Youth Symphony

Auditions & Registration

Auditions 2020-2021

The registration form below must be completed for each child wishing to participate in Youth Symphony. While auditions are not required for Super Bows, this form must still be completed to register your child.

Each student will be placed in the ensemble best suited to their skill level. Please check the sidebar for additional information about the audition guidelines, schedule, requirements, and more.

Student Information

MM/DD/YYYY:

Gender:

Graduation Year:

Student T-Shirt size:

Please include student email if you would like for them to receive rehearsal reminders and other announcements.

Parent/Guardian Information

Please note: Primary Parent/Guardian name and address must match on payment page.

Would you like your contact info listed in the Youth Symphony Parent Directory? Families use this information to set up carpools and other things related to Youth Symphony. It will only be distributed to YS families.

Audition Information

Auditions are not required for Super Bows participants.

Requested Ensemble:

Instrument:

Emergency Information

Optional:

MEDICAL RELEASE: I (We) the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the above named minor, give my (our) permission for my (our) child to participate in the San Luis Obispo Symphony's Youth Symphony and assume all risks and hazards incidental thereto, including those arising in the course of transportation to and from Youth Symphony functions. I (We) hereby give consent and authorize proper authorities of Youth Symphony to administer first aid, authorize necessary emergency treatment at a nearby emergency medical facility, and/or authorize a medical doctor to examine or treat the child for illness or injury or both while he/she is in attendance with Youth Symphony or on related activities. By selecting this box you are agreeing to the terms above.

Media Release

The San Luis Obispo Symphony may take photographs, videos, or recordings of Youth Symphony auditions, rehearsals, and performances to be used on our website and/or social media accounts, as well as printed materials such as brochures and funding requests. While we will not tag or identify any student, your child's image may be used in these promotional materials in this and future years. No photographs, videos, or recordings will be sold or used for commercial purposes.
I give my permission for the use of any Youth Symphony related photographs, videos, or audio recordings of my child for promotional and social media purposes. By selecting this box you are agreeing to the terms above.

Tuition Agreement

I understand that tuition payments cover only half of the expenses, and that fundraising will help to offset the costs. We agree to pay the full tuition that is due, as outlined in the Membership Handbook. By selecting this box you are agreeing to the terms above.

Participation Agreement

I recognize that the San Luis Obispo Symphony Youth Symphony is largely a participatory volunteer organization. I will honor the requirement of contributing 3 hours of volunteer time or select the "buy out" option by contributing $100 (not deducted from tuition). By accepting this agreement you understand that if you do not serve your required 3 hours or opt to pay the buy-out by the end of the season, you will be invoiced for $100.00. By selecting this box you are agreeing to the terms above.

The information contained in this form will be used by the San Luis Obispo Symphony as it pertains to the Youth Symphony program. After clicking "submit" you will be redirected to a payment page. A $35 audition fee is required to reserve your child's spot in this program. This fee is waived for students joining Super Bows. If you have any questions regarding this payment, please call the San Luis Obispo Symphony office at 805-543-3533 and ask for the Music Education department.

Everything You Need to Know About YS Auditions

Who can audition for YS?

Youth Symphony is open to musicians that are high school seniors or younger. If you have taken private string lessons for one year or are a Strings in the Schools graduate, no audition is required to join Super Bows. All students must fill out a registration form.

Is there a fee?

There is a non-refundable, non tax-deductible fee of $35 for each child auditioning for Youth Symphony (with the exception of Super Bows students).

When are auditions?

The 2020-2021 audition schedule is as follows:

Concert Orchestra string musicians, Academy String Orchestra:
Fri, May 29, 2020 | 10:00 AM – 7 :30 PM

Concert Orchestra woodwind musicians, Concert Orchestra brass musicians, Symphonic Winds:
Sat, May 30, 2020 | 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM

Preparatory Strings:
Mon, June 1, 2020 | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Percussion:
Live auditions Fall 2020 | TBA

Please click here view available time slots for upcoming auditions.

Where will they be held?

