AHEP AUDITIONS 2023
You will find excerpts for wind (including Big Band) and string instruments on our website, please scroll down the page to the section – Australian Honours Ensemble Program https://www.griffith.edu.au/arts-education-law/queensland-conservatorium/opportunities/openconservatorium/state-honours-ensemble-program
WIND, STRING, SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS: (wind, brass, percussion, and string)
• Complete the excerpts for your nominated instrument and two contrasting pieces/section of your choice not exceeding 3 mins per piece.
• You are welcome to select pieces you have used recently for recitals or examinations.
• Students wishing to audition for Wind orchestra and Big Band must provide the required auditions for both
• Percussion – Need to complete all required excerpts on respective instruments to be considered. Own choice is only 2 pieces and recommend that one is on tuned and other is untuned.
BIG BAND AUDITIONS:
• Complete the Big Band excerpts for your nominated instrument and two contrasting pieces/section of your choice not exceeding 3 mins per piece
• When selecting pieces for your own choice they need to by style appropriate for big band (jazz,swing)
• You are welcome to select pieces you have used recently for recitals or examinations.
• Students may elect to only audition for Big Band
VOCAL AUDITIONS:
• Complete two contrasting unaccompanied solo pieces/sections of your choice not exceeding 3 mins per piece, that best represents your vocal ability.
• Auditions should show good clear line and capacity of vocal production, freedom of tone production and evidence of good breath support
• You are welcome to select pieces you have used recently for recitals or examinations.
• Students may elect to submit an audition to more than one Vocal type; e.g one audition for soprano and another audition for alto
• When uploading your audition to dropbox, in the field called ‘your name” enter your student name and the voice type
Preparing your video
• It is best to use a smart phone to film your audition, the recording must be of you and not just a sound file
• If the file is too large it may not upload and you will need to reduce the size, please also ensure you have a strong internet connection when uploading
• Option for re-naming your files: upload your video to your computer and then change the file name
• If you upload more than one you must number them - eg. John Smith-percussion-1of3
• No ZIP files
• Files must have student name, if not we cannot assess your audition
Submitting your audition – due date for submission is 4pm Tuesday April 11
• Auditions are to be submitted via Dropbox using the below steps. We advise that you submit your audition prior to the deadline of April 3 to avoid any uploading issues at the last minute
• You must enter STUDENT NAME AND INSTRUMENT in the ‘your name’ field when uploading your file. This enables us to identify your audition and record your submission
• If you have a dropbox account, please ensure you are LOGGED OUT prior to following the below steps.
• We strongly encourage you to submit earlier than the due date as we will not accept auditions after the closing time of 4pm Tuesday April 11
STEP 1
Click the below link (ensuring you are logged out of your personal dropbox account if you have one)
https://www.dropbox.com/request/hEKZ5Qq28yC4YMOYIMdV
STEP 2
Click Add Files and then select your files to upload
STEP 3
Enter student name and parent email as below Your name - Enter Student firstname surname – Instrument For vocal auditions you would enter - Enter Student firstname surname – voice type (e.g soprano, alto, baritone, tenor)
Your email address – Enter parent email address
For Big Band auditions please enter Student firstname surname – Big Band
If you have more than one file to upload then please ensure you specify this in field your name, eg. John SmithTuba-1of1, next file John Smith-Tuba2of2 etc
STEP 4
Click upload. Once your upload is completed a pop up screen will appear to confirm your upload is successful
What Happens next:
• We will send a confirmation email to confirm we have received your audition and how many files were uploaded
• Outcome of auditions will be notified by email and SMS. This is scheduled for late May/early June but is subject to change.
• Students who are successful will receive a Successful Offer email and this will include registration and payment information.
• Students who are unsuccessful for a place in the AHEP program will be considered for SHEP QLD and will either receive a successful or a reserve offer for the SHEP QLD program. (SHEP QLD is held from Thursday 28 September to Sunday 1 October).
