2020-2021 Season
BYSO auditions are open to students entering grades K-12. Please follow the audition standards that most closely match your current level of playing. Candidates audition for BYSO – not a specific ensemble – and selected candidates will be placed in an orchestra based on level. Please note that due to the competitive nature of auditions, placement is not guaranteed, and BYSO members must re-audition each year.
Thank you for your interest in the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras! Please read below carefully for information about the 2020-2021 BYSO audition process.
Due to the current pandemic, following the submission of the application and application fee all applicants (both new and current) will be asked to submit a final round audition video to determine eligibility for the 2020-2021 season. Live auditions will no longer take place for any applicant.
Click on the links below for your instrument’s audition standards and excerpts (if required). Videos must be recorded without accompaniment. Videos can be uploaded to your Acceptd portal following submission of the audition application. Specific instructions detailing how videos must be submitted online, along with video FAQs, can be found within your audition standards below.
Final audition videos must be submitted by Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 11:59pm.
Violin Candidates
BYS/REP Level
- technical facility in all positions
- previous ensemble experience
JRO Level
- technical facility through five positions
- well-developed tone quality, bow strokes, and vibrato
YPSO Level
- technical facility through four positions
- comfortable use of vibrato and fundamental bow strokes with varied articulations
PE Level
- suggested age Grade 2 to Grade 4
- new applicants to Petit Ensemble are not required to play excerpts
Viola Candidates
BYS/REP Level
- technical facility in all positions
- previous ensemble experience
JRO Level
- technical facility through five positions
- well-developed tone quality, bow strokes, and vibrato
YPSO Level
- technical facility through four positions
- comfortable use of vibrato and fundamental bow strokes with varied articulations
PE Level
- suggested age Grade 2 to Grade 4
Cello Candidates
BYS/REP Level
- technical facility in all positions
- proficiency in tenor and treble clefs
- previous ensemble experience
JRO Level
- technical facility through five positions
- technical facility in tenor clef
- well-developed tone quality, bow strokes, and vibrato
YPSO Level
- technical facility through four positions
- comfortable use of vibrato and fundamental bow strokes with varied articulations
PE Level
- suggested age Grade 2 to Grade 4
Bass Candidates
BYS/REP Level
- technical facility in all positions
- previous ensemble experience
JRO Level
- well-developed tone quality and bow strokes
YPSO Level
- comfortable use of fundamental bow strokes with varied articulations
PE Level
- suggested age Grade 2 to Grade 4
Woodwind Candidates
Woodwind Standards and Excerpts
BYS/REP Level
- Bassoon: proficiency in tenor clef
JRO Level
- Bassoon: familiarity with tenor clef
All Clarinetists may be asked to play specialty clarinets (such as E-flat or Bass Clarinet) in BYSO; BYSO will loan an instrument for practice and performance should the member be assigned.
Brass Candidates
BYS/REP Level
- Horn & Trumpet: familiarity with standard transpositions
- Trombone: familiarity with alto and tenor clef
JRO Level
- Horn & Trumpet: familiarity with standard transpositions
- Trombone: familiarity with tenor clef
Percussion Candidates
Percussion Standards and Excerpts
Harp Candidates
Piano Candidates





