for Horn, Books 1-2” J.M. Maxine-Alphonse
  • Major scales to 3 sharps & flats; F, and G major scales 2 octaves

Harp

Grades 11 – 12
  • 2 contrasting movements or solo pieces
  • All Major and minor scales
Grades 9 – 10
  • 2 contrasting movements or solo pieces
  • All Major and minor scales
Grades 6 – 8
  • 2 contrasting pieces
  • Major scales and minor scales

Oboe

Grades 11 – 12
  • 1 movement from a standard concerto
  • 1 Etude from “Complete Method for Oboe”, by A.M.S. Barret or “48 Etudes”, by F.W. Ferling
  • All major and minor (harmonic and melodic forms) scales with arpeggio over the full range of the instrument
  • Excerpts from Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4; Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin
Grades 9 – 10
  • 2 contrasting etudes from “Complete Method for Oboe”, by A.M.S. Barret or “48 Etudes”, by F.W. Ferling
  • All major scales; 1 octave when appropriate
  • Excerpts from Beethoven Symphony #3 Marche Funebre
Grades 6 – 8
  • 2 contrasting solo pieces or etudes
  • 3 to 6 scales, one must be 2 octaves

Percussion

Grades 11 – 12
  • Mallets: All major and minor scales, straight through with eighth notes with quarter note=120; Keyboard solo or etude, may be performed on either marimba or xylophone. Excerpt: Gershwin, Porgy and Bess
  • Timpani: demonstration of tuning ability Excerpt: Beethoven Symphony No. 9
  • Snare: Snare drum solo or etude; Demonstration of selected rudiments (see attached pdf) Excerpt: Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
Grades 9 – 10
  • Mallets: All major scales, two octaves, straight through with eighth notes with quarter note=80; Keyboard solo or etude, may be performed on either marimba or xylophone
  • Snare: Demonstration of selected rudiments (download here); snare drum solo or etude
Grades 6 – 8
  • Mallets: 1 mallet etude; C, F, B-flat, E-flat, G major scales
  • Snare: 1 snare etude; Demonstration of buzz roll; demonstration of open roll (pp to ff)

Trombone

Grades 11 – 12
Grades 9 – 10
  • Any of the following selections: Telemann Sonata in F minor (mvmts. 1 & 2); Galliard Sonata No. 1. (mvmts. 1 & 2); Lieb Concertino Basso (all three movements); Ropartz Andante and Allegro; Marcello Sonata in F Major mvmts. (1, 2, and 4)
  • Bordogni (Rochut) etude No. 5 or 13
  • All major scales; Two octaves should be played to high Bb
Grades 6 – 8
  • One etude from First Book of Practical Studies for Trombone by G. Bordner, One contrasting etude from VanderCook Etudes for Trombone
  • C, Bb, Eb, Ab Major scales one octave; F Major scale two octaves

Trumpet

Grades 11 – 12
  • 2 contrasting movements from a standard solo or etudes such as Hummell Trumpet Concerto Op. 49, Haydn Trumpet Concerto : VIIe/1, Arutunian Concerto for Trumpet, Kennan Sonata for Trumpet, Hindemith Sonata for Trumpet, or Charlier Transcendental Etudes)
  • All Major and minor scales; 2 octaves Gb through C, 1 octave Db through F
  • Excerpts from Mussorgsky/Ravel “Pictures at an Exhibition” Promenade; Beethoven Leonore Overture 2 and Leonore Overture 3; Gershwin An American in Paris
Grades 9 – 10
  • 2 contrasting etudes or solos (Ex. “Andante et Allegro” by Ropartz, Concert Etude by Goedicke, “Practical Etudes” by Robert Getchell)
  • All major scales; 2 octaves; 2 octaves Gb through C, 1 octave Db through F
Grades 6 – 8
  • 2 contrasting etudes (Ex. “Practical Etudes” by Robert Getchell, “32 Etudes” by Sigmond Herring)
  • Major scales through 3 sharps and 3 flats, G and A major scales 2 octaves

Tuba

Grades 11 – 12
Grades 9 – 10
  • 2 contrasting movements, solos or etudes (Ex: 2 movements from Vaughn-Williams Six Studies in English Folk Song, Advanced etudes from Marco Bordogni or Vladislav Blazevich)
  • All major scales, two octaves to high Bb
Grades 6 – 8
  • 2 contrasting solos or etudes (Ex: Marcello Sonata in F, early Bordogni etudes (no.1 through no. 5), Honor and Arms by Handel
  • C, Bb, Eb, Ab Major scales, one octave up to F

Viola

Grades 11 – 12
  • 1 movement from a standard concerto
  • 1 movement solo Bach
  • 1 standard etude
    Students may pick 2 of the three selections from the above list, but are highly encouraged to prepare all three. The number of prepared selections presented will be considered alongside other factors
  • All Major and minor scales
Grades 9 – 10
  • 1 movement from a standard concerto
  • 1 contrasting solo piece
  • 1 standard Etude
    Students may pick 2 of the three selections from the above list, but are highly encouraged to prepare all three. The number of prepared selections presented will be considered alongside other factors
  • All Major and minor scales
Grades 6 – 8
  • 2 contrasting solo pieces
  • Any scales the student has prepared

Violin

Grades 11 – 12
  • 1 movement from a standard concerto
  • 1 movement solo Bach
  • 1 standard etude
    Students may pick 2 of the three selections from the above list, but are highly encouraged to prepare all three. The number of prepared selections presented will be considered alongside other factors
  • All Major and minor scales
Grades 9 – 10
  • 1 movement from a standard concerto
  • 1 contrasting solo piece
  • 1 standard Etude
    Students may pick 2 of the three selections from the above list, but are highly encouraged to prepare all three. The number of prepared selections presented will be considered alongside other factors
  • All Major and minor scales
Grades 6 – 8
  • 2 contrasting solo pieces
  • Any scales the student has prepared

Program Components

What is required of students once selected to the program?

Once selected to the program, CMPI student musicians will join a dynamic and rigorous musical training program. Various elements of the program will be tailored to each students’ specific needs, including support for an upgraded instrument or repairs, tuition assistance for summer camps/festivals, assistance with travel and audition expenses.  Students will take weekly private lessons throughout the school year and summer, participate in a large ensemble program, chamber music (at appropriate levels), music theory/music literacy, and more. These activities will be subsidized based on a sliding financial need scale. In short, this is for serious young musicians who have the talent and aptitude required for success.

Apply now!