Register today to audition for our 2024-2025 Season!
Don’t miss this opportunity.
Register for an audition today!
Note: YOC & Preparatory Orchestra in person auditions for violin, viola, bass, brass, harp & percussion are closed. If you wish to audition for Sinfonia Strings (all instruments), Flute Choir, YOC/Prep winds or YOC/Prep cello – you may still register with link above. If you have missed your section’s audition please send an email to info@youthorchestrasofcharlotte.org. We will get in touch with you when we open our rolling auditions in May.
Click here for 24-25 Audition Dates
Information about the YOC and the audition
requirements for all ensembles listed below.
Questions? Email info@youthorchestrasofcharlotte.org
Printable YOC audition brochure
The Youth Orchestras of Charlotte is dedicated to nurturing the musical talents of youth in the greater Charlotte area. We strive to instill life-long values of teamwork, responsibility, commitment, community, problem-solving, creativity and cultural appreciation in our students from all social and economic backgrounds. As a beacon of artistic excellence, we develop and inspire the next generation of leaders through the study and performance of chamber and symphonic music.
Benefits of Membership:
- Being part of a community of musicians that shares a passion for music making and challenging repertoire
- Masterclasses with nationally recognized guest artists, such as David Kim (Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra), Amadi Azikiwi and university professors
- Perform with guest soloists
- Guest performances by nationally recognized ensembles, such as Heifetz on Tour
- Our ensembles are led and coached by a team of musicians of the Charlotte Symphony and area music educators.
- Audition experiences
- Chamber music and community performance opportunities
- Travel opportunities in select years (i.e. Kennedy Center Performance in 2020)
- Opportunities to be a featured student soloist
- Advancement and leadership opportunities within the ensembles
- Retreats and social events throughout the season
Auditions are held annually for both new and current members. Acceptance and placement is a competitive, merit-based process in which each musician must meet requirements for consideration.
Submit the on-line audition application with the non-refundable $30 audition fee by the deadline.
Note: We do hold mid-year auditions for each ensemble. If you are interested in joining the YOC, please send a request for an audition to info@youthorchestrasofcharlotte.org
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Youth Orchestra of Charlotte
A full symphony orchestra made up of high school age musicians, performing masterpieces from the orchestral repertoire in a professional symphony setting.
For students in grades 8-12
Tuition fee: TBD – last season was $725 (Tuition Assistance is available)
Rehearsals: Mondays, 5:45-8:15pm at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (August-May)
In addition to the requirements listed, all applicants will be asked to do sightreading as part of their audition.
Violin
Solo: Prepare a solo of your choice that best demonstrates your ability; level of at least a Beethoven Romance or Mozart Concerto.
Excerpt: violin audition excerpts
Viola
Solo: Hoffmeister Concerto in D, or two contrasting movements from Bach’s Cello Suites, or a piece that shows off your best ability.
Excerpt: viola audition excerpts
Cello
Solo: Prepare a solo of your choice that best demonstrates your ability; should include elements of thumb position.
Excerpt: cello audition excerpts
Bass
Solo: The solo is applicant’s choice and should be of a technical level similar to that required for Western Regional auditions such as J.S. Bach – Gavotte or Franz Simandl – Etude #17
Excerpt: Mozart 25
ALL WOODWINDS:
- Chromatic scale as specified
- Required solo – no substitutions accepted – you must get your own music
- Required orchestral excerpts (on website – play parts within the brackets)
- Sight-reading
If you play and have access to a piccolo, English horn, or bass clarinet and would like to be considered for these positions you must play the specific excerpt listed on the website.
Flute/Piccolo
Three octave chromatic scale from low C
Required solo: W. A. Mozart Concerto No. 1 in G major, K. 313 for flute and piano, mvmt. I: mm. 31-91 inclusive; mvmt. II: pick-up to m. 11 to end of m. 27.
Orchestral excerpt (on website): play bracketed 1st flute solo excerpt from Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E minor mvmt. IV
Play the bracketed piccolo excerpts (Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique mvmt. V AND Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 “March”) if you would like to also be considered for piccolo.
Oboe/English Horn
Chromatic scale from low C to high E-flat (three ledger lines above staff)
Required solo: Cimarosa Concerto for Oboe and Strings (oboe and piano version), mvmt. I: beginning to beat 4 of m. 13; mvmt. II: complete, no repeats.
