Click on your instrument below and select the most advanced level of audition material that you feel comfortable with and can play well. Aim for the suggested metronome markings when indicated, but remember that it is always more important to play accurately, demonstrating good tone and intonation.
There is no option on the registration form to select the ensemble for which a student wants to audition. Adjudicators will know which ensemble a student has selected by the music they perform in their audition.
All auditioning musicians will be asked to sight-read a short excerpt of symphonic music. Music for sight-reading will be provided by the adjudicators at the audition.
Keep in mind that preparing material for a certain level does not ensure placement at that level. Your placement will be based on your demonstration of these standards at the audition. Your age is NOT a primary consideration.
Note: the sight-reading requirement still applies to online audition submissions.
Important: the information below is for the 2024-25 Season. Check back in March for audition requirements for the 2025-26 Season.
Please contact us at auditions@byso.org with any questions.
Violin
Cadet String Orchestra – Entry level
Ability to read music in first position and knowledge of basic rhythms.
- One octave D Major scale in one octave in half notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo, bow control, and resonant tone.
- One 2-octave major scale of choice in quarter notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo and correct finger patterns.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality. Auditionees should select a solo piece that demonstrates the following skills and concepts: (1) basic technique including left hand and right hand shape; (2) ability to perform accurate notes and rhythms in a reasonable tempo (moderato – allegro), and produce a resonant tone.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Debut String Orchestra – Advanced entry level
Generally 2-3 years of orchestra or private instruction. Secure knowledge of first and third position, especially for first violins.
- B flat Major scale in two octaves and one additional major scale in two octaves, ascending and descending.
- B flat Major scale in quarter notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
- One additional scale in eighth notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Premiere Orchestra – Intermediate
Secure knowledge of third position and introductory knowledge of fifth position.
- One major and one minor scale, one in two octaves and one in three octaves, ascending and descending. Both scales in quarter notes at quarter note = 104 bpm
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Sinfonia – Advanced intermediate
Secure knowledge of third and fifth positions, introductory knowledge of second position, fourth position, and some higher positions.
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (one playing separate quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes 8 per bow with quarter note = 80). Play scales ascending and descending.
- Required etude: Mazas #4, first four lines with quarter note = 100.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Philharmonia – Advanced technical abilities
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (one playing quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes with quarter note = 92). Play scales ascending and descending.
- Required etude: Track 3 from NAfME 2025 String Audition Materials.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality
- You will be asked to sight read.
Youth Symphony – Advanced musicianship
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (one playing quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes with quarter note = 108). Play scales ascending and descending.
- Required etude: Track 3 and Track 4 from NAfME 2025 String Audition Materials.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Viola
Cadet String Orchestra – Entry level
Ability to read music in first position and knowledge of basic rhythms.
- One octave F Major scale in one octave in half notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo, bow control, and resonant tone.
- One 2-octave major scale of choice in quarter notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo and correct finger patterns.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality. Auditionees should select a solo piece that demonstrates the following skills and concepts: (1) basic technique including left hand and right hand shape; (2) ability to perform accurate notes and rhythms in a reasonable tempo (moderato – allegro), and produce a resonant tone.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Debut String Orchestra – Advanced entry level
Generally 2-3 years of orchestra or private instruction. Secure knowledge of first position and introductory knowledge of third position.
- F Major scale in two octaves and one additional major scale in two octaves, ascending and descending.
- F Major scale in quarter notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
- One additional scale in eighth notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Premiere Orchestra – Intermediate
Secure knowledge of third position and introductory knowledge of fifth position.
- One major and one minor scale, one in two octaves and one in three octaves, ascending and descending.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Sinfonia – Advanced intermediate
Secure knowledge of third and fifth positions, introductory knowledge of second position, fourth position, and some higher positions.
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (one playing separate quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes 8 per bow with quarter note = 80). Play scales ascending and descending.
