Audition Instructions – Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra

Audition Instructions | 2025-26 Season

Audition Preparation

Refer to the Ensemble Levels 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. Sight-reading is also a component of orchestral placement considerations and is part of the audition. Music for sight-reading will be provided by the adjudicators at the audition.

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.

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.

If you have questions, please review all the information in the Enrollment section of the website. If you are still having issues, please contact us at auditions@byso.org with questions.

Audition Registration Guidelines

View and download the BYSO 2025/26 Season Audition Schedule to see which audition day is available for your student’s instrument and age group.
Register online using the provided form link (posted below when registration is open) using the season schedule as a reference.
Once the office receives your registration, you will be assigned a specific time during your instrument’s block. You will receive your time slot via email.
If your student has a schedule conflict with all in-person audition dates, select the Online Submission option on the registration form. You will receive instructions on how to submit your online audition from the office within two weeks of registration. Audition music requirements located on our Ensemble Levels page still apply to online auditions. Note: Virtual audition submissions will be due no later than Saturday, June 14 at 11:59 PM.
NOTE: Returning Youth Symphony and Percussion Ensemble students who participated previously in either (or both) ensembles do not need to fill out the audition registration form. Returning Youth Symphony and Percussion Ensemble students received a separate registration form via email. Any student who has not previously participated in either Youth Symphony or Percussion ensemble must audition. If your student is a returning Youth Symphony or Percussion Ensemble student and would like to register for next season, please email auditions@byso.org.
Registration closes May 26, 2025.

CLICK TO REGISTER

Audition Schedule

Each instrument and age group has been allotted a specific window of time on one or more of the scheduled audition days. Not all instruments audition on all days. To view which audition day is available for your student’s instrument and age group, download the BYSO 2025/26 Season Audition Schedule. It is advised that you download this document and use it as reference when filling out the registration form.

Audition Day Guidelines

Arrive 15 minutes prior to your audition time slot to check in and unpack your instrument. A BYSO staff member will direct you to your audition room.
Your audition will be no longer than 10 minutes. Required audition material can be found here.
Note: only auditioning students and adjudicators are allowed in the audition room. No audience members allowed.
The adjudicators may stop you before you have played all of your solo to make sure they hear all the necessary material in the 10-minute time limit.

The Audition

State your full name before you play
State your scale(s); example: “3 octave A Major scale”
Perform your scale(s) (approximately one minute)
If required for your chosen orchestra level, state your prepared excerpt/etude; example: “Dance Etude track 2”.
Perform your prepared excerpt/etude (if required for your chosen orchestra level) (approximately one minute)
State your solo piece with full title, name of composer, movement; example: “Minuet in G Major by Ludwig van Beethoven, first half”.
Perform your solo piece (maximum two minutes)
You will be provided with a sight-reading excerpt to perform (approximately one minute)

Audition Music Guidelines

1. To prepare your audition music, visit our Ensemble Levels page 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.

2. Scales: Select your scales based on your instrument and chosen orchestra on our website here and follow tempo markings as best you can.

3. Excerpt/Etude: Required excerpts/etudes vary from instrument and orchestra level. Check here for your specific set of requirements.

4. Solo: The music you choose should display contrasting styles and show your highest level of achievement, and is no longer than 2 minutes of music. Auditions are not accompanied by piano.

5. Sight-reading: You will be asked to sight read. Adjudicators will provide sight-reading music.

6. Memorization is not required and will not factor into your scoring.

7. Your audition should be around 5-7 minutes long.