Youth orchestra audition requirements
Most major US youth orchestras now audition string players with a recorded or video round, often a single continuous take you submit online before any live audition. That is good news: a recording is something you can rehearse exactly. Record your excerpt, score it on the same five dimensions a panel listens for, and fix the weakest one before you submit. Pick an orchestra below for how it auditions, then practice the take.
Youth orchestras
Frequently asked
Do youth orchestras use recorded or video auditions?
Most major US youth orchestras now do. SFSYO, Houston Youth Symphony, GTCYS, Seattle Youth Symphony, BYSO, CYSO, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, American Youth Symphony, and NYO-USA all use a recorded or video audition, often as a prescreen before live rounds. A smartphone recording is usually fine.
What do youth orchestra string auditions usually require?
The common shape is scales, one or two solo selections, and, for the more advanced ensembles, orchestral excerpts. Many ask for a single continuous, unedited take. The exact list varies by orchestra, ensemble, and season.
When are youth orchestra auditions?
Most audition in the spring or summer for the fall season, though windows vary widely, from rolling admission to fixed deadlines. Confirm the current cycle on each orchestra's official site.
How do I practice my youth orchestra audition recording?
Record your audition excerpt on Orchestra Kingdom and get an Advance, Callback, or Not Yet verdict with scores on tone, intonation, rhythm, tempo, and musicality, the same dimensions a panel weighs, before you submit. Your first take is free, no signup.
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