For many students, the end of the year demands all their focus, but orchestra students are preparing for next year with auditions on Wednesday.

“We look for their work ethic in preparing this audition music and, of course, their performance in the audition itself. However, it is not enough to sprint to the end of the year by only working hard on auditions,” assistant orchestra director Victoria Lien said. “We like to see good attitude and improvement throughout the year during classes and outside rehearsals when looking for students to move up.”

Lien hopes that this years audition will challenge the students so they can really take time and work to reach their full potential.

“I hope students find this year’s audition music challenging because it gives them something to work out themselves and improve upon,” Lien said. “With the music, if it is challenging, then there is something still to be learned and worked on-even the most brilliant players are constantly striving and working on some aspect of the music. Not only will it be a test of their limits, but it will be an opportunity to show us how much they have grown throughout the year and prove to themselves as well how much they have improved throughout the year.”

For some upperclassmen who have already been through the process before, there are many differences in the style of the audition music and difficulty compared to last year’s.

“This year’s audition music is probably a little bit easier than last year’s was, but it’s more complicated in its style than last year’s,” junior Elizabeth Piper said. “Last year’s was faster and had more accidentals but this year’s is stylistically more difficult.”

Although Lien has some advice for students struggling with their music or if they’re simply nervous.

“My best advice would be to not procrastinate when practicing. Always start the audition music slow and work up the tempo,”Lien said. “We would rather hear something good at a slow tempo than something not as quality at the given tempo. Be sure to practice smart, work on the spots that give you trouble. Practice auditioning in front of your friends and family as well as record yourself and listen back to it.”