Youth Orchestra Audition Requirements & Procedures
Musician Requirements
In order to participate in the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, musicians who successfully pass both auditions must:
- be enrolled in their applicable school music program if one exists (orchestra, band, etc.) and,
- be no younger than 12 and no older than 22 on September 1, 2026
Audition Process
- Complete the 26/27 Youth Orchestra Audition Application and pay the non-refundable $30.00 application fee by Tuesday, March 31.
- Pass the preliminary audition, if one is required.
- Pass the final audition.
The Music Director of the YO and musicians of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra serve as adjudicators for both preliminary and final auditions.
Note: All musicians interested in auditioning for the 26/27 Youth Orchestra, including all returning YO musicians, must complete the online application.
Preliminary Audition
Preliminary auditions for the 2026/27 season will be conducted digitally via submitted audio-only recordings.
The necessity for preliminary auditions is determined annually per section based on the number of applicants for each instrument. If it is required, applicants must pass the preliminary audition in order to advance to the final audition.
Applicants not currently in the Youth Orchestra, or returning musicians auditioning for a new section, should be prepared to take a preliminary audition. If a preliminary audition is required, applicants will be notified by Saturday, April 4 and recordings must be submitted by Saturday, April 18.
Preliminary auditions consist of scales and a solo of the student’s choice. Please see the Preliminary Audition Requirements for your instrument located below for more information.
Review the Recorded Preliminary Auditions Guidelines to ensure that your submitted recording meets all the requirements. Recordings that do not adhere to the guidelines, or are suspected of being altered in any way, will be disqualified.
Final Audition
Current Youth Orchestra musicians – full time and alternate – and applicants who advance from the preliminary audition must take an in-person final audition. These final auditions will be held in June 2026 at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center. Specific days and times will be assigned and communicated following the release of preliminary audition results on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Final auditions include the Preliminary Audition Requirements and a set of orchestral excerpts. Please refer to the Final Audition Requirements (coming May 2, 2026) for a comprehensive list of performance expectations for your instrument.
Preliminary Audition Requirements
Final Audition Requirements (coming May 2, 2026)
SLSO education programs are presented by:
