Health & Safety updates from your Charlotte Symphony >> CLICK HERE

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 


Frequently Asked Questions CSYE

 

Frequently Asked Questions CSYO/CSYP/CSYE


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

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

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.

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.