The May/June auditions will be held on Zoom. Please be warmed up, tuned, and logged on to Zoom 10 minutes before your time. Be prepared to wait in the online waiting room until your audition time.

What are the requirements?

Each Youth Symphony ensemble is designed for different skill levels and each has their own audition requirements.

Concert Orchestra

Prepared Piece of your choice
Possible sight reading
Scales
- Strings: 3-octave Major scales up to 3 flats and 3 sharps. Adjudicators may ask for bowing variation.
  - Violin Scales Sheet Music
  - Cello Scales Sheet Music
- Brass and Woodwinds: 2-octave Major scales up to 3 flats and 3 sharps; 2-octave Chromatic scales
The following prepared piece, prepare the excerpts specified (click the instrument name to download):
- Violin
  - Beginning for 10 measures
  - [2] to [3]
  - 9 measures before [10] to [10]
- Violin II (choose this if you are auditioning for Concert Orchestra but are not ready for Violin I)
  - Beginning [1]
  - [2] to [3]
  - 27 measures after [12] to end
- Viola
  - Beginning for 10 measures
  - 8 measures before [1] to [1]
  - 6 measures after [11] to fff
- Cello
  - Beginning for 10 measures
  - [6] for 11 measures
  - [11] to [12]
- Bass
  - Beginning for 10 measures
  - 8 measures before [4] to [4]
  - [11] to double bar
- Flute
  - Pick up to [1] to [2]
  - 7 measures after [2], the 4 measures of triplets
  - 7 measures after [5] to [6]
  - 16 measures after [9] to [10]
- Oboe
  - Pick up to [1] to [2]
  - Triple section 7 after [2] ( for 4 measures )
  - 7 measures after [5] to [6]
  - 16 measures after [9] to [10]
- Clarinet in A (If playing on Clarinet in Bb, you will need to transpose to the correct key)
  - Pick up to [1] to [2]
  - Triple section 7 after [2] ( for 4 measures )
  - “Solo” passage before [3] ( end halfway through the 16th measure of [3] )
- Bassoon
  - Pick up to [1] to [2]
  - “Solo” before [3]
  - 8 measures before [5] to downbeat of 1 measure before [5]
  - “Solo” 9 measures after [10]
- French Horn
  - 3 measures before [4]
  - 11 measures after [5] to [6]
  - 4 measures before [11] to [11]
- Trumpet in Bb
  - Theme at beginning
  - 9 measures after [7] to [8]
  - [Un poco meno mosso] before end to end
- Alto Trombone
  - Beginning
  - 5 measures after [11] to [12]
  - [Un poco meno mosso] to end
- Tenor Trombone
  - 5 measures before [2]
  - 9 measures after [7] to [9]
  - [Un poco meno mosso] to end
- Bass Trombone / Tuba
  - Beginning
  - [9] to end of the piece

Academy String Orchestra

Violin: A prepared piece at least at the level of Suzuki Book 3 or higher and experience in 3rd position
Viola and Cello: A prepared piece at least at the level of Suzuki Book 3 or higher
Possible Sight reading at an intermediate level
Scales (click the instrument below for sheet music):
- Violin: 2-octave major scales – G, A C, D and B-flat
- Viola: 2-octave major scales – C, D, F, and E-flat
- Cello: 2-octave major scales – C, D, and one of your choice
- Bass: 2-octave major scale of your choice

Symphonic Winds

A prepared solo piece or part (please send in PDF of your part for our reference)
Possible simple sight reading
Four major scales of your choice and a chromatic scale

Preparatory Strings

A prepared piece at the level of Bach Minuets in Suzuki Book 1 or higher
Possible sight reading of simple melodies
Scales (click the instrument below for sheet music):
- Violin: 1-octave D and A Major, 2-octave G Major
- Viola: 1-octave D and G Major, 2-octave C Major
- Cello: 1-octave D and G Major, 2-octave C Major
- Bass: 1-octave G Major

Percussion

Snare drum roll
Timpani roll and tuning
Major scales on a mallet instrument
A prepared piece TBA for Fall 2020 audition dates

Questions?

If you have additional questions, please email the Music Education Director at musiceducation@slosymphony.com.