PLEASE REVIEW ALL AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH ORCHESTRA.
STUDENTS ARE RECOMMENDED TO CHOOSE WHICH ORCHESTRA FOR WHICH THEY WISH TO AUDITION BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS.
PHILADELPHIA YOUTH ORCHESTRA (PYO) REQUIREMENTS
- Auditions are open to student string, wind, brass, percussion and harp players.
- The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) accepts students ages 14 through 21.
- String performers should play 1) their own selection from the solo repertoire, 2) scales in three octaves, détaché, at various tempi and in ALL major and minor keys, and 3) the following required orchestral excerpts. Please download the required excerpts:
- Wind, Brass, and Percussion performers should play 1) their own selection from the solo repertoire, 2) the following required orchestral excerpts. Please download the required excerpts:
- Harpists should play 1) their own selection from the solo repertoire, 2) two contrasting orchestral excerpts of their choice.
- Pianists should play 1) their own selection from the solo repertoire, 2) select scales and arpeggios in major and minor keys, 3) the following required orchestra excerpts.
- Flutes should be able to play or be willing to learn to play piccolo. If the student does play piccolo, please bring the instrument to the audition, and be prepared to play the provided excerpts.
- Oboes should play or be willing to learn to play English horn. If the student does play English horn, please bring the instrument to the audition, and be prepared to play the provided excerpts.
- Clarinets must own B-flat and A clarinets and be able to play or be willing to learn to play bass clarinet.
- Bassoons should play or be willing to learn to play contrabassoon.
- Horns must be able to transpose.
- Trumpets must own B-flat and C trumpets and be able to transpose.
- Trombones should be able to read bass clef and tenor clef, and be willing to learn to read alto clef.
- Percussionists must play timpani, snare drums, cymbals and should play xylophone.
In addition:
- Auditions are open to student string, wind, brass, percussion and harp players.
- The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYAO) accepts students ages 11 through 18.
- String performers should play 1) their own selection from the solo repertoire, 2) scales in three octaves, détaché, at various tempi and in major and minor keys, and 3) the following required orchestral excerpts. Please download the required excerpts:
- Wind, Brass, and Percussion performers should play 1) their own selection from the solo repertoire, 2) the following required orchestral excerpts. Please download the required excerpts:
- Flute
- Oboe
- Clarinet
- Bassoon
- Horn
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Tuba – Please contact the PYO office
- Timpani / Percussion
- Harp performers should play 1) their own selection from the solo repertoire, 2) two contrasting orchestral excerpts of their choice.
- Flutes should be able to play or be willing to learn to play piccolo. If the student does play piccolo, please bring the instrument to the audition, and be prepared to play at least one orchestral excerpt of your choice.
- Oboes should play or be willing to learn to play English horn. If the student does play English horn, please bring the instrument to the audition, and be prepared to play at least one orchestral excerpt of your choice.
- Clarinets should own B-flat and A clarinets and be able to play or be willing to learn to play bass clarinet.
- Bassoons should play or be willing to learn to play contrabassoon.
- Horns should have begun learning to transpose.
- Trumpets should own B-flat and C trumpets and be able to transpose.
- Trombones should be able to read bass clef and tenor clef, and be willing to learn to read alto clef.
- Percussionists must play timpani, snare drums, and cymbals.
In addition:
Annual tuition for the 2012-2013 season is TBD. A non-refundable $375.00 deposit is due at the time an accepted student registers for the PYO program. Tuition balance is due by the first rehearsal of the concert season.
Tuition remission is available for those accepted students who demonstrate financial need. Applications are available upon request. Please contact the PYO office at info@pyos.org or 215.545.0502 for more information.
2012-2013 Season Audition Dates
PYO / PYAO Audition Dates
- May 26, 2012 – strings and harp
- June 2, 2012 – strings and harp
- June 3, 2012 – winds, brass, percussion
Faculty Adjudicators
Louis Scaglione, Music Director & Conductor
Geoffrey McDonald, Artistic Coordinator & Conductor, PYAO
Gloria dePasquale, Co-Artistic Advisor & Faculty
William dePasquale, Co-Artistic Advisor & Faculty
Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion
Faculty Adjudicators
Louis Scaglione, Music Director & Conductor
Geoffrey McDonald, Artistic Coordinator & Conductor, PYAO
Paul Bryan, Artistic Coordinator & Conductor, Bravo Brass
Location
Saint Patrick Hall
240 S. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Directions
To schedule an audition:
Step 1: Please complete the online registration form. Contact the office only if you are unable to register online due to technical reasons at info@pyos.org or 215.545.0502.
Step 2: Everyone who auditions is required to print a PYO/PYAO Audition Form, complete it, and bring it to the audition. Click here to download the form (PDF File).
Auditions are by appointment only. If you have any questions, please contact the PYO office at info@pyos.org or 215.545.0502.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I receive a confirmation of my audition appointment?
After registering online, the audition coordinator will contact you to confirm your appointment time via email. Please make a record of this notification, as it will be your only one. If you are unable to keep your appointment, promptly notify the PYO office.
Will I need an accompanist?
No. The repertoire that you select will be performed without accompaniment.
How long will the audition be?
Auditions vary in length from 5-10 minutes. The length of your audition bears no reflection on whether you may be accepted into the orchestras.
What should I wear?
Dress as you would for a professional audition or job interview.
When will I hear if I have been accepted?
Students are notified of their acceptance within 1-2 weeks of auditions and receive a registration package via email. Students who are not accepted receive a notice in the mail. If you have not heard from the PYO office after two weeks, please call the office.