Auditions
Auditions
Join the Carolina Youth Symphony
CYS had its beginnings in 1955 when Greenville music-lover Miss Rita May Baker founded what she called, “The Little Symphony.” The start of group of young musicians supported by the Crescent Music Club and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. The group expanded each year both in numbers and performances. In 1976 the Crescent Youth symphony became Carolina Youth Symphony, an independent, non-profit regional youth orchestra.
As one of the premiere youth orchestras in the southeast and one of the oldest, consisting of over 210 gifted musicians from two states, 32 cities, 73 schools and four orchestras of varying levels of difficulty, we can meet the musical needs of talented youth from the Upstate and Western North Carolina. Our Symphony Orchestra returned April 2023 for an unprecedented 8th performance in Carnegie Hall, NYC and is making plans to return in 2026.
For more than 20 seasons, the CYS has opened its year with a weekend at summer camp. The weekend at camp has become a vital part of the CYS experience, offering the students a chance to become acquainted and develop friendships.
2025-2026 SEASON
Audition Dates
Audition Dates will be May 11 and May 18, 2025. Auditions will be held in the Daniel Music Building on the Furman University Campus.
Auditions after June 2024 for the 2025-26 season will be by video submission, as needed.
If you are new to CYS, please fill out the Audition Application above. Once CYS has your completed application, you will be sent directions on completing your audition.
Please review CYS Audition Guidelines (applies to SO, CO, and RO only).
Below are the Audition Excerpts for each group. Please select the button for your audition group and then locate your instrument in the packet.
Symphony Orchestra
Concert Orchestra
Repertory Orchestra
Preparatory String Orchestra
JOIN CAROLINA YOUTH SYMPHONY
Audition Application
If you are interested in auditioning to become part of our program, please fill out the audition application below. The new member fee to audition for the Carolina Youth Symphony is $35. There is no fee for returning members auditioning to change orchestras.
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