Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras Registration
Update: Accepting virtual Auditions on a rolling basis
CSYO and CSYP Audition Registration for the 2023-24 season is now open
For more info please contact CSYO@charlottesymphony.org
We are still accepting auditions on a rolling basis
Positions we are actively looking for: Brass, Oboe, Bassoon, Percussion, and Bass
CSYO/CSYP Audition REGISTRATION
CSYE does not require an audition
CSYE Registration is open for the FALL of 2023
CSYE 2023-24 FALL REGISTRATION
If you have any questions about our Youth Orchestras please contact us at
CSYO@charlottesymphony.org
Positions we are actively looking for: Brass, Oboe, Bassoon, Percussion, and Bass
CSYO/CSYP Audition REGISTRATION
CSYE does not require an audition
CSYE Registration is open for the FALL of 2023
CSYE 2023-24 FALL REGISTRATION
If you have any questions about our Youth Orchestras please contact us at
CSYO@charlottesymphony.org
Frequently Asked Questions CSYE
| Do I have to Audition for Charlotte Symphony Youth Ensemble? |
| No, as part of our mission to make music more accessible to Charlotte this ensemble is open to everyone without audition. Auditions are required for entry into our intermediate(CSYP) and advanced (CSYO) groups. |
| How much experience should I have to join CSYE? |
| Musicians should have the fundamentals learned so that they can get the most out of group ensemble instruction. We recommend our String musicians to have progressed to at least Suzaki book 2 or higher. For our winds and brass we recommend they have completed at least one year of instruction on their instrument. |
| Are there Financial AId Scholarships available? |
| Yes. We offer Financial Aid for families needing assistance as part of our organizations goals of exceptional music enrichment and learning, through innovative programming that is accessible and valuable to all. If you want to play music with us we will work with you. |
| When do rehearsals begin for CSYE? Where are rehearsals held for CSYE? |
| Rehearsals will be held on Saturdays beginning in October and run throughout the school year. |
| How much will CSYE tuition be for this season? |
| Our Tuition for this season will be $475 with Financial Aid available to those in need. |
Frequently Asked Questions CSYO/CSYP/CSYE
| How do I sign up for auditions? |
| Click on the Registration Link above and fill out the form. |
| Are returning students guaranteed a spot in the 2023-2024 CSYO/CSYP program? |
| As the city of Charlotte continues to grow in population, more talented musicians arrive every day with their families. In order to provide equal opportunity & access to the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra program, previous members of CSYO/CSYP must re-audition in Spring 2023 to earn their seat in the orchestra again. |
| If a student is unsuccessful in auditioning into the CSYO, will they automatically be offered a spot in the CSYP or CSYE? |
| Yes, on the conditions of available space and whether it is pedagogically appropriate to the skill level of that student. |
| When will results be announced? |
| You will receive an email within a month of your audition. The email will let you know if you have been accepted, declined, or if you have been put on our wait list. |
| Who will be judging the auditions? |
| Our conductor staff will be judging the auditions. |
| When/where are rehearsals? |
| The youth orchestra (CSYO) rehearses on Monday evenings from 5:45-8:15pm at Park Road Baptist Church. The youth philharmonic(CSYP) rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 5:45-7:30pm at Park Road Baptist Church. The youth ensemble rehearses on Saturday, afternoons from 1:30-3:00pm at First Baptist Church-West. |
| Will we have in person rehearsals? |
| Yes, we are committed to providing the best possible orchestral instruction to our CSYO family, and holding in-person rehearsals are a fundamental part of that commitment. |
2023-2024 CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Video Submission guidelines for CSYO
- Submit one video-recording of two different prepared solos listed below.
- Each solo should be a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 4 minutes. If you have prepared a piece that is just under 2 minutes in its entirety, that is acceptable.
