Rossen Milanov, Music Director

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Opening Night: A John Williams Celebration

September 20, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
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CSYO AUDITIONS

Junior Strings

Please review all of the requirements below carefully. Be sure to complete the Online Audition Application below as well.

Scales

Perform 1 Major Scale from the following choices and in as many octaves as possible

Select 1 scale from the following:
A Major, G Major, D Major, C Major

Edibility Requirements

  • In Grade 3rd-7th
  • Participate in their school instrumental music programs
  • Take private lessons on their instrument on which they perform in CSYO
  • Audition Application

CYSO Excerpts

Auditionees are required to include BOTH of the listed excerpts for their instrument in the audition video. To view the prepared excerpts, click the corresponding CSYO ensemble below:

Junior Strings

grades 3–7

excerpts

Chamber Strings

grades 6–9

excerpts
excerpts

Repertory Orchestra

grades 7–10

excerpts

Youth Orchestra

grades 9–12

excerpts

Solo

Perform 1 Prepared Solo that can be a solo piece, etude, or concerto:

  1. No longer than 5 minutes
  2. Discuss your selection with your private teacher

Audition Timeline

  • All Auditionees MUST complete an online application in order to receive their results
  • Upload your audition video
  • Pay the $40 audition fee
    Checks can be made out to: Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestras
    And Sent to:
    Attn. Nia Dewberry
    Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra
    55 E. State Street
    Columbus, OH 43215
  • Audition results will be delivered via mail during the last week of May, along with additional season information for those accepted into the program
  • If you do not receive your audition results by June 8, please contact us

Tips for Recording Your Audition

  • Choose a recording space: a clean, quiet room with natural lighting and moderate reverberation is the best place to record your audition video. if you’re recording at home be sure to talk with your family ahead of time and be sure to pick a time when things are relatively quiet.
  • setting up: make sure your recording equipment is on a stable surface. you can record with your phone, laptop, or tablet, and use household items to prop up your device to make sure you get a good shot. Check that your camera is in front-facing mode (rather than a selfie) and is in a wide (landscape) orientation. set the device 6-10 ft. away from you for the best audio quality. shoot your video at 1080 at 30 frames per second, or consider shooting in 4k.
  • be sure to dress the part!
  • the recording process: Create a test recording of yourself performing at a range of dynamic levels, then play the video back to ensure everything is working properly. when you are ready record your audition excerpts in order. you will want to record multiple takes so that you can review, and select the best one afterwards.
    if you make a minor mistake do not stop, play through it! If you make a major mistake, stop the recording, take a break, and begin again.
    give yourself plenty of time to create your audition video!
  • the review and submission process: review your recordings when you are finished making them. check musical as well as technical details. you can always send it to a family member, friend, or teacher for feedback. once you’ve selected the highest-quality recording, upload your submission.