Auditions
Welcome, prospective members! Thanks for your interest in joining the Wichita Falls Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Open auditions are typically held in January, May, and August. All successful auditions guarantee your chair for the remainder of the current school year. May auditions are the first opportunity to fill spots for the full school year and are considered the main audition time. August and January’s auditions are limited and subject to restrictions if any sections are previously filled.
THE NEXT AUDITION DATE IS MAY 1 FOR THE SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA AND MAY 8 FOR THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA. THIS IS FOR THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR. ALL SECTIONS WILL BE OPEN.
PLEASE NOTE THE DIFFERENT DAYS FOR THE TWO ORCHESTRAS
AUDITION MUSIC WILL BE POSTED BY APRIL 1, 2022.
Step 1: fill out the audition form by clicking here.
The YSO encourages all students to apply regardless of gender, school, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. You will be contacted with details and a specific audition time.
Step 2: if you require financial aid, fill out the form by clicking here. Student fees are $100 per semester.
This application remains confidential to the administrators and will not impact your audition.
Step 3: download the music AND the scales for your instrument for the orchestra of your choice. Read instructions for bowing or for which measures to play.
Step 4: practice like heck and show up ready to shine. Scales remain posted year-round (because who doesn’t need a little more scale work?) and audition excerpts specific to your orchestra and instrument are available one month prior to the audition date.
Philharmonic Orchestra
Students are eligible to audition for the Philharmonic Orchestra if they are no younger than 3rd grade and have a teacher recommendation with their application. Students in 6th grade or older may audition without a recommendation.
This is a strings-only group. Please note any fingering, position, and/or bow markings. You will be asked to play the etudes and scales, and you may be asked to sight-read.
All sections are open for the 2022-23 auditions. New music is available here one month prior to the audition. Measures to play are marked on the music. You will only play the sections between the marks. The scales remain unchanged and available at all times.
- Philharmonic bass etude
- Philharmonic bass scales
- Philharmonic first violin etude
- Philharmonic violin scales
- Philharmonic viola etude
- Philharmonic viola scales
- Philharmonic cello etude
- Philharmonic cello scales
Symphonic Orchestra
The Symphonic Orchestra will receive applications from students in 6th grade and up.
Members in 11th and 12th grade are also eligible to audition for the Apprenticeship program after being accepted to the orchestra. Seniors may apply for the Gail Key Scholarship for Music Excellence.
You will be asked to play the etudes and scales. You may be asked to sightread. Strings, please note any fingering, position, and/or bow markings.
All sections are open for the 2022-23 auditions. Music is available one month prior to the audition date. The scales remain unchanged and available at all times.
- Violin etude – mm. 21-29, 57-77, 89-99, 115-129
- Violin scales
- Viola etude – mm. 21-29, 65-81, 89-99, 115-129
- Viola scales
- Cello etude – mm. 21-29, 65-81, 107-129
- Cello scales
- Bass etude– mm. 21-41, 89-99, 115-143
- Bass scales
- Timpani etude
- Mallet Percussion – mm. 17-37, 76-102
- Percussion 1 – mm. 9-29
- Woodwind scales
- Bassoon etude – mm. 37-79, 115-129
- B Flat Clarinet etude – mm. 21-41, 89-99, 106-129
- Alto Saxophone etude – entire piece
- Tenor/Soprano Saxophone etude – entire piece
- Flute etude – mm. 21-41, 65-89, 115-129
- Oboe etude – mm. 21-35, 41-57, 67-80, 89-127
- Brass scales
- Horn in F etude – mm. 65-96, 106-129, 144-160
- B Flat Trumpet etude – mm. 21-29, 57-76, 96-115, 129-137
- Trombone/Euphonium etude – mm. 9-29, 89-101, 107-129
- Tuba/Bass Trombone etude– mm. 21-41, 81-101, 115-129
