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.
The staff currently consists of four conductors: Artistic Director and Conductor of the CYS Symphony Orchestra (SO), Conductor of the CYS Concert Orchestra (CO”), Conductor of the CYS Repertory Orchestra (RO), and Conductor of the CYS Preparatory String Orchestra (PSO). The conductors are supported or led by administrative staff Lee Elmore, Executive Director, and Bev Bresette, Assistant Director. Additionally, there are interns, support staff, sectional coaches, approximately 200-225 member musicians, and a supportive Board of Directors along with active parental support.
As one of the premiere youth orchestras in the southeast and one of the oldest, consisting of over 200 gifted musicians from 2 states, 35 cities, 70 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.
For more than 20 seasons, the CYS has opened its year with a weekend at summer camp. The weekend at camp has become vital part of the CYS experience, offering the students a chance to become acquainted and develop friendships.
If you are interested in auditioning to become part of our program, please fill out the audition application below. Auditions for the 2024-2025 season (SO, CO, RO) were held on Sunday, May 12, and Sunday, May 19, 2024. After June 2024, all auditions for the 2024-25 season will be by video submission as needed.
Since the 2024-25 CYS Season Auditions have been completed. Please contact us at carolinayouthsymphony@
The new member fee to audition for the Carolina Youth Symphony is $35. There is no fee for returning members auditioning to change orchestras.
Auditions for the 2025 Preparatory String Orchestra (PSO) are currently being held. If you want to join the PSO, please complete the PSO Audition Application for the 2025 PSO ensemble. Auditions for the 2024-25 CYS Preparatory String Orchestra (PSO) will be held in the Daniel Music Building on the Furman University Campus. Due to high demand, we are continuing to hold auditions. Once we receive your audition application, we will contact you to schedule an audition date and time.
PSO 2024-25 Audition Application PSO Audition PacketIf you are new to CYS, please fill out the Audition Application. Once CYS has your completed application, you will be sent directions on completing your audition.
Click here for more audition information 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.
