Apply to audition here!

Audition excerpts for the 2019-2020 season are currently in preparation, and will be posted no later than April 1.

• Spring Auditions for Preparatory Orchestra and Concert Orchestra Strings will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2019. Students wishing to audition for both Prep and Concert Orchestra should audition on this day.
• Spring Auditions for all Winds and Brass and Concert and Youth Symphony Strings will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2019. Strings wishing to audition for both Concert and Youth Symphony should audition on this day.
• If special and unavoidable circumstances prevent you from being able to audition according to the schedule above, please contact the Executive Director at execdir@ciys.org to make alternative arrangements to audition. ​

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Strings for Youth Symphony, Concert Orchestra and Preparatory Orchestra
​Violin
Viola
Cello
Bass
Harp​

​Woodwinds for Youth Symphony & Concert Orchestra
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Bassoon

Brass for Youth Symphony & Concert Orchestra ​
​French Horn
Trumpet
Trombone
Tuba

Percussion for Youth Symphony, Concert Orchestra and/or Percussion Ensemble
​Snare Drum
Mallets
Timpani

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Entry Auditions (Primarily Spring auditions for the following season but Fall auditions can be scheduled)

• All students are required to audition for initial entrance into any YMI ensemble. Please complete an Audition Application and an audition will be scheduled. 

Returning Students

• All current YMI students who wish to move up to a more advanced ensemble are required to audition in the Spring for the following season.

Small Ensembles

• Small Ensembles also require an audition but can be paired with orchestra membership.  A separate audition may be necessary. Upon receiving your Audition Application you will be contacted to schedule your audition time. Small ensemble auditions will include only scales and a prepared solo, and no excerpt.

NEW AS OF SPRING, 2019:

• Current YMI students who wish to remain in their current ensemble during the following season may be eligible for renewal without auditioning, provided they are in “good standing“, as described below.
• (Note: seating hearings are required of all CICO and YS students prior to the start of the season. These hearings are heard by the orchestra’s conductor.)

YMI students are eligible for renewal of membership in their current orchestra for the following season without an entry audition, if nominated by their conductor and approved by Music Director and Executive Director. The conductor’s nomination will be based on the student’s standing as of April 1. Students exempted from entry auditions for the following season will be notified by April 15*.
Criteria for good standing are:

• Attendance according to policy (max 3 or conductor override per semester)
  • No last-minute notices of planned absences
  • No unexcused absences
  • Timely arrivals
• Clear evidence of effective practice and preparation, as measured by
  • Progress on and successful performance of assigned parts, in
    • Rehearsal
    • Concert
• Good attitude in rehearsal
  • Attentive
  • Engaged
  • Respectful of rehearsal space
• Positive & respectful relationships with others at YMI:
  • Fellow students
  • YMI Staff
  • Conductors

*Please note that a student losing “good standing” status between April 15th and the final concert of the season for any reason may be required to re-audition.
*Entry auditions are required for students in good standing who wish to move up in ensemble for the following season (e.g., from CICO to YS). All CICO and YS students participate in seating hearings in August.​

Audition Requirements:
All students who audition will need to indicate on their application form the orchestra and/or small ensemble they would like to join and prepare the following:

1. Solo of your choice (approximately 2 minutes in length)
2. Scales as indicated for your instrument and chosen orchestra
3. An excerpt for your chosen orchestra. Conductors are looking for a limited time frame to learn and play the piece, not memorize it
4. A brief sight-reading excerpt may be included for your audition.
5. Students auditioning for a small ensemble only should bring a prepared solo and scales for Concert Orchestra or Youth Symphony, to the best of your ability
6. Percussion students should prepare one snare, one timpani and one mallet piece from the provided excerpts in addition to the tambourine and triangle excerpt.   

​Note from Music Director David Commanday:  
Work hard to prepare for your audition, but don’t stress out too much – the judges, and all of us at the Central Illinois Youth Symphony are ON YOUR SIDE!  We look forward to hearing you!