Canton Youth Symphonies
Audition Information
About
Concerts and Tickets
Audition Information
Current Member Information
Alumni

Did you miss auditions, but still want to join CYS?

 

We accept mid-season auditions all year!

Mid-season auditions are scheduled individually, and usually take place 1-2 weeks before the start of each cycle. Auditions taking place after the start of the cycle are allowed, but will count towards the student’s allotted absences. Students may audition for any of the three ensembles, space permitting. Mid-season auditionees will be placed into whichever section and ensemble has space and best represents the student’s skill level, but will automatically be placed as last chair of their section. 

Late auditions for the fall cycle will be accepted through September 16.

Mid-season auditions for the winter cycle can be scheduled between November 3-December 9.

Mid-season auditions for the spring cycle can be scheduled between February 9-March 9.

 

To schedule your mid-season audition, follow the steps below: 

 

How To Apply:

1: Fill out the Audition Form
Fill out the online form linked below. This form must be filled out prior to to auditions.
Fill out here
2: Sign up for your audition
To schedule your 25-26 mid-season audition, please email Caroline Eberhard at ceberhard@cantonsymphony.org
Schedule
3: Prepare for your audition
Read the audition information form and print out your audition excerpts.
25-26 Orchestral Audition Excerpts Available now

 

We are currently accepting late/mid-season auditions for the following instruments:

All ensembles: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass.

CYSAO: French Horn, Tuba, Oboe, Bassoon, Percussion.  

CYS: Oboe, Bassoon, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Percussion.

Play an instrument not listed? Feel free to check-in before winter or spring to inquire if space has become available. Otherwise, we hope to see you at auditions next year!

Read the CYS Audition Information Sheet. This sheet contains all the details for your audition. Make sure to read it fully.

For more information, contact
Caroline Eberhard, Director of Education and Community Engagement,
ceberhard@cantonsymphony.org
Audition Information Sheet

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

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. You can find the orchestral excerpts HERE. 
  • 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 octave range (full range of the instrument preferred)
  • Woodwind players must be comfortable with the full range of the instrument
  • Cello, Trombone, and Bassoon must read tenor clef or be willing to learn
  • Viola and Cello must read treble clef or be willing to learn

Percussionists must also prepare two solo pieces for their audition. One of their solo pieces must be for snare drum. 

Orchestral Audition Excerpts can be found HERE.

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 players must have at least a two-octave range
  • 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. 
 
Orchestral Audition Excerpts can be found HERE.