Questions About AYS in General:

When are the rehearsals for the Youth Symphony, and where are they?
The rehearsals are currently on Mondays from 4:15-7:00 at East High School. Some weeks the rehearsal will be moved to a Tuesday, so check the calendar to be sure.

I am regularly involved in after school activities (sports, etc.) that wil conflict with the rehearsals. Will I be able to miss rehearsals?
In a word, no. We have a very tight rehearsal schedule, and we meet for only a little over two hours a week. Our rehearsal is important and every person is needed at the rehearsal.

What is the concert schedule?
The Youth Symphony performs two concerts in conjunction with the Junior High Youth Symphony during the school year, along with a full concert in May. Other events are planned throughout the year. A schedule is published in the fall. In addition, we have toured every year for the last three years. SEE SCHEDULE

What fees are required to belong to the Youth Symphony?
There is an auditiion fee of $15 to defray the cost of running the auditions. If you are accepted into the orchestra, there is a tuition, which currently is $300 for the year. We will have more information for you when you hear of the results of the audition.

Are there scholarships?
Yes, there are. Please contact the Youth Symphony if you are interested.

What should I wear?
See Dress Code Requirements

Questions About Auditions:

When and where will the auditions be held?
Annual auditions are usually held in early May. See Calendar for specific dates for the current season. After making an appointment (see below), you should plan to arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the time of your audition to fill out paper work and warm up.

What do I play at the audition?
You should prepare a solo that shows your technique and tone to good advantage. You can prepare two short contrasting solos if you wish. Examples of solos include etudes, sonatas, and concertos. In addition, you will be required to play scales up to four sharps and four flats, showing a variety of bowing/articulations. See each instrument sheet for how many octaves you should prepare. You will also play some orchstral excerpts that are distributed by AYS, and finally you will be asked to sight read.

How do I sign up for an audition?
Call 566-7297 (AYS office) and leave a message. Someone will call back and give you a time for the audition. You may also e-mail us at ancys@juno.com to request an appointment

Do I need to bring a copy of my music to the audition?
It would be nice to have an extra copy for the judges, but it is not necessary.

Will I be able to warm up at East?
Yes, although it may be noisy! Most auditions run on time, but give yourself some leeway if the auditions run long. Show up early enough to warm up properly.

I get nervous at auditions. What can I do?
Everyone gets nervous at auditions. All of the judges are aware of this and they will try to put you at ease so that they can hear your best. The best thing you can do is come absolutely prepared: this will increase your confidence level and will help your nerves.

Who will hear me at my audition?
One or two AYS coaches will hear you during the audition. Possibly the music director, Linn Weeda will sit in.

When are we notified about the results?
We should notify you via mail within two weeks of the audition.

How do I prepare for the audition?
Practice! Listen to recordings of the orchestra excerpts if you can to get a sense of the style and speed. The Youth Symphony provides an Audition Checklist which may be helpful for you to develop a strategy for practicing.