Sight Reading and Scales Submission Guidelines for CSYO
- After you have submitted your Solo piece Audition Materials, you will receive further communication from us regarding requirements for your Sight Reading and Scales video in addition to the date and time to submit. Please see your specific instrument for which scales and arpeggios you should be prepared to play from. You will not be asked to perform all the scales and arpeggios listed.
ALL WOODWINDS
- Sight reading
- Two contrasting solos of your choice showing your abilities and range. Your solos should not be ensemble music. For example, do not use music from your school orchestra or band class as a solo. Please let us know if you need a recommendation for solo music.
- All major scales and arpeggios, minimum of two octaves, plus instrument-specific scales as designated below
If you play and have access to a piccolo, English horn, or bass clarinet and would like to be considered for these positions, please prepare a short selection of your choice for your audition.
Flute
Three octave chromatic scale from low C
Oboe
Chromatic scale from low C to high E-flat (three ledger lines above staff)
Clarinet
Chromatic scale from low E to high G (four ledger lines above staff)
Bassoon
Three octave chromatic scale from low B-flat
Flute
Three octave chromatic scale from low C
Oboe
Chromatic scale from low C to high E-flat (three ledger lines above staff)
Clarinet
Chromatic scale from low E to high G (four ledger lines above staff)
Bassoon
Three octave chromatic scale from low B-flat
ALL BRASS
- All major scales and chromatic scale of applicant's choice
- Two contrasting solos of your choice showing your abilities and range. Your solos should not be ensemble music. For example, do not use music from your school orchestra or band class as a solo. Please let us know if you need a recommendation for solo music.
- Sight reading
ALL STRINGS
- Sight reading
- Two contrasting solos of your choice showing your abilities and range. Your solos should not be ensemble music. For example, do not use music from your school orchestra or band class as a solo. Please let us know if you need a recommendation for solo music.
- Scales from memory as designated below
Violin
C, G, D, A, B-flat major 3 octaves; F major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 3 octaves. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Viola
C, G, D, F major 3 octaves; A, B-flat major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 3 octaves. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Cello
C, G, D, F major 3 octaves; A, B-flat major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 3 octaves. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Bass
C, D, B-flat major 1 octave; F, G, A major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 2 octaves. Slur scales 2 notes per bow.
Harp
All major scales and arpeggios
C, G, D, A, B-flat major 3 octaves; F major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 3 octaves. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Viola
C, G, D, F major 3 octaves; A, B-flat major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 3 octaves. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Cello
C, G, D, F major 3 octaves; A, B-flat major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 3 octaves. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Bass
C, D, B-flat major 1 octave; F, G, A major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 2 octaves. Slur scales 2 notes per bow.
Harp
All major scales and arpeggios
PERCUSSION
Percussion audition requirements are in alignment with CMS All District Band Requirements.
***We understand access to certain percussion instruments may have changed as a result of space restrictions from Covid-19. Please contact CSYO staff if this is the case for acceptable alternatives.
Snare
Rudimental Long Roll: (Open-Closed-Open)
Orchestral (Buzz) Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)
Flam: (Open-Closed-Open)
Single Paradiddle: (Open-Closed-Open)
Mallets
Scales - 2 Octave Plus Arpeggio
Major Scales: G, C, F, B-Flat, E-Flat, A-Flat, D-Flat
Chromatic Scale: C - Two octaves
Timpani
Single Stroke Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)
Interval Tuning: 3rds, 4ths, 5ths
-AND-
Please prepare a solo of your choice for two out of the three instruments. Your solos should not be ensemble music. For example, do not use music from your school orchestra or band class as a solo. Please let us know if you need a recommendation for solo music.
***We understand access to certain percussion instruments may have changed as a result of space restrictions from Covid-19. Please contact CSYO staff if this is the case for acceptable alternatives.
