Audition Information
Youth Symphony of DuPage (YSDP) welcomes new musicians of advanced grade school through high school to audition for our Sinfonietta Strings, Philharmonia Strings, Concert Orchestra, 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. Those who are noticeably advanced younger players are considered at the directors’ discretion.
AUDITION AND REHEARSAL FORMAT:
The health and safety of YSDP students and their families are of the greatest importance to the YSDP. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all auditions will be held online via YouTube Links. In addition, YSDP will hold 2021-2022 audition activities in-person and in accordance with governmental regulations with accommodations for online rehearsals.
YSDP Rehearsals are on Mondays. There are a series of two or three public Concerts per performance season in a typical performance year.
Click here to view or download the Audition Brochure: “YSDP Audition Brochure”
Once you register, you can submit YouTube links for the Performance Season 2021-2022 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.
Members of YSDP Judges will review your audition video. The audition result will be sent to the primary email address on our file on or about June 15 from YSDP Document Center via DocuSign. Please look out for the email.
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 to 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!
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
No sight-reading
Please dress appropriately for your audition
SYMPHONY 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 for winds/brass
3 octaves for violin/viola/cello
Required orchestral excerpts (see below)
No sight-reading
Please dress appropriately for your audition
ORCHESTRA EXCERPTS (FOR SYMPHONY ONLY)
To all Symphony auditions: Please prepare ALL bracketed excerpts for your instrument. All excerpts are selected from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake”, finale. Click Here for a reference performance