Canton Youth Symphonies
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Auditioning for the Canton Youth Symphonies

Prepare for your Audition
Read the CYS Audition Information Sheet. This sheet contains all the details for your audition. Make sure to read it fully.
Audition Information Sheet
1) Prepared Pieces/Scales

2)Orchestral Excerpts

3)Sight-Reading
*Orchestral excerpts only apply to Canton Youth Symphony and Canton Youth Symphony Advanced Orchestra. Sight-reading applies only to Canton Youth Symphony Advanced Orchestra.

Canton Youth Strings (Youth Strings)

Youth Strings Musician’s exhibit:

  • Good intonation and developing rhythmic and musicality
  • Willingness to learn and take risks

Audition includes:

  • 2 scales (F, C, G or D Major) the student will be asked to play two scales at their audition.
  • 2 prepared pieces of the students choice. One should should demonstrate technique and the other should demonstrate musicality and lyric ability. Each piece should be no longer than 2 minutes. Students may play a portion of a longer work if the length of the work exceeds 2 minutes.  (student’s choice)
  • No orchestral excerpts required

Orchestral Excerpts:

Canton Youth Symphony Advanced Orchestra (CYSAO) and
Canton Youth Symphony (CYS)

Auditions includes:

  • 2 prepared pieces of the students choice. One should should demonstrate technique and the other should demonstrate musicality and lyric ability. Each piece should be no longer than 2 minutes. Students may play a portion of a longer work if the length of the work exceeds 2 minutes.  (student’s choice)
  • 2-3 orchestral excerpts chosen by the Music Director, which can be found below beginning in July.
  • 2 Scales (C, G, D, A, E, F, Bb, Eb, or Ab major) the student will be asked to play two scales at their audition.
  • Sight-reading (CYSAO only)

CYSAO Musician’s exhibit:

  • Accurate intonation and excellent rhythmic strength
  • Exceptional musicality
  • String players must demonstrate proficiency shifting in multiple positions and a comfort playing in the upper register
  • Brass players must have at least a two and a half octave range (three octaves are preferred)
  • Woodwind players must be comfortable with the full range of the instrument
  • Clarinet, French Horn, and Trumpet demonstrate a willingness to transpose
  • Cello, Trombone, and Bassoon must read tenor clef or be willing to learn

Percussionists must also prepare two solo pieces for their audition. One of their solo pieces must be a mallet piece (marimba or xylophone), and the other piece must be for snare drum or timpani. 

Click your instrument below to download the music and find musical reference for your audition. 

CYSAO Excerpts

CYS Musician’s exhibit:

  • Accurate intonation and strong, developing rhythmic capabilities and musicality
  • Willingness to take direction and risks String players must be able to shift out of at least first/half position
  • Woodwind/Brass players must have at least a one and a half octave range
  • Percussionists should demonstrate flexibility and willingness to learn new instruments
Percussionists must also prepare two solo pieces for their audition. One of their solo pieces must be for snare drum. 
 
 
Click your instrument below to download the music and find musical reference for your audition. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CYS Excerpts