Audition Instructions

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED as of Tuesday, August 1. All in-person auditionees will receive their exact time slot and date via email on Friday, August 4. All students auditioning through the online process have received the instructions on how to submit their audition via email to their household’s primary email address. Email auditions@byso.org with any questions.

The next opportunity to audition for BYSO will be during the 2023-24 Season Auditions held the week of August 14 over two weekday evenings (August 14 & 15) and one all-day session on Saturday, August 19. Auditions are open to all instruments and are required for all new and returning students, except for those previous placed in Youth Symphony or Percussion ensemble.

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.

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 August Audition Schedule document to see which audition day is available for your student’s instrument and age group.
Register online using the provided form link below. Use the Fall Audition Schedule as reference when filling out the online form.
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.
For those who need to audition via the online process, fill out the registration link below and select “Online submission” when prompted. If you elect to submit an online audition, BYSO will provide specific instructions for online auditions within two weeks of registration, including how to complete the sight-reading requirement. Online auditions will include recording all the audition music requirements in a single video, uploaded to YouTube (or similar platform) and submitting the link via the provided form. Audition music requirements located on our Ensemble Levels page still apply to online auditions. Virtual submissions must be received no later than August 10, 2023. (NOTE: students who elect to submit an online audition do not need prior permission from the office to do so.)
NOTE: Returning Youth Symphony and Percussion Ensemble students who participated previously in either (or both) ensembles do not need to fill out the registration form below. Returning Youth Symphony and Percussion Ensemble students will receive a separate registration form in August. Any student who has not previously participated in either Youth Symphony or Percussion ensemble must audition.

Audition Schedule

Each instrument and age group has been allotted a specific window of time on one or more of the scheduled audition days (August 14, 15, or 19). Not all instruments audition on all days. To view which audition day is available for your student’s instrument and age group, download the schedule by clicking this link: Fall 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 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.