Basic Audition
For training in Bks. 1-4 & supplementary/overview courses on those books: Submit an audition of both specified pieces below to SAA. Roman numerals indicate the movement. Edition is your choice. If this audition is accepted, you must submit the Intermediate or Comprehensive Auditions for training in Bks. 5 up.
Violin: Seitz Concerto No. 5, I; Vivaldi Concerto in a minor, III
Viola: Seitz Concerto No. 5, I; Vivaldi Concerto in d minor, III
Cello: Breval Sonata in C Major, Allegro; Tchaikovsky, Chanson Triste
Bass: Saint Saens Elephant Song
Piano: Beethoven Sonata Op. 49 #2, I; Minuet I from Bach Partita in B flat
Flute: Blavet Sonata #2 in d minor, Sarabande and Finale
Guitar: Mozart Bourree; R. Vidali La Folia Variations
Harp: Carlos Salzedo, Chanson dans la Nuit; Haydn Theme and Variations
Recorder: Handel Hornpipe from Water Music Suite (soprano Book 4); J.S. Bach Rondeau from Suite No. 2 (Alto Book 4)
Organ: Bach Preludes in C M/m: BWV 553 (8 Kleine Preludien & Fugen); BWV 549 (Peters IV)

Intermediate Audition
For training in Bks.1 through 7-9 & supplementary/overview courses based on those books: This audition may be used as an initial audition (as an alternate choice to the others), or after an accepted Basic Audition to continue training beyond Bk. 4. Submit an audition of the specified pieces below to SAA. Roman numerals indicate the movement. Where two pieces are specified, both must be performed (except flute, where it is a choice of movements noted). Edition is your choice. If the Intermediate Audition is not accepted, the Basic Audition may be an additional option as a retry, depending on training levels desired (see retry deadlines).
Violin: Bach Concerto in a minor, I, BWV 1041 (for approval through Bk. 8)
Viola: J.C.Bach Concerto in C minor, I (Bach/Casadesus)
Cello: Faure Elegie (for approval through Bk. 8)
Bass: TBA
Piano: NA (See Comprehensive Audition)
Flute: Mozart Concerto #2 in D Major, K. 314, I or II (for approval through Bk. 9)
Guitar: Bach Gavottes 1 & 2; J. Guimares Sound of Bells (for approval through Bk. 7)
Harp: TBA

Comprehensive Audition
For training in ALL books & supplementary/overview courses: This audition may be used as an initial audition (as an alternate choice to the others), or after an accepted Basic or Intermediate Audition for training beyond the level of that previous audition. Submit an audition of the specified pieces below to SAA. Roman numerals indicate the movement. Where two pieces are indicated, choose one. Edition is your choice. Play all cadenza sections (alternates cadenzas are allowed). If this audition is not accepted, the Basic or Intermediate Auditions are also options as a retry, depending on training levels desired (see retry deadlines).
Violin: Mozart Concerto #4, I or Concerto #5, I
Viola: Schubert Arpeggione, I
Cello: Haydn Concerto in C Major, I or Boccherini Concerto in B flat, I
Piano: Mozart Sonata K330, I or K331, I
Flute: Chaminade Concertino
Guitar: Sor Variations on a Theme by Mozart
Recorder: Corelli Sonata in F Major, Op. 5 #4, II
Harp: Hindemith Sonata, I
Bass & Organ: NA

Audition Pending, Retries & Auditor
If no audition is sent by or no results known before course start, you may enroll in training as audition pending (provisional participant status), postmarking audition by 8 weeks after course finish; but depending on submission/results timing, may result in no retry options if the initial audition is not accepted. If an audition pending is accepted, your status becomes Participant; if an audition pending is sent after the postmark deadline, or not accepted, your status becomes Auditor. If status at course finish is audition pending, no SAA registration form is issued; forms are issued if the audition is submitted and accepted according to this process above. Retries on unaccepted auditions are welcome, with a new application and fees ($45 US/CAN), if postmarked by 8 weeks after course finish (the same deadline as audition pending submissions). The SAA strongly encourages Participant status. Auditor status is appropriate if unable to meet course attendance, observation and playing requirements, but an Auditor may not have full participation in class, and will not be able to register the course.

