Audition Information

School Music Policy

Tuition & Financial Aid

Video Submission Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

Audition Excerpts

Questions? Email auditions@aypo.org

Audition applications and required video components per instrument are due:
May 1st, 2025

Please read the audition requirements below and familiarize yourself with your instrument and division’s specific requirements.

Audition Requirements:

1. Solo of your choice - Prepare a selection lasting no more than 3 minutes, as indicated in your audition excerpts.

   • Woodwinds: selection from a fast movement of a standard concerto or solo

   • Brass: from any movement of a standard concerto, solo, or etude

   SOLOS should be submitted as videos on your application for the following groups:
   Sr. Division Strings, Jr. Division Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, & Harp
   Solos will be performed in-person for:
   Piano
   No solo requirement for:
   Percussion

2. EXCERPTS will be submitted as a video link on the audition application for:
   Sr. Division Strings
   Excerpts will be performed at the in-person audition for:
   Jr. Division Strings, Symphonic Woodwinds/Brass, Harp, Piano, & Percussion

3. SIGHT-READING
   In-person - Junior String Division Applicants & Piano ONLY.
   More information on the format of this requirement will be coming soon!

No memorization is required. Piano accompaniment for solos is allowed, but not required.

Video audition submissions are due Thursday, May 1st, 2025.

Prelude strings (pS) Excerpts*

VIOLIN

VIOLA

CELLO

BASS

*Please note PS applicants are also required to perform a sight-reading audition. In-person audition sign-ups will be sent in May 2025.

Debut orchestra (DO) Excerpts*

VIOLIN

VIOLA

CELLO

BASS

*Please note DO applicants are also required to perform a sight-reading audition. In-person audition sign-ups will be sent in May 2025.

String Ensemble (SE) Excerpts*

VIOLIN

VIOLA

CELLO

BASS

*Please note SE applicants are also required to perform a sight-reading audition. In-person audition sign-ups will be sent in May 2025.

Concert Orchestra (CO) Excerpts

*Some CO Brass will not be released until Wednesday, February 26

*Please note CO STRING applicants are also required to perform a sight-reading audition. In-person audition sign-upswill be sent in May 2025.

Sinfonietta Excerpts

Artistic staff highly recommend listening to recordings of the excerpt pieces.

VIOLIN

VIOLA

CELLO

BASS

Sr. Division String Excerpts and solos are both due on May 1st, 2025 upon submission of the Audition Application.

Symphonic Orchestra (SO) STRING Excerpts

Artistic staff highly recommend listening to recordings of the excerpt pieces. Please review the excerpts in their entirety.

VIOLIN

VIOLA

CELLO

BASS

Sr. Division String Excerpts and solos are both due on May 1st, 2025 upon submission of the Audition Application.

Philharmonic (AYP) STRING Excerpts

Artistic staff highly recommend listening to recordings of the excerpt pieces. Please review the excerpts in their entirety.

VIOLIN

VIOLA

CELLO

BASS

Sr. Division String Excerpts and solos are both due on May 1st, 2025 upon submission of the Audition Application.

SO/AYP Woodwind & Brass Excerpts

Artistic staff highly recommend listening to recordings of the excerpt pieces.

If you are auditioning on your primary instrument and an auxiliary instrument, e.g. flute and optional piccolo, you are able to take a break between recordings.

Orchestral woodwinds and brass will include their solo video link upon submission of their Audition Application due on May 1st, 2025. Excerpts will be performed at in-person auditions to take place in early June.

Percussion Excerpts & Requirements

Please note that Percussion auditions will be in-person in early June.

Please follow the guides in the excerpt sheet to audition for a Jr. Orchestra (CO, SE, DO - Open to 9th Graders and Younger) or Sr. Orchestra (AYP, SO, Sinfonietta - Open to 9th Graders and Older).

Percussion Excerpts

Piano Excerpts

Please note that Piano auditions will be in-person in early June.

Please prepare the excerpts for your chosen division.

Sr. Division Symphonic Piano Excerpts
Jr. Division Symphonic Piano Excerpts

Harp Excerpts

Symphonic Harp* & Harp Ensemble
Those wishing to audition for Symphonic Harp & Harp Ensemble should prepare:
1. One scale of your choosing, 2 octaves,
hands doubled at the octave
2. Please prepare a solo that best represents your playing level/skills. 

Symphonic Harp Excerpts

*Symphonic Harps perform with the Concert Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra, and Philharmonic only.

Harp Ensemble
Those wishing to audition for just the Harp Ensemble should prepare:
1. One scale of your choosing, 2 octaves,
hands doubled at the octave.
2. Please prepare a solo that best represents your playing level/skills. 

All harpists should include their solo and excerpt video links upon submission of the Audition Application due on May 1st, 2025.

Flute Ensemble Requirements

All current members are automatically accepted into Flute Ensemble next season upon submission of the standard audition application. Those wishing to audition for Flute Ensemble should prepare the following excerpts and a 5-minute solo piece of their choice:

Required Excerpts

Clarinet Ensemble Requirements

Those wishing to audition for Clarinet Ensemble should prepare the following excerpts, a chromatic scale (slurred up, tongue down) from low E to altissimo G, and scales up to five flats & five sharps.

Required Excerpts

SIGHT-READING REQUIREMENTS

All musicians auditioning for the Junior String Division (PS, DO, SE, & CO) & ALL Piano must complete a sight-reading audition. In May 2025, you will receive an email that will prompt you to sign up for a sight-reading and excerpts audition time slot. If you cannot make any of your instrument’s allotted sight-reading time slots, please email auditions@aypo.org.

Questions? Email auditions@aypo.org