- Required etude: Mazas #4, first six lines with quarter note = 100.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Philharmonia – Advanced technical abilities
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (one playing quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes with quarter note = 92). Play scales ascending and descending.
- Required etude: Track 4 from NAfME 2025 String Audition Materials.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Youth Symphony – Advanced musicianship
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (one playing quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes with quarter note = 108). Play scales ascending and descending.
- Required etude: Tracks 4 and 5 from NAfME 2025 String Audition Materials.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Cello
Cadet String Orchestra – Entry level
Ability to read music in first position and knowledge of basic rhythms.
- One octave F Major scale in one octave in half notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo, bow control, and resonant tone.
- One 2-octave major scale of choice in quarter notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo and correct finger patterns.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality. Auditionees should select a solo piece that demonstrates the following skills and concepts: (1) basic technique including left hand and right hand shape; (2) ability to perform accurate notes and rhythms in a reasonable tempo (moderato – allegro), and produce a resonant tone.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Debut String Orchestra – Advanced entry level
Generally 2-3 years of school or private instruction. Secure knowledge of first position, which includes forward and backward extensions, and introductory knowledge of second through fourth positions.
- F Major scale in two octaves and one additional scale in two octaves, ascending and descending.
- F Major scale in quarter notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
- One additional scale in eighth notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Premiere Orchestra – Intermediate
Secure knowledge of first through fourth positions, introductory knowledge of higher positions.
- One major and one minor scale, one in three octaves and one in two octaves, ascending and descending.
- Required etude: bars 33-47, as indicated by the red brackets, of this Allegro
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Sinfonia – Advanced intermediate
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale, one scale having three or more sharps or flats, (one playing separate quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 16th notes 8 per bow with quarter note = 80). Play scales ascending and descending.
- Required etude: Kummer #38, play top part. Suggested metronome marking: eighth note = 80-88.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Philharmonia – Advanced technical abilities
- One three-octave major scale and one three octave minor scale (One slow legato scale playing quarter notes, one fast, playing 16th notes with 8 notes slurred. Suggested metronome marking: quarter note = 72). Play scales ascending and descending.
- Required etudes: Track 4 from NAfME 2025 String Audition Materials and Kummer #70. (Instructions for Kummer: play top part. Suggested metronome marking, quarter note=72).
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Youth Symphony – Advanced musicianship
- One three-octave major scale and one three-octave minor scale (One slow legato scale playing quarter notes; one fast, playing 16th notes with 8 notes slurred.) Suggested metronome marking, quarter note = 88). Play scales ascending and descending.
- Required etude: Tracks 4 and 5 from NAfME 2025 String Audition Materials.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Double Bass
Cadet String Orchestra – Entry level
Ability to read music in first position and knowledge of basic rhythms.
- One octave D Major scale in one octave in half notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo, bow control, and resonant tone.
- One 2-octave major scale of choice in quarter notes at quarter note = 120, demonstrating accurate tempo and correct finger patterns.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality. Auditionees should select a solo piece that demonstrates the following skills and concepts: (1) basic technique including left hand and right hand shape; (2) ability to perform accurate notes and rhythms in a reasonable tempo (moderato – allegro), and produce a resonant tone.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Debut String Orchestra – Advanced entry level
Generally one to two years in school orchestra or private instruction.
- D Major scale in one octave, ascending and descending.
- D Major scale in quarter notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
- One additional scale in eighth notes at quarter note = 86 bpm
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Premiere Orchestra – Intermediate
Solid knowledge of sharps and flats.
- F Major scale in one octave and one minor scale in one octave, ascending and descending.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Sinfonia – Advanced intermediate
Advanced intermediate.
- F Major scale in two octaves and one minor scale in one octave, ascending and descending. (one playing separate quarter notes with quarter note = 60, one playing 8th notes 4 per bow with quarter note = 80)
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Philharmonia – Advanced technical abilities
- One two-octave major scale and one two-octave minor scale; one slow legato playing quarter notes, one fast playing 16th notes. Suggested metronome marking: quarter note = 72. Play scales ascending and descending.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Youth Symphony – Advanced musicianship
- One major scale in two or more octaves and one minor scale in two or more octaves; one slow legato playing quarter notes, one fast playing 16th notes. Suggested metronome marking: quarter note = 88. Play scales ascending and descending.
