2023-2024 Audition Process, Instructions, Contact Information Form, Music Excerpts

Musician Contact Information Form flute section
(click the link above to open the 1-page fillable PDF; save the file to your computer; fill in and return by e-mail)

Audition Process, Requirements, and Instructions
(click the above link to print video instructions, requirements, script; 2-page PDF )

Music Excerpts: Youth Symphony (advanced level group)
Music Excerpts: Youth Orchestra (intermediate level group)

To determine placement and seating in the Youth Symphony (advanced group) and the Youth Orchestra (intermediate group), the YSSO must receive an audition video from all new musicians. Returning musicians for whom seating & placement are priorities must submit an audition video as well (see below). All musicians must complete and submit the Musician Contact Information form. Audition videos and forms must be submitted to the YSSO via e-mail between August 1 and August 22. The fillable PDF form and the music excerpts are posted on the YSSO website (see below for the Youth Orchestra excerpts and the Youth Symphony excerpts).

The music director/conductor and guest adjudicator(s) will meet after August 22 to review, assess, and discuss audition videos, placement, and seating. As per previous seasons, notification will be via regular mail.

Rehearsals begin Sunday, September 24. Rehearsals that day will be on an “early start” schedule. Registration, parent orientation, and volunteer recruitment will take place during rehearsals on Sunday, October 1.

Returning Musicians (three scenarios – please review)

If you wish to play in the same YSSO group in which you played last season and seating is not a priority for you, you are invited to continue your participation. In this case, an audition video is not required. Send an e-mail to the YSSO (info@ysso.org) with your name, instrument, and a completed Musician Contact Information form between August 1 and August 22 to indicate your intent to participate. The fillable PDF form is posted on the YSSO website (see below).

—* If you wish to play in the same YSSO group as last season and seating is a priority for you, you must submit an audition video (with a 3-minute solo and either the Youth Orchestra or the Youth Symphony excerpt) and the completed Musician Contact Information form to the YSSO via e-mail between August 1 and August 22. Include the excerpt for the YSSO group in which you played last season. The excerpts and fillable PDF form are posted on the YSSO website (see below).

—* If you played in the Youth Orchestra last season and wish to be considered for the Youth Symphony, you must submit an audition video (with a 3-minute solo and the Youth Symphony excerpt) and the completed Musician Contact Information form to the YSSO via e-mail between August 1 and August 22. Be sure you include the Youth Symphony excerpt. The excerpts and fillable PDF form are posted on the YSSO website (see below).

Percussion Musicians

Percussionists submit only a completed Musician Contact Information form to the YSSO via e-mail between August 1 and August 22. The music director/conductor will audition percussionists at a time to be determined.

New Musicians

Musicians who did not participate last season and are interested in participating during the 2023-2024 season, must submit a video audition (with a 3-minute solo and the required excerpt) and a completed Musician Contact Information form to the YSSO via e-mail (info@ysso.org) between August 1 and August 22. If you are unsure whether to audition for the Youth Orchestra (intermediate-level group) or the Youth Symphony (advanced-level group), review the excerpts and select the one that best reflects your skill level. Excerpts and the fillable PDF form are on the YSSO website. NOTE: Musicians and families new to the YSSO may contact the YSSO executive director (info@ysso.org) for assistance. Questions related to music, the excerpt(s), or Youth Symphony or Youth Orchestra skill levels should be directed to Cynthia Hutton, music director & conductor (hutton@sou.edu).

Audition Video Content & Format

The audition video (single MP4/MPEG4 file) must include the following (in the order listed):

            1. solo (unaccompanied) piece of no more than three (3) minutes in length; and
            2. required excerpt (unaccompanied) for your instrument (available on the YSSO website - see below).

No scale(s).

NOTE: MP4 is a universally compatible file format that works on a variety of devices. MP4 is the digital container file and MPEG-4 is the standard for encoding the video content within MP4 files. MP4s have smaller file sizes while maintaining high video/audio quality.

2023-2024 Concert Season Audition Videos: Set-Up/Recording, Instructions, File Format/Size, Script, Submission

Audition videos and Musician Contact Information forms must be submitted to the YSSO via e-mail (info@ysso.org) between August 1 and August 22.

Please read the following instructions concerning camera placement, sound level, video file format and size, solo and music excerpt introductions, prohibition on editing/manipulation.

Tune your instrument before recording your solo and the required excerpt. Review the recording prior to submission. Title the file as required (see below).

Musicians submitting an audition video must send a completed Musician Contact Information form (see the link to fillable PDF below) to the YSSO via e-mail (info@ysso.org) with the audition video file.

