2021-2022 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! Due to the current pandemic, all auditions for the 2021-2022 season will be online via video submission.
Click on the links below for your instrument’s audition standards and excerpts. Videos must be recorded without accompaniment. Videos can be uploaded to your Acceptd portal following submission of the audition application and application fee. Specific instructions detailing how videos must be submitted online, along with video FAQs, can be found within your audition standards below.
Audition excerpts are available below. The application can be submitted separately from your video upload.
We understand that this may be a challenging time as many students return to in-person school activities. BYSO would like to offer you additional time to submit your application and video by extending the deadline to Tuesday, May 18th at 11:59pm.
For Flute and Clarinet candidates that are completing the separate supplemental excerpt video in order to be considered for BYS, this video must still be uploaded by Sunday, May 16th 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
- new applicants to Petit Ensemble are not required to play excerpts
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
- new applicants to Petit Ensemble are not required to play excerpts
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
Flute/Clarinet Supplemental Excerpt 2021-22 (this excerpt is only required for all Flute and Clarinet candidates wishing to be considered for BYS, including current BYS members.)
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
Harp Candidates
Piano Candidates