Orchestral Excerpt (on website): play bracketed parts in Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 mvmt. III
Play the bracketed English horn excerpts (de Falla Three Cornered Hat and Kalinnikov First Symphonie, mvmt. II) if you would like to also be considered for English horn.
Clarinet/Bass Clarinet
Chromatic scale from low E to high G (four ledger lines above staff)
Required solo: Karl Stamitz Concerto No. 3 in Bb major for clarinet and piano mvmt I: mm 48–134; mvmt. II: pick-up to m. 17 to fermata in m. 32.
Orchestral Excerpt (on website): play bracketed 1st clarinet parts Scherzo from Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream
Play the bracketed bass clarinet excerpt (Tchaikovsky’s Manfred, Symphony after Byron) if you would like to also be considered for bass clarinet.
Bassoon
Three octave chromatic scale from low B-flat to high C
Required solo: Julius Weissenborn Fifty Advanced Studies, Op. 8, vol. II #21: beginning to m. 27 inclusive and #38: complete, no repeats or D.C.
Orchestral excerpt: play bracketed 1st bassoon solo from from Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
For all brass solos, please prepare the “B” ending.
In addition to the requirements listed, all applicants will be asked to do sightreading as part of their audition.
Horn
Chromatic scale of choice
Click here for audition solos and excerpt
Trumpet
Chromatic scale of choice
Click here for audition solos and excerpt
Trombone
Chromatic scale of choice
Click here for audition solos and excerpt
Tuba
Chromatic scale of choice
In addition to the requirements listed, all applicants will be asked to do sightreading as part of their audition.
Harp
Solo: A solo of candidate’s choice demonstrating their ability on the harp.
Excerpt: Harp audition excerpt – Waltz of the Flowers cadenza
Percussion
All percussionists need to prepare:
- Solo: 1 Snare AND 1 Timpani solo of your choice. You must bring copies of your solos for the judges.
- Scales: Ab and G major scales (2 octaves), C and G natural minor scales (2 octaves)
- In addition: a 30 second roll going from ppp – fff – ppp on snare drum and timpani, tuning exercise on timpani (be prepared to tune pitches by ear – may use a tuning fork or pitch pipe)
Preparatory Orchestra
A full symphony orchestra that performs both actual symphonic literature and arrangements of the repertoire geared to advanced younger players. It is a training orchestra for the YOC.
For students in grades 5-9
Tuition fee: TBD – last season was $675 (Financial Aid is available)
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 2:30-4:30pm at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (September-May)
In addition to the requirements listed, all applicants will be asked to do sightreading as part of their audition.
Violin
Solo: A solo of the applicant’s choice demonstrating their ability on the instrument; difficulty level of at least Vivaldi a minor Concerto, 1st movement, or higher.
Scales: D Major, a minor. (2 octaves required. 3 preferred)
Excerpt: violin audition excerpt
Viola
Solo: A piece of your choice that best represents your ability; difficulty level of at least Suzuki books 3 or higher.
Scales: C,D, and E flat major; C and D minor
Excerpt: viola audition excerpt
Cello
Solo: A solo of the applicant’s choice demonstrating their ability on the instrument; similar in difficulty to Marcello Sonata in e minor, or at least Suzuki book 3 or higher.
Scales: D major (2 octaves required, 3 preferred); G melodic minor scale (2 octaves)
Excerpt: Cello audition excerpt
Bass
Solo: A movement or section from a Vivaldi or Marcelo Sonata or a piece similar in difficulty to atleast Suzuki book 2 or higher.
Scales: E and G major 2 octaves
Excerpt: bass audition excerpt
In addition to the requirements listed, all applicants will be asked to do sightreading as part of their audition.
Scales: see scale sheet links
French Horn – D (1 octave) F (2 octave), chromatic
Trumpet – G (2 octave), F (1 octave), chromatic
Trombone – G (1 octave), F (2 octave), chromatic
Tuba – G (1 octave), F (2 octave), chromatic
Solo: Prepare a short solo of your choice that best demonstrates your ability.
Excerpts: Prepare the following excerpt for your instrument.
In addition to the requirements listed, all applicants will be asked to do sightreading as part of their audition.
Harp
Solo: Prepare a solo of your choice that demonstrates your ability.