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely
Jason Budge Manager, Open Conservatorium Michelle Stewart Administration Officer, Honours ProgramsAUDITIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 4PM
TUESDAY APRIL 11
LATE SUBMISSIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED
Australian Honours Ensemble Program (AHEP)
Program Information 2023
Program Name
Program Code
Program suited to
Nomination and selection
Australian Honours Ensemble Program
AHEP
Instrumental students at AMEB 6 and above; Vocal AMEB 4 and above
Students are nominated for the program by their teacher and selection is based on audition
Dates (incl rehearsals and concert) Wednesday 27 September to Saturday 30 September 2023
Program Fee
$380
Venue: Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University,140 Grey St, Sth Brisbane Queensland
Rehearsal Times 10am – 5pm
Masterclass
Students will work with QLD Conservatorium academic specialist staff in an instrument specific environment. Students may be asked to perform, or work on exercises/skill building techniques to support their individual learning.
Saturday rehearsal and concert: Saturday rehearsal including concert is approx 5 hours
Food Participants to provide their own food for the program
What to bring String and Band Students need to bring their instrument and a collapsible music stand. All students: Food (see above) water bottle, lip balm, jacket or jumper
What to wear Wed - Fri: Participants wear appropriate clothing (same as a free dress at school) and covered flat footwear (no thongs or sandals). T-shirts will be handed out during the first rehearsal session. Saturday: students to wear their formal school/day uniform (not band uniform). Please refer to your school’s uniform policy that you would wear to an official school event or school photo day
Ensembles in AHEP Wind Orchestra, Big Band, String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Vocal Ensemble
Accommodation & Travel: Students/Families attending the program are required to organise their own transport and accommodation throughout.
The AHEP Program gives students the opportunity to:
• Work in an intensive environment of musical excellence with the peers
• Work with a team of eminent internationally recognised Conductors from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
• Represent their Schools in a Grand Finale Concert on the Saturday of the program in the Conservatorium Theatre
• Receive a Certificate of Participation and Australian Honours Program Souvenir T-Shirt
• Participate in an instrument specific masterclass with Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University academic staff
Nomination Criteria:
Instrumental: minimum grade 6 AMEB or equivalent
Vocal: Minimum of AMEB grade 4 and high-level choral experience
Instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, and voice (soprano, alto, baritone, tenor)
Audition Process:
• Once nominations have closed students will receive an email from us (shep-conservatorium@griffith.edu.au) that will outline the audition requirements, instructions for upload and audition excepts.
• Audition excerpts are available from our website State Honours Ensemble Program (griffith.edu.au)
• The audition panel for each instrument will consist of Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Specialist Staff.
• Students unsuccessful for a place in AHEP will have their nomination transferred to be considered for SHEP Queensland which is held from Thursday 28 September to Sunday 1 October
• Students and nominating teachers will be notified of the outcome of the audition once all auditions have been assessed.
What is the Honours Program?
The Australian Honours Ensemble Program (AHEP) is an extension of the State Honours Ensemble Program. Established in 2018 AHEP has grown to include a wind orchestra, string orchestra, vocal ensemble, symphony orchestra and big band. From over 1000 nominations annually, students are invited to audition for this highly sought-after program. Students who are successful have the opportunity to work with world-class conductors in an intensive environment that challenges and encourages them to extend their pursuit of musical excellence. Students are also provided a workshop, within their instrument area, with select staff of the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University’s State Honours Ensemble Program has grown from relatively modest beginnings in 2001. SHEP is now a firmly established aspect of music learning in Queensland, bringing together young people from all over the State, in regional centres and Brisbane to share their passion for making music. Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University provides 4 programs in Brisbane and 11 regional programs. Since first commencing in 2001 SHEP has over 5,000 students attend the SHEP programs annually throughout Queensland, from more than 200 schools: with many of these students progressing from the Middle school programs through to AHEP. A select number of participants have also joined the international arm of SHEP, Pacific Honours Ensemble Program (PHEP), which tours to Seattle each year.
Further information can be found on our website at: State Honours Ensemble Program (griffith.edu.au)