All students should prepare the following for their auditions:

1. One major and one minor scale of your choice.

Strings: two or three octaves according to ability. 

Woodwinds and brass: one or two octaves according to ability.

Harp: Applicants must audition on the pedal harp and be prepared to play an excerpt from a solo work. Applicants must supply their own harp.

2.  Excerpts from a solo composition*; no more than 2 minutes in length, no accompaniment, memorizing not required. Choose excerpts that best show your technical and musical abilities.

*For Percussion Only: Be prepared to demonstrate several rudiments plus, prepare a 1-minute piece from each of the following: solo on a mallet piece (i.e. xylophone and/or marimba); solo on timpani; solo on snare.

3.  Sight-reading; appropriate to the student’s playing level will be required.

4. The following are some of the categories you will be judged on as appropriate: Note accuracy, rhythm, intonation, tone, articulations/bowing, tonguing, and musicianship/style

The audition fee is $35.  We accept cash or checks ONLY.  Please make checks payable SYSO.  This fee is required at the time of your audition.  Unfortunately we cannot accept credit cards.

Click here for an audition preparation help sheet.  

Audition Dates for the 2011-2012 Season

* Call the SYSO office beginning July 6th for an audition appointment (206) 362-2300. All auditions take place at Shorecrest High School.

Friday, August 26      
 
Cello    9:00am

Saturday, August 27   

Viola:    9:00am-12:00pm

Violin:  2:00-7:00pm

Sunday, August 28    
 
Violin:   10:00am

Monday, August 29    

Younger Clarinets: 9:00am-12:00pm    
 
Older Bassoon and Oboe 9:00-12:00pm

Older Clarinets: 2:00-6:00pm

Younger Bassoon and Oboe: 2:00-6:00pm

Tues., August 30         

Flute: 10:00am

Harp: 9:00-11:00am

Percussion 1:00-5:00pm

Wed., August 31         

Bass      9:00am-12:00pm

Brass:    2:00-9:00pm