Orange County Youth Symphony and String Ensemble

Audition Application

Audition Fee

Audition Flyer

Required Excerpts/Scales

• Piccolo
• Flute
• Oboe
• English Horn
• Bassoon
• Clarinet (Rev.)
• Bass Clarinet
• French Horn
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Bass Trombone
• Euphonium
• Tuba
• Percussion
• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Double Bass
• Harp

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How to Create Your Audition Video

Please follow the following procedure while recording your audition video: 

1. State your name, age, and year in school (as of Fall 2022) 
2. Perform audition excerpts, and an optional 2-minute solo excerpt of choice in order as outlined in the audition information. 
3. Create your live, continuous, unaccompanied audition video in one sitting. Videos should NOT be edited. 
4. Students should upload their video to their Google Drive account or to a Private YouTube account 
5. Ensure privacy settings are set so that the judges can view your video. 
6. Copy the share link to the video. 
7. Paste the link into your audition application. (It will be the final question on the application, entitled ‘Audition Link’.) 

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Helpful Tips for a Successful Audition

Excerpt Preparation: Listen to a recording of the required excerpts. This will assist you to understand the excerpt, tempos, style, and emotional intent. 

What Judges Listen For: Musical maturity, note and rhythmic accuracy, articulation dynamics, and expression. 

Attire: Dress in professional but comfortable playing attire.  

Video Setting: Check the lighting in your room and the placement of your camera.  

Record a Test Run: Good Sound, Lighting, and Positioning of your full playing position? 

Record the Audition – Enjoy 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions regarding our OCYS/E Audition Process? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions below:

What instruments may audition?

OCYS: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Piccolo, Oboe, English Horn, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, French Horn, Trumpet, Tenor and Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Harp, Mallet Percussion, and Percussion. 

OCYSE: Strings Only: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass 

Musical excerpts and scales are posted for each instrument below. Music does not need to be memorized.  

OCYS & OCYSE All strings will audition on the same string music excerpts 

Is there a fee for auditions?

Yes, a non-refundable $25 audition fee (per musician) will be collected online.

When will I find out my audition results?

Results will be emailed to the email you have listed on this application one week following the auditions. Please set your email client and/or spam filter to accept any email from the e-domain @ocyouthsymphony.org and @philharmonicsociety.org. Otherwise, you might miss crucial information. 

Final seating/adjustments will be determined at the first rehearsal. 

When and where does OCYS & OCYSE rehearse?

Rehearsals are Sunday afternoon 1 - 5 PM in Chapman University at the Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music & surrounding areas.

Additional questions?

Email Cathy Olinger at cathy@philharmonicsociety.org.