- Required Etude: Track 4 from WMEA 2025 String Audition Materials.
- Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
- You will be asked to sight read.
Flute
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 – 110 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, preferably 3 octaves (or at least from the lowest D on the flute through the 3rd octave Bb)
Etudes: Prepare the “Dance Etude”, “Song Etude” and “Rhythmic Etude” (tracks 2, 3, and 4) from the WMEA Junior All-State Band 2025 Audition Materials.
Solo: Prepare a one-minute excerpt from your solo literature that best shows your artistry, technique, and musical skills. Repertoire might include Sonatas by Handel or Telemann, or be selected from the National Flute Association’s Intermediate Solo Repertoire Guide.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Sinfonia / Flute Choir
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 90-120 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, preferably 3 octaves (or at least from the lowest D on the flute through the 3rd octave Bb)
Etudes: Prepare the “Dance Etude”, “Song Etude” and “Rhythmic Etude” (tracks 2, 3, and 4) from the WMEA Junior All-State Band 2025 Audition Materials.
Solo: Prepare a one-minute excerpt from your solo literature that best shows your artistry, technique, and musical skills. Repertoire might include Sonatas by Handel or Telemann, or be selected from the National Flute Association’s Intermediate Solo Repertoire Guide.
Sight-Reading:You will be asked to sight read.
Philharmonia / Flute Orchestra/ Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72-80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale using WMEA HS Wind and Percussion audition track 1 as a model (use link below).
Required Etudes: Tracks 2, 3, and 4 from WMEA 2025 Audition Materials.*
*Flutists who would like to audition on piccolo and have their own piccolo should also prepare the Piccolo excerpt (Track 5) from WMEA Audition Materials.
Solo: Prepare a one- to two-minute excerpt from your solo literature that best shows your artistry, technique, and musical skills. Repertoire may be selected from the standards of the French Conservatory; the National Flute Association Repertoire guide system: Levels G – J, (found on NFA website in the member’s only section or www.leonardgarrison.com/applied-repertoire); or the RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music) Level 7 (or higher); or ABRSM Grade 6 (or higher).
Sight-Reading:You will be asked to sight read.
Oboe
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongue
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least one octave
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Sinfonia
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves
Etudes: Prepare tracks 2, 3, and 4 from the WMEA Junior All-State Band 2025 Audition Materials.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Philharmonia
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves
Required Etude: Prepare Track 3 from WMEA 2025 Audition Materials.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves.
Required Etudes: Tracks 3 and 4 from WMEA 2025 Audition Materials.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Clarinet & Bass Clarinet
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale in A Major, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least one octave.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Sinfonia
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves.
Required Etudes: Prepare tracks 2, 3, and 4 from the WMEA Junior All-State Band 2025 Audition Materials
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Philharmonia
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves.
Etudes for 2023-24 season:
Bb clarinet: Track 4 from WMEA 2025 Audition Materials
Bass clarinet: Prepare track 2 from WMEA 2025 Audition Materials.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, with 3 or more sharps or flats, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, with 3 or more sharps or flats, in two octaves – slurred
- For a Chromatic scale, prepare WMEA 2025 Audition Materials audition track 1.
Required Etudes:
Bb clarinet: Tracks 2 and 4 from WMEA 2025 Audition Materials.
Bass clarinet: Prepare tracks 2 and 3 from WMEA 2025 Audition Materials.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Bassoon
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least one octave.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Sinfonia
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- A Chromatic scale, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible, of at least two octaves.
Etudes: Prepare tracks 2, 3, and 4 from the WMEA 2025 Junior All-State Band Audition Materials.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Philharmonia
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- For a Chromatic scale, prepare WMEA 2025 Audition Materials audition track 1.