Set-Up & Recording

*  Record your audition video using a smartphone, webcam, or video camera. If you use a smartphone, be sure it is in the “landscape” orientation (horizontal/wide frame) and situated securely on a stable/flat surface.

* The music director/conductor and adjudicator(s) must be able to view your face, posture, body, full range of motion, instrument, technique, fingerings, bow, embouchure, etc. Do not block the view with a music stand. Strings (violin/viola) need to be seen either from the side or (cello/bass) at a 45% (minimum) angle from the right side of the instrument so the music director/conductor and adjudicator(s) can view playing positions. Woodwinds and brass should be viewed straight on and show the whole instrument, embouchure, and fingers. Brass players should not point the bell directly at the microphone.

* Verify the microphone is unobstructed and check sound levels to ensure the recording will not be distorted or inaudible.

Instructions, Introduction Protocol, Script

* At the beginning of the video, state your name and instrument: “My name is ____________ and I am auditioning on the ______________.”

* Introduce the title of your solo work and the name of the composer: “The title of the solo piece I will be playing is ________________ by ___________.” Play and record your 3-minute solo piece. Hit pause.

* State the YSSO group and the instrument excerpt you will play: “I will be playing the Youth Symphony ____________ excerpt” or “I will be playing the Youth Orchestra ____________ excerpt.” Play and record the excerpt.

* After recording your solo and excerpt, save/title the file: INSTRUMENT_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME

* Listen to your recording to assess sound levels, clarity, etc. before submitting the audition video.

* Record/save your solo and excerpt in a single MP4/MPEG4 file. The file cannot exceed 4MB.

* Remember to complete and send a Musician Contact Information form (link to fillable PDF below) with your audition video.

Musician Contact Information Form (fillable PDF)

Click the link above to download the 2023-2024 Musician Contact Information Form. All musicians must complete and submit this form. The form is a "fillable" PDF. Download the form, type your responses, save the file, and return it to the YSSO by e-mail. If you are submitting an audition video, send the completed Musician Contact Information with your audition video.

Solo Work or Movement:

All musicians required to submit an audition video must include a solo work or portion of a movement of no more than 3 minutes in duration (please time the selection and play for no more than 3 minutes) for the audition. Each musician should consult with his/her private teacher in selecting a work or movement that best demonstrates technical proficiency, command of the instrument and musicianship. The solo work or movement should be level-appropriate. More advanced student musicians are encouraged to play pieces that demonstrate maximum technical and musical facility. Musicians intending to play first parts should be prepared to demonstrate facility in the higher register.

The Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon has prepared lists of recommended works or movements for violin, viola or cello for Youth Orchestra and for Youth Symphony musicians. Please keep in mind that selection of a recommended work or movement, however, will not guarantee selection for or placement in Youth Orchestra or Youth Symphony.

Please click on the links below to view or download lists (PDFs) of recommended solo works or movements for violin, viola or cello:

Required Excerpts for Youth Symphony (advanced-level group) :

In addition to the 3-minute solo, musicians submitting an audition video for participation in the Youth Symphony are required to play music excerpts selected by the Music Director/Conductor. Please keep in mind required music excerpts for the Youth Symphony are not the same as the required music excerpts for the Youth Orchestra. Be sure you are preparing the correct excerpt(s). To review or print a list of Youth Symphony excerpts for all instruments, click here.

Individual PDF files with the 2023-2024 music excerpt(s) for the Youth Symphony are below. Select your instrument and click the link to view, download, and print the music excerpt (PDF).

In addition to the music excerpt, be sure to download and/or print the two-page Audition Process, Requirements, and Instructions (PDF) for an overview of this year's audition process, requirements, and instructions.

Youth Symphony Music Excerpts (individual PDF files)

Required Excerpts for Youth Orchestra (intermediate-level group):

In addition to a 3-minute solo, musicians submitting an audition video for participation in the Youth Orchestra are expected to play a music excerpt selected by the Music Director/Conductor. The required music excerpts for the Youth Orchestra are not the same as the required music excerpts for the Youth Symphony. Be sure you are preparing the correct excerpt(s). To review or print a list of Youth Orchestra excerpts for all instruments, click here.

Individual PDF files with the 2023-2024 music excerpt(s) for the Youth Orchestra are posted below. Please select your instrument and click the link to view, download, and print the music excerpt (PDF).

In addition to the music excerpt, be sure to download and/or print the two-page Audition Process, Requirements, and Instructions (PDF) for an overview of this year's audition process, requirements, and instructions.

Youth Orchestra Required Music Excerpts (individual PDF files)