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Audition

Applications for the 2026/27 school year are now OPEN!

Our FREE application is now live here, due by 11:59pm on Monday, February 2, 2026. (A Spanish-language version of the application can be found below.) Please scroll down to review all dates and more information about our application and audition process, including a list of the questions in the application, as you cannot save a draft and return to it later. 

Questions? Email us at info@chicagopathways.org. Thank you for your interest!

¡Las solicitudes para el año escolar 2026/27 ya están abiertas!

Nuestra solicitud GRATUITA ya está disponible aquí y debe entregarse antes de las 11:59 p. m. del lunes 2 de febrero de 2026. (Puede encontrar una versión en inglés de la solicitud arriba). Desplácese hacia abajo para revisar todas las fechas y obtener más información sobre nuestro proceso de solicitud y audición, incluida una lista de las preguntas de la solicitud, ya que no puede guardar un borrador y volver a él más tarde.

¿Tiene preguntas? Envíenos un correo electrónico a info@chicagopathways.org. ¡Gracias por su interés!

Student musician profile
Perfil de músico estudiante

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 if they will be the first in their family to attend college.

CMPI se centra en apoyar a estudiantes de orígenes étnicos que están subrepresentados en las orquesta profesionales, incluidos afroamericanos, latinos, indios americanos, nativos de Alaska y/o isleños del sur de Asia y del Pacífico. Los estudiantes que no forman parte de uno de esos grupos étnicos también pueden calificar si su familia es de bajos ingresos o si serán los primeros en su familia en asistir a la universidad.

Dedicated And Driven / Dedicado y comprometido

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 also requires students to attend concerts, engage with professional musician mentors, and attend other events aimed at helping students to prepare for college and beyond.

CMPI es un programa de formación musical altamente selectivo e intensivo. Los estudiantes que postulen deben estar muy motivados y dedicados y aspirar a una carrera profesional en música orquestal. Los músicos deben esperar practicar al menos diez horas cada semana fuera del tiempo de ensayo y lección. Este programa también requiere que los estudiantes asistan a conciertos, interactúen con mentores músicos profesionales y asistan a otros eventos destinados a ayudar a los estudiantes a prepararse para la universidad y más allá.

Music Experience / Experiencia musical

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 outlined requirements if they are considering an audition in the spring.

Aunque no existe un requisito específico de años de experiencia tocando, los estudiantes deben revisar cuidadosamente el repertorio sugerido y la guía de preselección tanto para la preselección como para la audición final. Los estudiantes deben sentirse cómodos cumpliendo los requisitos que se describen si están considerando una audición en la primavera.

Instrument Eligibility / Elegibilidad del instrumento

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

Este programa es para instrumentos orquestales regulares:

  • Violín, viola, violonchelo, contrabajo
  • Flauta, clarinete, oboe, fagot
  • Trompeta, trompa, trombón/trombón bajo, tuba
  • Percusión, arpa

Nota: Este programa no es para estudiantes cuyos instrumentos principales sean bombardino, saxofón, piano, guitarra o voz.

Key Dates – 2026/27 Application Process
Fechas importantes – Proceso de solicitud para 2026/27

Please note: CMPI’s Jotform application is FREE! Please review all questions here before beginning your application, as you cannot save a draft and return to it later.
Tenga en cuenta: ¡la solicitud Jotform de CMPI es GRATUITA! Revise todas las preguntas aquí antes de comenzar su solicitud, ya que no puede guardar un borrador y volver a él más tarde.

TIMELINE / CRONOGRAMA

  • Submit an online application by February 2, 2026.
    Envíe una solicitud en línea antes del 2 de febrero de 2026.
  • Attend a mandatory information session online (applicants need only attend one session, with at least one parent/caregiver):
    Asista a una sesión informativa obligatoria en línea (los solicitantes solo deben asistir a una sesión, con al menos un padre / tutor):

    • Friday, February 6, 6:00-7:30pm CST
      Viernes 6 de febrero, 6:00-7:30pm CST
    • Saturday, February 7, 10:00-11:30am CST
      Sábado 7 de febrero, 10:00-11:30 am CST
    • Monday, February 9, 6:00-7:30pm CST
      Lunes 9 de febrero, 6:00-7:30pm CST
  • Submit a pre-screening audition video by Monday, February 23. (see video guidelines below)
    Envíe un video de audición previa a la proyección antes del lunes 23 de febrero (consulte las pautas de video a continuación)

    • Applicants will receive an upload link only AFTER attending an info session.
      Los solicitantes recibirán un enlace de carga solo DESPUÉS de asistir a una sesión informativa.
  • Applicants who are selected as semifinalists must then participate in a home visit.
    Los solicitantes seleccionados como semifinalistas deberán luego participar en una visita de casa.