Excerpts:
- Mozart, Marriage of Figaro Overture; mm. 139-171; half-note equals 126
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred
- For a Chromatic scale, prepare WMEA 2025 Audition Materials audition track 1.
Excerpts:
- Ravel, Bolero; 3rd measure after rehearsal 2 through the downbeat of 1st measure of rehearsal 3l quarter-note equals 72
- Tchaikovsky, Symphony #6; mvt 1, mm. 1-12; quarter-note equals 54
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Horn
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in one octave – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least one octave, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Sinfonia
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Philharmonia
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Trumpet
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in one octave – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least one octave, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Sinfonia
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Philharmonia
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium or Baritone
Premiere Orchestra
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 80 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in one octave – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in one octave – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least one octave, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Sinfonia
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in eighth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 108 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Philharmonia
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Youth Symphony
Scales: Should be memorized, played ascending and descending, and played in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 72 beats per minute:
- One Major Scale of your choice, in two octaves – tongued.
- One Minor Scale of your choice, in two octaves – slurred.
- A Chromatic scale of at least two octaves, demonstrating your fullest controlled range possible.
Solo: Short solo piece that best shows your technique and musicality.
Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight read.
Percussion
Sinfonia & Premiere Orchestra
Prepare the 2024 WMEA Junior All-State Band mallet and snare drum audition tracks. Focus on accuracy before speed.
Youth Symphony, Philharmonia, and Percussion Ensemble
Students who audition into Percussion Ensemble also perform with Philharmonia and Youth Symphony. Percussion Ensemble focuses on their own music in separate rehearsals, then joins these two orchestras for 2-3 rehearsals prior to a performance. The expectation at this level is that each player can comfortably play both snare drum and mallet parts.
Please prepare a 1-2 minute excerpt from a solo snare drum piece as well as a mallet solo. You may refer to the WMEA 2025 Audition Materials as examples of what level of difficulty is appropriate. The audition will also include scales and sight reading on both snare drum and mallets. Ambidextrous playing is required.
If you have any questions about what to prepare, please email percussion@byso.org.
Piano
Piano auditions will be accepted for Philharmonia and Youth levels only. Four+ years of private instruction are recommended.
Note: Placement does not guarantee participation. Not all orchestral pieces require piano, so pianist participation is dependent on the music chosen for each quarter of the BYSO academic year. Students who successfully place in one of the following ensembles will be notified if participation is available prior to each quarter.
Philharmonia
- D major scale in 3 octaves, memorized, ascending and descending, quarter note = 84, four sixteenth notes per beat
- A minor scale in 3 octaves, memorized, ascending and descending, quarter note = 84, four sixteenth notes per beat
Excerpt: Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker Ballet celesta part
Variation II (listed in the part as pgs. 8 & 9, but actually pgs. 6 & 7 in the link), Beginning of Variation II thru 4th measure after Rehearsal 77. Quarter note = 100.
Solo: A short solo work of your choice.
Youth Symphony
- D major scale in 3 octaves, memorized, ascending and descending, quarter note = 92, four sixteenth notes per beat
- A minor scale in 3 octaves, memorized, ascending and descending, quarter note = 92, four sixteenth notes per beat
Variation II (listed in the part as pgs. 8 & 9, but actually pgs. 6 & 7 in the link), Beginning of Variation II thru 4th measure after Rehearsal 77. Quarter note = 108.
Harp
Note: Placement does not guarantee participation. Not all orchestral pieces require harp, so participation is dependent on the music chosen for each quarter of the BYSO academic year. Students who successfully place in one of the following ensembles will be notified if participation is available prior to each quarter.
Prepare the following:
Scales: One major and one minor scale of your choice in two octaves, ascending and descending
Excerpt: “Waltz of the Flowers” cadenza from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
Solo: A short solo work of your choice.
Sight-Reading:No sight reading required for the 2023-24 Academic Year.
