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
Orchestra auditions for the 2025-26 season will be held August 24, 2025 at 1:00pm in the Band Hall on the MSU campus.
STEP 1: fill out the AUDITION FORM by CLICKING HERE. You will be contacted with details and a specific audition time.
The YSO encourages all students to apply regardless of gender, school, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
STEP 2: download the music AND the scales for your instrument for the orchestra of your choice. Read instructions for which measures to play. String players should follow bowing instructions when indicated.
STEP 3: 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.
Student fees are as follows:
- $125 per semester and are due prior to the first rehearsal of each semester.
- $220 for the 2025-26 Season if paid in full by the first rehearsal of the season ($30 discount!)
On acceptance, a limited number of partial scholarships are available if fees are a hardship. Sibling discounts are always honored. Please contact the YSO Office for either of these circumstances. Direct all financial aid inquiries to the YSO office by calling (940)228-9873, or emailing at exec@wfyouthsymphony.org.
Philharmonic Orchestra
Students entering 3rd grade on up to 12th grade may audition for the Philharmonic Orchestra. An instructor recommendation must accompany a student younger than 3rd grade. The Philharmonic Orchestra is a strings-only, developmental orchestra performing beginning to intermediate orchestral arrangements.
Philharmonic Orchestra Violin:
Philharmonic Orchestra Viola:
Philharmonic Orchestra Bass:
Philharmonic Orchestra Cello:
Symphonic Orchestra
Students entering the 6th grade through 12th grade 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 sight reading. Strings, please play all fingering, position, and/or bow markings.
Winds and Brass: Refer to your instrument to download and print your audition materials. You may also be asked to sight read. Bring 2 extra copies of your chosen solo/etude excerpt (2-3 minutes) for the judges.
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.
Symphonic Orchestra Strings:
Symphonic Timpani and Percussion:
Symphonic Orchestra Woodwinds:
Symphonic Orchestra Brass: (Check Back)
Stringsemble Audition Music
There is currently no audition music for the 2025-26 advanced ensemble, Stringsemble, under the direction of Barbara Kavanaugh.