• Sight-reading is used at the Pre-Area and Area auditions and accounts for 20% of the total score.

• The sight-reading audition will occur in a separate round.

• Parameters for Sight-Reading at the Pre-Area Audition:

  • Sight-reading Audition is required at the Pre-Area level by TMEA.

  • Sight-reading counts 20% of the audition score.

  • Sight-reading will be in a separate round, mirroring the Area Audition. The level of difficulty shall match the requirements set by TMEA.  

    • Keys: Bb, C, D, Eb, E, F, or G

    • Time signature: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, or 6/8. The first measure will be all quarter notes or all eighth notes if 6/8.

    • Length: 8 measures in 4/4 or 6/8, 12 measures in 3/4, and 16 measures in 2/4.

    • Intervals: all intervals from unison to an octave

    • Rhythmic Devices: whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, dotted quarter notes, dotted half notes, quarter rests, eighth rests, dotted eighth notes, sixteenth notes, simple syncopation, tied note values, or any rhythmic patterns found in the current All-State packet.

    • Accidentals: Raised 4th and 5th scale degrees (Fa/Fi and Sol/Si)

    • There will be 60 points available for the sightreading exercise.

  • The students will be instructed on the recording that they have 30 seconds to study the exercise.  They may study out loud by singing, clapping, chanting, etc.  Prior to and after the study period they will be given the tonic chord which they may sing along with.

  • Students may use their preferred method of sight-reading.

  • Students may stop and start over, however only the new material they sing will be judged.

  • Students should begin singing as soon as the study period is over.

• Before the sight reading audition all students shall be given these written instructions:

“You will be instructed by the audition recording to look at the sight-reading exercise. The recording will play the tonic triad in broken fashion (do-mi-sol-mi-do), followed by the starting pitch.  A 30-second study period shall follow.  You will be allowed to tap, chant, or sing during this study period.  You will not be allowed to use any tuning device or any additional materials as aid during the study period or in singing the exercise.  You may not write on the exercise for any reason.

• At the end of the 30 second study period, the audition recording will play the tonic triad again in broken fashion (do-mi-sol-mi-do), followed by the starting pitch.  You will begin immediately to sing the exercise using your preferred method of sight-reading (syllables, numbers, neutral syllables, or any combination).  No additional study time is allowed.

• If you start and stop over, the judges will judge you on what was your first attempt through the point where you stopped.  The judges will resume judging with any new material you attempt for the first time.  You will have only one chance to sing the exercise unless there is mechanical failure with the playback system.”