Auditions

Send in your application for the 2008-2009 Season! Click here to download the application brochure. (PDF/ 1.05MB)

Preparation

Auditions last about 10 minutes and are heard by the PYP conducting staff only. You must prepare the following:

One major and one minor scale with corresponding arpeggios in keys of your choice. Winds and brass 1-2 octaves, strings 2-3 octaves.
A short solo piece - (an Étude or excerpt from a concerto or sonata.) The solo piece need not be memorized but must be played without accompaniment. Percussionists should prepare a challenging snare drum study.
The audition will end with short sight-reading passages, provided by the conducting staff.

All applicants will be notified of the results of their audition by mail by the last week of August. Please do not call the PYP office for results. Decisions of the conducting staff are final and non-appealable. If accepted into one of the orchestras, students will be sent enrollment information including information on annual season fees.

Fees:

There is a non-refundable audition fee of $25.

Season tuition fees are set by the Board of Directors in early spring and are non-refundable. Fees for 2006-07 are: Young String Ensemble or Wind Ensemble, $400; Conservatory Orchestra, $450; Philharmonic Orchestra, $500. Tuition for second semester entrants (after January 1st) is 60% of annual tuition. Financial aid is available for those who apply and qualify.

Age Requirements:

Auditioning string players must be at least 7 years old; wind, brass, and percussion players need to have played their instrument for at least 1 year. No one over 22 years old will be auditioned.

Other Requirements:

All orchestra members are required to participate in school music programs, when such programs exist. By participating in a school music program you benefit by playing every day, becoming a better sight-reader, and playing an important part in helping to build meaningful music programs in your schools and communities.