Youth Orchestra Auditions – Frequently Asked Questions

This depends on whether you are already in the orchestra and what instrument you play. Returning and alternate players do not need to take a preliminary audition and are automatically advanced to the final auditions. Some instruments will not need to take a preliminary audition depending on the number of applicants. You will be notified via email by Thursday, April 4 of which instruments are required to take a preliminary audition.

It depends on the audition round and varies by instrument. For detailed information about what is expected of you in the audition, please  visit our Audition Requirements & Procedures page and click on your instrument to download a .pdf of your instrument’s specific audition requirements. We recommend printing this page and retaining it for your records.

The panel of judges will be comprised of musicians of the SLSO and may also include the Music Director.

Yes, all auditions are blind. This means that your identity will be unknown to the judges (and vice versa). This mirrors a professional orchestra audition and ensures that musicians are accepted into the orchestra on their merit alone.

Yes, and you may also choose to play a different solo in each round. It is entirely your choice.

No, students will not receive judge’s comments from either round of the auditions.

You are in great company. Auditions for this ensemble are competitive, with a ~33% acceptance rate overall. The act of auditioning is an accomplishment and we hope that you enjoyed and learned something from the experience. We want to stay in touch with you throughout the year, so you should expect to receive invitations to attend SLSO concerts, various Youth Orchestra events, and more.

We audition for all instruments that you would find in a standard full orchestra. Unfortunately, this does not include instruments such as saxophone or guitar. To see which instruments that can audition, please see our audition requirements and procedures.

Yes. The Youth Orchestra would not exist were it not for the music programs in our region’s schools. Musicians must participate in their applicable school music program, meaning a violinist must play in their school’s orchestra, a flutist must play in their school’s band, etc. If such an ensemble does not exist in your school, this requirement is waived, i.e. a violinist would not be required to play in their school’s band if an orchestra does not exist at their school.

Should you be unable to participate due to your school’s class schedule, then the Youth Orchestra Manager will be in contact with your school’s orchestra/band director to see what solutions are available.

Yes! Musicians must participate in their school music programs (see above). Our attendance policy is structured in such a way to allow our musicians to involve themselves in other activities. We aim to be extra accommodating when it comes to conflicts with school music commitments.

Musicians must be no younger than 12 and no older than 22 on September 1 of any given year. Exceptions to this are rarely made and only done on a case by case basis.