Students who wish to participate in BYSO must audition. This includes both new and returning students. Students only need to audition once for the season.
Online Auditions
BYSO Auditions are held online. Online Auditions for our Fall Quarter will open in late summer. Exact dates will be announced soon. Auditions are also open on a case-by-case basis for Winter and Spring quarters. If you would like to audition for BYSO and have questions, please contact us at info@byso.org.
Click the following link for detailed instruction on how to prepare and submit your audition: Audition Instructions
2022-2023 Season Dates – Will Be Announced Soon
Welcome to the 2022-23 BYSO season! As we plan next season’s program, our primary concern is the health and safety of our students, their families, and our team of music and administrative staff. Offerings will be in accordance with guidelines on gatherings and social distancing from the King County Health Department, Washington state, the CDC and other authorities.
Currently, the plan for rehearsals for the 2022-23 Season will be in-person, although this may change depending on evolving State COVID guidelines. We are working on facilities and are updating our ensemble pages as we have more information. This will include: Locations, time, days, tuition, and performances.
Auditions
Auditions are online for the 2022-23 season. Audition standards and process are the same as in previous years, except that candidates record their audition and submit a link to their recording with their audition registration. The next opportunity to audition for BYSO will be for Fall Quarter 2022. Click here for details: Audition Instructions
Once the audition process is complete and all auditions have been reviewed by our music staff, students are placed into BYSO ensemble levels. These placements are used for assignment to specific ensemble offerings. A placed musician may choose to participate or save their spot for later in the 2022-23 season. Members of Youth Symphony and Percussion Ensemble in 2021-22 do not require an audition and have already been contacted regarding participation.
Whether you are new to BYSO or a returning student, please review all the information in our enrollment section to help you prepare for your audition. The ensembles section of our website describes each level within our organization and the music typically played at each level.
Qualifying Instruments
BYSO welcomes all symphonic orchestral instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, horn, baritone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, and harp.
Ensemble Placement
At BYSO, students do not audition for specific orchestras. Students should use the Audition Levels provided on this site to prepare the most advanced level of audition material that they feel comfortable with and can play well. Preparing material for a certain level does not ensure placement at that level.
Placement is based solely on the musician’s ability, not age or grade.
A student’s ensemble placement is final. Students are only permitted to audition for BYSO once a season.
Students Not Placed
Some candidates may not meet BYSO standards upon auditioning. Students who have not met the standards for entry into BYSO will be told following their audition evaluation. Encouragement and suggestions for improvement will be given at that time and we hope these promising young musicians continue to practice and that we will see them next year!
