Audition with CYS

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

The 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.

Auditions for the 2012-2013 Season will be held on May 19 and 26, 2012 at the Furman University Daniel Music Building. Download audition requirement information and the application form using one of the links below.

• Audition application in WORD 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.
• A short sight-reading example. String players only: Sight reading material will be provided to the string musicians 20 minutes in advance of their scheduled audition.
•  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 Scale and Percussion Requirements
Strings: C, F, Bb, G, D Major. Perform all scales in at least 2 octaves- 1 octave for bass
Woodwind and Brass: (In concert pitch) G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db
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:
        a.   Long Roll (open-closed-open)
        b.   Flams
        c.   Paradiddles
        d.   Flam accents
        e.   Drags
        f.   Lesson 25

Concert Orchestra Scale and Percussion Requirements
Students auditioning at the CO level are expected to have mastered the requirements for the RO orchestra and should be able to demonstrate competency of those requirements in addition to the following CO requirements.

Strings: Major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats performed in 3 octaves (2 octaves for bass); a, d, e, and g melodic minor scales performed in at least 2 octaves (1 octave for bass)
Woodwind and Brass: All 12 major scales- 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:
        a.   Long Roll (open-closed-open)
        b.   Single Stroke Roll
        c.   Flam paradiddle
        d.   Ratamacue
        e.   Flam tap
        f.   Drags
        g.   5 stroke rolls

Symphony Orchestra Scale and Percussion Requirements
Students auditioning at the SO level are expected to have mastered the requirements for the RO and CO orchestras and should be able to demonstrate competency of those requirements in addition to the following SO requirements.

Strings: Major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats performed in 3 octaves (2 octaves for bass); a, d, e, and g melodic minor scales performed in 3 octaves (2 octave for bass)
Woodwind and Brass: All 12 major scales- 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:
        a.   Long Roll (open-closed-open)
        b.   Single Stroke Roll
        c.   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.