Excerpt: Intermezzo from Bizet Carmen Suite No. 1 (beginning to downbeat of A)
Percussion
All percussionists need to prepare:
- Solo: Snare solo of your choice. You must bring a copy of your solo for the judges.
- Scales: A & Eb major (1 octave)
- In addition: a 30 second roll going from ppp – fff – ppp on snare drum and timpani, tuning exercise on timpani (be prepared to tune pitches by ear – may use a tuning fork or pitch pipe)
Sinfonia Strings
A string orchestra that prepares young musicians in the art of orchestral performance.
For students in grades 3-8
Tuition fee: TBD – last season was $650 (Financial Aid is available)
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 12:00-2:00pm at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (September-May)
In addition to the requirements listed, all applicants will be asked to do sightreading as part of their audition.
Scales: A and D Major 2 Octaves (slur 4, no arpeggios)
Solo: A solo of candidate’s choice demonstrating their ability on the instrument; difficulty level of at least books 2-3 of Suzuki books, showing shifting into positions
Excerpt: Violin Sinfonia Excerpt
In addition to the requirements listed, all applicants will be asked to do sightreading as part of their audition.
Scales: D and G major 2 Octave (slur 4, no arpeggios)
Solo: solo of choice that demonstrates your ability on the instrument but a level of at least Suzuki 2-3.
Excerpt: Viola Sinfonia Excerpt
In addition to the requirements listed, all applicants will be asked to do sightreading as part of their audition.
Scales: D and G Major 2 Octaves (slur 4, no arpeggios)
Solo: solo of choice that demonstrates your ability on the instrument but a level of at least Suzuki 2-3.
Excerpt: Cello Sinfonia Excerpt
In addition to the requirements listed, all applicants will be asked to do sightreading as part of their audition.
Scales: D Major 1 octaves, G Major 1 Octave (slur 4, no arpeggios)
Solo: solo of choice that demonstrates your ability on the instrument but a level of at least Suzuki 2-3.
Excerpt: Bass Sinfonia Excerpt
Flute Choir
An ensemble that performs flute choir repertoire and explores a wide variety of musical genres.
For students in grades 8-12
Tuition fee: TBD – last season was $650 (Financial Aid is available)
Rehearsals: Mondays, 4:15-5:45pm at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (September – May)
In addition to the requirements listed, all applicants will be asked to do sightreading as part of their audition.
Flute/Piccolo
Three octave chromatic scale from low C
Required solo: G.P. Telemann Suite in A minor for flute and piano, No. I Overture: pick-up to m. 23-m. 60; No. II Les Plaisirs: beginning – m. 30, no repeats.
Orchestral excerpts: play bracketed solo 1st flute excerpt Menuet from Bizet’s L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2
Play the bracketed piccolo excerpt (Rossini La Gazza Ladra Overture) if you would like to also be considered for piccolo.
Audition FAQ
Auditions are not meant to stress you out! They are a necessary part of learning to become an accomplished musician. The judges want you to demonstrate what you can do. Prepare all of the requirements listed for your instrument/ensemble. The judges are listening for rhythmic accuracy, appropriate tempos, intonation, pitch accuracy, tone, musicality, and technical fluency.
To audition for any of the four ensembles of the Youth Orchestras of Charlotte, please complete the online registration form which includes a non-refundable $30 fee payment per audition. The registration should be completed at least seven (7) days prior to the scheduled audition date for the instrument. We will send audition day/time to the parent email address provided in the form below at least five (5) days in advance. Please make note of the day(s) for your instrument’s auditions (click for link to dates). Please use the comment section to let us know if you have a conflict with scheduled date.
Special note: If you are going into 9th grade, the recommendation would be to audition for the older orchestra (YOC) unless you feel more comfortable auditioning for the Preparatory Orchestra. If you audition for the YOC and are not offered a spot, you may be offered a position in the Preparatory Orchestra.
Students perform the required audition material for a panel of judges.
Information about audition results will be sent out via email 2-3 weeks after the last audition day. If placed in one of our ensembles, be sure to complete the online acceptance packet in order to accept your position.
In order to ensure students of all financial means have the ability to participate; the YOC offers tuition assistance to musicians with demonstrated need. Families can request a financial assistance application upon acceptance into the program. No qualifying student will be turned away from the YOC because of an inability to pay tuition.
