Youth Symphony Auditions

Thank you for your interest in the San Luis Obispo Youth Symphony.

Youth Symphony is open to musicians that are high school seniors or younger. Based on their audition, 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.

All musicians are encouraged to audition, regardless of financial need, as scholarships are available on a need basis. See the Youth Symphony page for more information.

If you have multiple siblings in YS, please submit a separate registration form for each student.

Before registering, please contact Music Education Coordinator Grace Seng at grace@slosymphony.org for details. The audition period has passed but individual auditions may be available.

To register for an audition, you must complete both steps:

  1. Fill out the registration form
  2. Pay the audition fee

There is a non-refundable, non tax-deductible fee of $35 for each child auditioning for Youth Symphony.

Note that all students must audition and pay the $35 fee every year. 

2024-25 Audition Payment Page

Contact Music Education Coordinator Grace Seng at grace@slosymphony.org for details.

  1. Prepared Solo: Bach Minuets in Suzuki Book 1 or higher
  2. Sight reading of simple melodies
  3. 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
  1. Prepared Solo: A prepared piece at least at the level of Suzuki Book 3 or higher. Violins should have some experience with shifting to 3rd position.
  2. Sight reading at an intermediate level
  3. 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
  1. Prepared Solo
  2. Simple sight reading
  3. Four major scales of your choice and a chromatic scale
  1. Prepared Solo: Violins should be in the level of Suzuki Book 6 or higher. Please prepare about 1 page of solo music; we won’t hear the entire piece.
  2. Sight reading at an advanced level
  3. Scales:
    • Violin: 3-octave major scales: G, A, B-flat, C, D
    • Viola: 3-octave major scales: C, D, E-flat, F, G
    • Cello: 3-octave major scales: C, D, E-flat, F, G
    • Bass: 3-octave major scale of your choice
    • Brass and Woodwinds:
      • 2-octave Major scales up to 3 flats and 3 sharps
    • 2-octave Chromatic scales
  4. Required Orchestra Excerpts:

Percussion:

  • Snare drum roll
  • Timpani roll and tuning
  • Major scales on a mallet instrument