Snare
Rudimental Long Roll: (Open-Closed-Open)
Orchestral (Buzz) Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)
Flam: (Open-Closed-Open)
Single Paradiddle: (Open-Closed-Open)
Mallets
Scales - 2 Octave Plus Arpeggio
Major Scales: G, C, F, B-Flat, E-Flat, A-Flat, D-Flat
Chromatic Scale: C - Two octaves
Timpani
Single Stroke Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)
Interval Tuning: 3rds, 4ths, 5ths
-AND-
Please prepare a solo of your choice for two out of the three instruments. Your solos should not be ensemble music. For example, do not use music from your school orchestra or band class as a solo. Please let us know if you need a recommendation for solo music.
2023-24 CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY YOUTH PHILHARMONIC AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Video Submission guidelines for CSYP
- Submit one video-recording of two different prepared solos listed below.
- Each solo should be a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 4 minutes. If you have prepared a piece that is just under 2 minutes in its entirety, that is acceptable.
Sight Reading and Scales Submission Guidelines for CSYP
- After you have submitted your Solo piece Audition Materials, you will receive further communication from us regarding requirements for your Sight Reading and Scales video in addition to the date and time to submit. Please see your specific instrument for which scales and arpeggios you should be prepared to play from. You will not be asked to perform all the scales and arpeggios listed.
ALL INSTRUMENTS
- Sight reading
- Two contrasting solos of your choice showing your abilities and range. Your solos should not be ensemble music. For example, do not use music from your school orchestra or band class as a solo. Please let us know if you need a recommendation for solo music.
- Scales as designated below
**Violins, please see below for additional requirements for choosing your solos.
SCALES
Flutes and Clarinets
Major scales of one or two octaves (two octaves preferred) from the following: C, Bb, F, Eb, G, D, A, and a chromatic scale.
Oboes, Bassoons, and Brass
Major scales of one octave from the following: C, Bb, F, Eb, G, D, A, and a chromatic scale.
Violin
Two contrasting solos of your choice with a difficulty rating equivalent to Suzuki book 3 or above.
Perform all scales from memory:
C, G, D major 2 octaves; F major 1 octave; any melodic minor of the student's choice 1 octave. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Viola
Perform all scales from memory:
C, G, D major 2 octaves; F major 1 octave; any melodic minor of the student's choice 1 octave. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Cello
Perform all scales from memory:
C, G, D major 2 octaves; F major 1 octave; any melodic minor of the student's choice 1 octave. Slur scales 4 notes per bow.
Bass
Perform all scales from memory:
C, D, F major 1 octave; G major 2 octaves; any melodic minor of the student's choice 1 octave. Slur scales 2 notes per bow.
Harp
All major scales and arpeggios.
PERCUSSION
Percussion audition requirements are in alignment with CMS All District Band Requirements.
***We understand access to certain percussion instruments may have changed as a result of space restrictions from Covid-19. Please contact CSYO staff if this is the case for acceptable alternatives.
Snare
Rudimental Long Roll: (Open-Closed-Open)
Orchestral (Buzz) Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)
Mallets
Scales - 1 Octave Plus Arpeggio
Major Scales: C, F, B-Flat, E-Flat
Chromatic Scale: C - Two octaves
Timpani
Single Stroke Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)
Interval Tuning: 3rds, 4ths, 5ths
-AND-
Please prepare a solo of your choice for two out of the three instruments. Your solos should not be ensemble music. For example, do not use music from your school orchestra or band class as a solo. Please let us know if you need a recommendation for solo music.
***We understand access to certain percussion instruments may have changed as a result of space restrictions from Covid-19. Please contact CSYO staff if this is the case for acceptable alternatives.
Snare
Rudimental Long Roll: (Open-Closed-Open)
Orchestral (Buzz) Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)
Mallets
Scales - 1 Octave Plus Arpeggio
Major Scales: C, F, B-Flat, E-Flat
Chromatic Scale: C - Two octaves
Timpani
Single Stroke Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)
Interval Tuning: 3rds, 4ths, 5ths
-AND-
Please prepare a solo of your choice for two out of the three instruments. Your solos should not be ensemble music. For example, do not use music from your school orchestra or band class as a solo. Please let us know if you need a recommendation for solo music.
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