    • There will be an online sign-up form to share your availability for CMPI staff to visit you at home
      Habrá un formulario de registro en línea para compartir su disponibilidad para que el personal de CMPI lo visite en su domicilio
  • Perform a live final audition between March 27-30
    Realiza una audición final en vivo entre el 27 y el 30 de marzo
  • Submit two (2) recommendation letters and family income verification documents by Monday, March 30
    Envíe dos (2) cartas de recomendación y documentos de verificación de ingresos familiares antes del lunes 30 de marzo

    • Applicants may submit letters and financial documents in person at their final audition or online before the deadline
      Los solicitantes pueden presentar cartas y documentos financieros en persona en su audición final o en línea antes de la fecha límite.

Decisions will be announced by the end of April 2026.
Las decisiones se anunciarán a finales de abril de 2026.

Prescreening Video Guidelines / Directrices de vídeo de preselección

General information / Información general

  • You may use a smartphone, tablet, computer with a webcam, or any other device that can record both audio and video.
    Puede utilizar un teléfono inteligente, una tableta, una computadora con cámara web o cualquier otro dispositivo que pueda grabar audio y video.
  • Video length should not exceed 10 minutes. If the total length of your audition music exceeds 10 minutes, please perform shorter selections of your solo music.
    La duración del vídeo no debe exceder los 10 minutos. Si la duración total de la música de su audición excede los 10 minutos, realice selecciones más cortas de su música solista.
  • Audition videos must be shot in one continuous take and include your scale, 2 contrasting solo pieces, and orchestral excerpts (depending on grade level).
    Los videos de la audición deben filmarse en una toma continua e incluir su escala, 2 piezas solistas contrastantes y extractos orquestales (según el nivel de grado).
  • Absolutely no editing or sound enhancements of any kind are permitted.
    No se permite absolutamente ninguna edición o mejora de sonido de ningún tipo.
  • You will also need to submit scans or photographs of your sheet music via email for our judging panel. We recommend using an app such as Genius Scan to scan your music.
    También deberá enviar escaneos o fotografías de su partitura por correo electrónico a nuestro panel de jueces. Recomendamos utilizar una aplicación como Genius Scan para escanear su música.

What should be on your recording / ¿Qué debería estar en tu grabación?

  • Announce your full name and current grade at the beginning of the video
    Anuncie su nombre completo y grado actual al comienzo del video.
  • Before playing each solo or excerpt, announce the title and composer.
    Antes de tocar cada solo o fragmento, anuncia el título y el compositor.

    • Example: “This is Concertino Basso by Richard Lieb” or “These are excerpts from Wagner’s Die Meistersinger Overture”
  • Please play your audition requirements in the following order:
    Reproduzca sus requisitos de audición en el siguiente orden:

    • Scale (one scale of your choice) / Escala (una escala de su elección)
    • Etude (grades 9-11) / Estudio (grados 9-11)
    • 2 contrasting solo pieces / 2 piezas solistas contrastantes
    • Orchestral excerpts, if applicable. / Extractos orquestales, si corresponde.

Audition repertoire and pre-screening guide / Repertorio de audición y guía de preselección.

See below for suggested repertoire by instrument. Note: these are just suggestions of what our judges might expect a serious student who plays each listed instrument to be playing by a particular grade level; this is not a prescriptive audition list. We will listen to whatever solo/etude literature you have prepared. Besides your scale(s) and arpeggios (if you play them), we suggest one solo piece that shows your technical ability and another that you just love to play! Please direct specific questions to info@chicagopathways.org.

Consulte a continuación el repertorio sugerido por instrumento. Nota: estas son solo sugerencias de lo que nuestros jueces podrían esperar que toque un estudiante serio que toca cada instrumento mencionado en un nivel de grado en particular; esta no es una lista de audición prescriptiva. Escucharemos cualquier literatura de estudio/solista que haya preparado. Además de sus escalas y arpegios (si los toca), le sugerimos una pieza solista que demuestre su habilidad técnica y otra que le encante tocar. Envíe preguntas específicas a 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 / Componentes del programa

What is required of students in the program? / ¿Qué se requiere de los estudiantes en el programa?

Once selected for the program, CMPI student musicians will join a dynamic and rigorous musical training program. Various elements of the program will be tailored to each student’s specific needs, including support for an upgraded instrument or repairs, tuition assistance for summer camps/festivals, and assistance with travel and audition expenses.  Students will take weekly private lessons throughout the school year and summer, participate in a large ensemble program, attend monthly community-wide workshops, and more. These activities are subsidized based on a sliding financial need scale. In short, this is for serious young musicians who have the commitment required for success.

Luego de ser seleccionados para el programa, los estudiantes de música de CMPI se unirán a un programa de formación musical dinámico y riguroso. Varios elementos del programa se adaptarán a las necesidades específicas de cada estudiante, incluido el apoyo para un instrumento actualizado o reparaciones, asistencia con la matrícula para campamentos/festivales de verano y asistencia con los gastos de viaje y audiciones. Los estudiantes recibirán lecciones privadas semanales durante el año escolar y el verano, participarán en un gran programa conjunto, asistirán a talleres comunitarios mensuales y más. Estas actividades están subsidiadas según una escala móvil de necesidades financieras. En resumen, esto es para músicos jóvenes serios que tienen el compromiso necesario para triunfar.

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