Auditions – Wichita Falls Youth Symphony Orchestra

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.

How to Join

Step 1: fill out the audition form by clicking here. Upcoming auditions for the 2023-24 season will be held May 21, 2023 for the Philharmonic Orchestra, and May 28, 2023 for the Symphonic Orchestra at 1:00pm in the Band Hall on the MSU campus.

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: Student fees are $100 per semester and are due prior to the first rehearsal. A limited number of partial scholarships will be available based solely on financial need.

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 bowings and which measures to play.

Step 4: practice and show up ready to shine. Scales remain posted year-round and audition excerpts specific to your orchestra and instrument are available one month prior to the audition date.

Philharmonic Orchestra

Sunday, May 21, 2023, 1:00 – MSU Band Hall

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 2023-24 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 Violin:

Philharmonic Viola:

Philharmonic Bass:

Philharmonic Cello:

Symphonic Orchestra

May 28, 2023, 1:00pm – MSU Band Hall

Students entering the 6th grade on up may audition for the Symphonic Orchestra.

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.

Strings: Refer to excerpts and scales below. Possible sightreading. Strings, please note any fingering, position, and/or bow markings.

Winds and Brass: You will be asked to play a solo (one movement) OR etude of your choice and the following scales listed below for your instrument. You may also be asked to sight read.

Percussion: Please prepare the excerpts provided.

*Regarding Piano and Harp auditions; we have limited need for piano and harp which depends solely on the repertoire chosen for the two orchestras. You may audition, but there is no guarantee a pianist or harpist will be needed.

All sections are open for the 2023-24 auditions. The scales remain unchanged and available at all times.

Symphonic Violin: