Audition with CYS

Thank you for your interest in auditioning with The Carolina Youth Symphony!

CYS is made up of three orchestras, the Symphony Orchestra, the Concert Orchestra and the Repertory Orchestra, to meet the varying needs of musically talented youth in the Upstate Region.

Click your favorite format below to view/download the audition requirements and application:

• Audition application in WORD format.
• Audition application in WORKS format.
• Audition application in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format.

Audition Requirements

Auditions for any Carolina Youth Symphony orchestra will include:

• A prepared solo that demonstrates the musician’s highest level of ability.  The solo should give the performer the opportunity to demonstrate contrasting lyrical and technical passages.  Memorization, accompanists and duplicate music copies are not required.
• Each musician will also be given a short sight-reading example.
•  Prepared scales are a major component of the audition.  Musicians should demonstrate good tone, pitch and rhythm while performing each scale.  Memorization is preferred.  Scale requirements are listed below.

Repertory Orchestra (RO) – Major Scales – Memorization preferred
Violin: C, F, Bb, G, D       Perform all scales in at least 2 octaves
Viola: C, F, Bb, G, D        Perform all scales in at least 2 octaves
Cello: C, F, Bb, G, D         Perform all scales in at least 2 octaves
Bass: C, F, Bb, G, D Perform all scales in at least 1 octave

Woodwind and Brass: (In concert pitch) G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db
                                                Multiple octaves preferred when possible

Percussion:  Be prepared to audition in at least two of the following areas:
                   Mallets:  Solo, sight-reading and 7 scales listed above in 2 octaves
                   Timpani:  Solo, sight-reading and tuning
                   Snare:  Solo, sight-reading and the following rudiments:

• Long Roll (open-closed-open)
• Flams
• Paradiddles
• Flam accents
• Drags
• Lesson 25

Concert Orchestra (CO) – Major and Minor Scales
Perform all scales in at least 2 octaves, 3 octaves preferred when possible

Violin: C, F, Eb, A Major & e, d melodic minor 
Viola: F, Bb, A, Eb Major & a, g melodic minor
Cello: Bb, Eb, A Major & a, e melodic minor
Bass: F, A Major & a, e, g melodic minor (2 Octaves preferred)

Woodwind and Brass: All 12 major scales
                             Performance in multiple octaves preferred when possible

Percussion:  Be prepared to audition in at least two of the following areas:
                   Mallets:  Solo, sight-reading, 12 major scales in 2 octaves
                   Timpani:  Solo, sight-reading and tuning
                   Snare:  Solo, sight-reading and the following rudiments:

• Long Roll (open-closed-open)
• Single Stroke Roll
• Flam paradiddle
• Ratamacue
• Flam tap
• Drags
• 5 stroke rolls

Symphony Orchestra (SO) – Major and Minor Scales

Violin, Viola, and Cello: Perform all scales in 3 octaves
Bass: Perform all scales in 2 octaves
All Strings: C, F, Bb, G, D Major & a, d, g, e melodic minor
                       
Woodwind and Brass: All 12 major scales
                             Performance in multiple octaves preferred when possible

Percussion:  Be prepared to audition in at least two of the following areas:
                   Mallets:  Solo, sight-reading, 12 major scales in 2 octaves
                   Timpani:  Solo, sight-reading and tuning
                   Snare:  Solo, sight-reading and the following rudiments:

• Long Roll (open-closed-open)
• Single Stroke Roll
• 8 other standard rudiments of your choosing

Thank you for your interest in an audition with The Carolina Youth Symphony!

If you have any questions, please visit our contact page.