Cello All-State Audition

7-8th Grade All-State Cello Etude #1

40 Melodic and Progressive Etudes, No. 1 by Sebastian Lee

Most of the measures have slurs. The composer is asking for a very connected and legato sound.

There are no dynamics indicated. That does not mean you should play this without dynamics. Its an opportunity to show your own musical imagination. The music has direction. It grows and recedes according to how the notes make us feel. Explore your artistry.

7-8th Grade All-State Cello Etude #2

Consider the dots regarding articulation. Perform the articulate with a small amoun of bow at the balance point with a gentle bounce. Add your own dynamics. Tell a story through your playing. Draw interest from the listener with your creative expressivity.

Grades 7-8 Bowing and Fingering Recommendations

2026 All-State Audition Requirements

Middle School (7th & 8th Grade) Orchestra - Cello

Scales Students will play ONE of the following major scales and arpeggios:

C, G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb - All scales and arpeggios must be two octaves.

All scales and arpeggios are to be MEMORIZED. Scales and arpeggios must be played in even

eighth notes using separate bows. Quarter note = 60-80

Sight-Reading Students will be asked to sight read an eight measure original composition.

Practice your sight-reading everyday. One source you can use is

https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/.

Etude 1 Composer: Lee, Sebastian

Title: 40 Melodic and Progressive Etudes, No. 1

Edition: Schirmer, 1902 Edition

Tempo: Quarter Note = 92

Notes:

Public Domain Source: https://imslp.org/wiki/Special:ReverseLookup/20587

Etude 2 Composer: Dotzauer, Friedrich

Title: 18 Exercises for Cello, Op. 120, No. 8

Edition: Muzgiz, 1928 Edition

Tempo: Dotted Quarter Note = 60

Notes: Play until end bracket

Public Domain Source: https://imslp.org/wiki/Special:ReverseLookup/299847

The All-State Etude and Excerpt will be reduced on the day of the audition. The etudes

and excerpts provided are the official audition music. Other sources, methods, and

editions may be different - including etude numbers, measure numbers, and rehearsal

letters. Students will be evaluated against the attached music.

Work hard and best wishes!