2024-2025 Concert Season Audition Submission Process, Instructions, 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; complete and return it by e-mail as a PDF attachment along with the link to your audition video folder/file)

2024-2025 Concert Season Audition Submission/Process Overview and Instructions
(click the link above to print the 2-page PDF with audition video instructions, video components, script)

Music Excerpts: Youth Symphony (advanced level)
Music Excerpts: Youth Orchestra (intermediate/preparatory level)

To determine selection/placement and seating in the Youth Symphony (advanced level) and the Youth Orchestra (intermediate/preparatory level), the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon (YSSO) must receive an e-mail with a link to a single audition video file saved on Google Drive and a completed Musician Contact Information form (as a PDF attachment) from all musicians. The single audition video file must include a 3-minute solo of the musician’s choice, the required music excerpt, and scale. Your name, instrument, and the audition video file link should be in the body of the e-mail. Do not send the audition video file as an attachment.  The Musician Contact Information form is a fillable PDF. Type responses into the form. Do not revise, scan, or photograph the form, or save in any other format. Send the completed form as a PDF attachment. The audition video file link and the completed form (PDF) must be sent to the YSSO via e-mail (info@ysso.org) between August 1 and August 23, 2024.

Music excerpts for the Youth Symphony and the Youth Orchestra and the fillable PDF form are on the YSSO website (ysso.org). Keep in mind Youth Symphony excerpts are not the same as Youth Orchestra excerpts.

The music director/conductor and adjudicator(s) will meet after August 23 to discuss audition submissions, selection/placement, and seating. Notification of audition results will be by regular mail. Notification letters will be mailed on or about September 23.

Rehearsals begin Sunday, September 29. Rehearsals on September 29 will be on an “early start” schedule.  Orientation sessions for parents/guardians of Youth Symphony and Youth Orchestra musicians, musician registration, and volunteer recruitment will take place during the rehearsals on Sunday, October 6. All registration forms, materials, and releases are due on Sunday, October 6.

Returning and New Brass, String, and Woodwind Musicians

As noted above, all returning and new musicians interested in participating in the YSSO during the 2024-2025 season must submit a link to a single audition video file (saved on Google Drive) which includes a 3-minute solo of the musician’s choice, the required music excerpt, and scale along with a completed Musician Contact Information form (PDF) to the YSSO via e-mail (info@ysso.org) between August 1 and August 23, 2024.

If a musician is unsure whether to audition for the Youth Orchestra (intermediate/preparatory) or the Youth Symphony (advanced), the musician should review the excerpts and select the one that best reflects skill level. If a musician is auditioning for the Youth Symphony, the musician should play the Youth Symphony excerpt.

Musicians and families may contact the executive director (info@ysso.org) if questions arise. Questions related to music, music excerpt(s), scales, or Youth Symphony or Youth Orchestra skill levels should be directed to the music director & conductor (hutton@sou.edu).

Returning and New Percussionists

Percussion musicians submit only a completed Musician Contact Information form (PDF) to the YSSO via e-mail (info@ysso.org) between August 1 and August 23, 2024. The music director/conductor will audition percussionists at a time to be determined.

Audition Video File Content/Components

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

1. Solo (unaccompanied) piece of no more than three (3) minutes in length;
2. Required music excerpt (unaccompanied) for your instrument (available below); and
3. Scale - See the following for specifics (unaccompanied)

Youth Symphony Scale(s)
Strings: 3-octave scale of the musician’s choice (basses play 2-octaves)
Winds: 2-octave chromatic scale of the musician’s choice

Youth Orchestra Scale(s)
Strings: 2-octave major scale of the musician’s choice
Winds: 1-octave chromatic scale of the musician’s choice

Set up a Google Drive account. Save the audition video file to Google Drive (be sure to grant permission to access the file). Send a link to the audition video file along with the completed Musician Contact Information form (as a PDF attachment) to the YSSO via e-mail (info@ysso.org) between the dates of August 1 and August 23, 2024.

Google Account Information & Help Link

2024-2025 Audition Videos: Set-Up/Recording, Instructions, Script, Submission

Read the following instructions concerning camera placement, set-up, recording, and audition video file content. A script for the solo, music excerpt, and scale introductions follows as well.

Tune your instrument before recording your 3-minute solo, required excerpt, and scale. Review the recording prior to submission. Title the file as directed below. Do not edit or manipulate the video. Other than pausing between segments, no editing is permitted.
Set-Up & Recording

* Record your audition video using a smart phone, web cam, or video camera. If you use a smart phone, 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 need to be seen 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. Hit pause (if your phone has this function) or continue and record the next component.

* 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. Hit pause (if your phone has this function) or continue and record the next component.

* State the scale you will play: “I will be playing the Youth Symphony (wind or strings) _____ scale” or “I will be playing the Youth Orchestra (wind or strings) _____ scale.” Play and record the scale.

* After recording the 3-minute solo, music excerpt, and scale, save the file. Include your instrument and your name in the file name: INSTRUMENT_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME

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

* Set up a Google Drive account. Save the audition video file with the 3-minute solo, music excerpt, and scale as a single MP4/MPEG4 file on Google Drive. Be sure to grant permission to access the file. Do not send the audition video file to the YSSO as an attachment.

* Submit a completed Musician Contact Information form (as a PDF attachment) to the YSSO (info@ysso.org) along with the audition video link between August 1 and August 23, 2024.

Musician Contact Information Form (fillable PDF)

Click the link above to download the 2024-2025 Musician Contact Information Form. All musicians must complete and submit this form (PDF) . The form is a "fillable" PDF. Download the form, type responses, save the file, and return it to the YSSO by e-mail. Send the completed Musician Contact Information form as a PDF attachment. The link to the audition video file saved on Google Drive should be in the body of the message along with your name and instrument.

3-Minute Solo Work or Movement:

As previously noted, all musicians are required to submit a link to an audition video file saved on Google Drive that includes a 3-minute solo of the musician's choice, the required music excerpt for Youth Symphony or Youth Orchestra, and scale. Each musician should consult with his/her private teacher in selecting a 3-minute solo or portion of a movement that best demonstrates technical proficiency, command of the instrument and musicianship. The 3-minute solo 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 a 3-minute solo of the musician's choice, the audition video file must include the required music excerpt for Youth Symphony selected by the Music Director/Conductor and a scale (see the instructions). 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 2024-2025 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 Submission Process/Overview (PDF) for information about the submission process, video instructions, video components, and script.

Youth Symphony Music Excerpts (individual PDF files)

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

In addition to a 3-minute solo of the musician's choice, the audition video file must include the required music excerpt for Youth Orchestra selected by the Music Director/Conductor and a scale (see the instructions). The following 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 2024-2025 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 Submission Process/Overview (PDF) for information about the submission process, video instructions, video components, and script.

Youth Orchestra Required Music Excerpts (individual PDF files)

Required Scale for Youth Symphony and for Youth Orchestra String and Wind Musicians:

Youth Symphony Scale(s)
Strings: 3-octave scale of the musician’s choice (basses play 2-octaves)
Winds: 2-octave chromatic scale of the musician’s choice

Youth Orchestra Scale(s)
Strings: 2-octave major scale of the musician’s choice
Winds: 1-octave chromatic scale of the musician’s choice