Audition Information

Youth Symphony of DuPage (YSDP) welcomes new musicians (advanced grade school through high school) to audition for our Sinfonietta Strings, Philharmonia Strings, Concert, and Symphony Orchestras.

Auditions are open to all musicians with special consideration for talented wind, brass, and percussion musicians.

The minimum requirement for enrollment in Concert Orchestra is for anyone who has been studying privately for at least two years with a private lesson teacher is eligible to audition. The Orchestra students range from 6th to 12th grade. However, those who are noticeably advanced younger players are considered at the directors’ discretion.

YSDP Rehearsals are on Mondays. There are a series of three public Concerts per performance season in a typical performance year. The concerts take place in Wenz Concert Hall in Naperville Illinois.

The YSDP has been keeping a close eye on developments related to COVID-19, and we are excited to announce proactive steps to prioritize the health and safety of our musicians, conductors, judges, employees, parents, and our community.

The 2020-2021 Audition Participants: Thank you for participating in the Audition for the current performance year. The Audition is now closed. Since this year’s audition is done by submitting required video links, you can still do so with your private teacher’s recommendation and a $25 audition fee. If you would like to join YSDP please complete the registration and submit your video links via an email at audition@ysdp.org.

In response to COVID-19, the Audition will be done through online YouTube video links.

Click here to download the Fall Audition Brochure: “YSDP Audition Brochure” (Posted on June 2, updated on June 22)

Once you register, you can submit YouTube links for the Performance Season 2020-2021 audition. Please see the VIDEO AUDITION DETAILS section of this page for details.

VIDEO AUDITION DETAILS

You can now record it and submit YouTube links for the Performance Season 2020-2021 audition. All Spring Auditions will be done through online YouTube videos.

Please see below for more information and directions regarding the audition components.

Members of YSDP Judges will review your audition video. You will receive notification of your audition results via email on or about June 8.

HOW TO AUDITION:

* Record your audition

* Upload your recording to YouTube as an unlisted video

* Email your recording to us at audition@ysdp.org

Familiarize yourself with the audition requirements and practice each of the elements. We recommend you warm up before you begin your recording. We also recommend that you practice doing your recording so that you are familiar with the equipment you are using and feel comfortable and relaxed once you do the final video.

WHERE TO SUBMIT AUDITION LINKS

Please submit your YouTube audition video links at audition@ysdp.org.

WHAT TO SUBMIT

Please submit only the audition video Links consisting of the following items:

* Two (2) contrasting solo pieces (60 seconds)

* (1) major scale and one (1) melodic minor scale of your choice and style video link (2 octaves, optionally 3 octaves for violin/viola/cello)

* Symphony Orchestra auditions, please also include a link for the required excerpt video link. Also, one (1) major scale and one (1) melodic minor scales for Symphony audition are 3 octaves.

WHAT TO NAME: Examples

3 YouTube links (4 YouTube Links for Symphony audition) using the naming convention much like the following:

* Lastname_Firstname_Solo1

* Lastname_Firstname_Solo2

* Lastname_Firstname_Scales

* Lastname_Firstname_Excerpt (Symphony only)

You will receive the audition result on or about June 8.

We are looking forward to your audition videos!

DOWNLOAD

YSDP Audition Brochure The new Fall Audition Brochure

How to upload Step-by-Step Guide Using YouTube

AUDITION OVERVIEW

YSDP auditions and seating for the Sinfonietta Strings, Concert and Symphony Orchestras are competitive.

All new candidates and current members must participate in the audition process for the upcoming 2020 – 2021 season.

Current member placement does not guarantee the same placement for the new season.

Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of playing experience on their instrument with private instruction and playing with proficiency for advanced orchestral performance. Anything less requires a music teacher’s recommendation.

Students may choose to audition for one of the orchestras by following the below criteria; completing the online applications and submitting the audition fee to YSDP.

Please note, auditioning for Symphony Orchestra does not guarantee your placement in Symphony, you may be considered for Concert Orchestra.

If you do not want to be considered for the Concert Orchestra, please note on your application.

Those auditioning for Sinfonietta Strings and/or Concert Orchestra will not be considered for the Symphony Orchestra.

Seating is at the music director’s discretion

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

SINFONIETTA STRING, PHILHARMONIA STRING, CONCERT ORCHESTRA REQUIREMENTS:

Two contrasting movements or solo pieces, 60 seconds for each selection

Does NOT need to be memorized

ONE major scale and ONE melodic minor scale of your choice

2 octaves

3 octaves (optional) for violin/viola/cello

Orchestral excerpts are NOT required