Audition Preparation

• Prepare a well-polished performance. Memorization and/or accompaniment are not required.
• Home filming is usually adequate but ensure sound is best quality possible.
• Acceptable formats:

1. VHS Video Tapes: full size videos; if recording outside North America, not PAL or SECAM, NTSC only.
2. Camcorder Video-Cassettes: VHS-C only; not EP mode, digital or Hi-8 Camcorder cassettes.
3. DVDs: DVD-R, and if recorded in North America only; not DVD+R, RWs, Mini-DVDs/-DVs.

Other formats are not viewable by our evaluators. If recording on another format, please transfer to these formats for submission. Camera stores often offer rentals and transfers; high school and college AV departments are also resources.

• Set camera to show player’s hands, using the closest camera distance to include most or all of the body.
• Multiple auditions: More than one type of audition can be on the same recording if made by the same person and on the same instrument; if on different instruments, only violin/viola may be paired on the same recording by the same person. Otherwise multiple auditions must be submitted on separate recordings (multiple fees due regardless).
• Make 2 copies and check that both function in playback. If the submission received by SAA is defective, another may be requested with fees ($45 US/CAN).
• Label submission with name, address, phone, instrument and pieces(s) performed.
• Keep one copy in case submission is lost or damaged in transit or defective. Use a trackable form of shipping to know when received. Shipping with padding is recommended.

Complete the audition application form (required with your submission).

Audition Pending, Retries & Auditor

• Late auditions for participant status are permissible as "Tape Pending", a provisional status designed primarily for those who find out about a course on short notice, and thus cannot meet the audition deadlines or submit before the course. Applicants enrolling in courses under this status must pay late fees and postmark their audition no more than 8 weeks after the end of the earliest short-term course or the end of the apprenticeship.  After that, eligibility to audition for participant status expires, and one retroactively becomes an auditor. SAA training registration forms will not be issued until the audition videotape has been submitted, and if the audition is accepted.  “Tape Pending” status may also be used for those who have not received results notification before course start.
• If a "tape pending" applicant’s audition is not accepted, even if the course is completed, the applicant will not be eligible for participant status. One retroactively becomes an auditor.  Applicants may choose to re-audition (with new fees), which must be postmarked no more than 8 weeks after the end of the earliest short-term course or the end of the apprenticeship. After that, eligibility to re-audition for participant status expires.  If this re-audition is accepted, the status can be retroactively changed to participant.

Audition Results Notification

• Applicants will be notified of audition results by letter.
• For summer 2010 courses, notification cannot be guaranteed before course start for submissions after March 31, 2010. Because there is no way to know how many applicants there will be in a given period of time, the SAA cannot guarantee results notification before the course start, even if the postmark deadline is met.  In fall and winter, notification time averages 4-6 weeks from receipt, but is longer in spring and summer. We recommend submitting auditions for summer institute short-term courses 10-12 weeks in advance of the course start, as the SAA receives hundreds of auditions from April to July yearly.

Auditions not accepted

• If an audition is not accepted, the notification letter will suggest areas of improvement to assist the applicant in preparing should they choose to re-audition.
• In order to qualify for participant status, the applicant may submit re-audition(s) with new fee(s) no more than 8 weeks after the end of the earliest short-term course or the end of the apprenticeship. After that, eligibility to re-audition for participant status expires, and one retroactively becomes an auditor.  The applicant is invited to audition anew for eligibility as a participant in any future training courses.

Further class preparation

• All applicants are asked to prepare the musical repertoire in the unit book(s) to be studied in the training course(s). Memorization is not required, but highly recommended to facilitate maximum classroom learning. Applicants will play this repertoire for the trainer during the course.
• Applicants should familiarize themselves with Dr. Suzuki’s books prior to the course start. This is particularly important for those enrolling in short-term courses, which are intensive and fast-paced. For supplementary and enrichment courses, familiarity with other materials may be recommended, so contact the institute or apprentice trainer for further information.

Auditing

• Auditing is appropriate for those who cannot meet the participant or course requirements.
• Auditing is only offered at the course director’s discretion, depending on enrollment, so space is limited. Contact the location offering the training for space and fees.
• No audition is required for auditors, but they must be SAA active members.
• The SAA does not provide recognition of training through registration or keep records for courses audited.