Auditions will be submitted by video with the Membership Application. Applications for the upcoming year, 2023-24 are still open! Please share our information with your friends who may also be interested in auditioning.
To Audition:
1. Record Your Audition Video
Your video should include one three-octave scale of your choice and one three to five minute video that reflects your best playing. Upload your video to a video hosting service (youtube, vimeo, etc) or the cloud service of your choice (google drive, etc.) and copy the link to the appropriate line in the Membership Application.
2. Complete Membership Application
Both current members and prospective members should fill out the Membership Application. There is a field to upload both a current picture and the link to your audition video.
Placement Considerations
Eligibility
Utah Youth Symphony & Philharmonic
- Ages 13 to 21
- Students in middle school, junior high, high school, or college (U of U students are eligible to receive college credit for participation)
- Consistently studying an instrument with a private teacher
- Commit to weekly rehearsal schedule for full concert season
- Expected to be members of school music programs
Utah Youth Junior Symphony
- Minimum age: 10 years old
- Students in middle school, junior high, high school, or very proficient 5th or 6th graders
- Consistently studying an instrument with a private teacher
- Commit to weekly rehearsal schedule for full concert season
- Expected to be members of school music programs
Skill Level
The following are suggestions, please feel free to submit performances of any comparable pieces of music (especially for violin, viola, and cello). We are mostly interested in hearing six minutes of your best playing.
Utah Youth Symphony & Philharmonic
- Violin - Bach Concerto in A minor and / or Bach Partita in E major
- Viola - Seitz Concerto No. 3 in C minor
- Cello - Bach Suites
- Bass - One movement of a major concerto
- Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, and Tuba - One movement from a major concerto; continuous and musically appropriate vibrato
- Flute, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, and Tuba - One movement from a major concerto; proficient double and triple tonguing
- Clarinet - One movement from a major concerto; working knowledge of C clarinet transposition; access to an A clarinet
- Bassoon and Trombone - Proficiency in tenor clef
- Trumpet and Horn - One movement from a major concerto; beginning proficiency in transposition
- Harp - A level equivalent to Song in the Night by Salzedo, Sonatina in C Minor by Dussek or Suzuki Book 4; all major and minor scales (harmonic or melodic), two ocatves, hands together
- Percussion - All rudiments (snare drum); all major and minor scales (harmonic or melodic) (mallets); advanced solos for snare drum, mallets, timpani (including re-tuning)
Utah Youth Junior Symphony
- Violin and Viola - Proficiency in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions
- Cello - Knowledge of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions
- Bass - half, 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions
- Winds, Brass and Percussion - a short example of your best playing.
What to Play for Audition
Utah Youth Symphony & Philharmonic
- Three to five minutes of your best playing--include both fast and slow passages. You may include excerpts from two pieces or one piece that incorporates both. Plan to play without accompaniment. Please refer to the skill-level guidelines above and make sure your audition reflects the skills and level of difficulty required.
- Three-octave scales - both major and minor (harmonic or melodic form) and arpeggios in two or three octaves from memory; producing a full, clear tone with solid intonation and musical maturity.
Utah Youth Junior Symphony
- One prepared piece demonstrating current technical level; producing a full clear tone with vibrato.
- Play a 2-octave major and minor scale from memory with vibrato.