Audition Standards / We can’t wait to hear you play.
Thank you for your interest in the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras! BYSO auditions are open to students entering grades K-12. Please follow the audition standards that most closely match your current level of playing. Candidates audition for BYSO – not a specific ensemble – and selected candidates will be placed in an orchestra based on level. Please note that due to the competitive nature of auditions, placement is not guaranteed, and BYSO members must re-audition each year.
Preliminary string audition videos can be uploaded to your Acceptd portal following submission of the audition application and application fee. Specific instructions detailing how videos must be submitted, along with video FAQs, can be found within your audition standards below.
Standards & Requirements
Violin Candidates
Violin Preliminary Video Audition Standards 2025-26 (coming soon)
Violin Live Audition Standards 2025-26 (coming soon)
Violin Live Audition Excerpts 2025-26 (coming soon)
BYS/REP Level
- Technical facility in all positions
- Previous ensemble experience
JRO Level
- Technical facility through five positions
- Well-developed tone quality, bow strokes, and vibrato
YPSO Level
- Technical facility through four positions
- Comfortable use of vibrato and fundamental bow strokes with varied articulations
PE Level
- Suggested age Grade 2 to Grade 4
- New applicants to Petit Ensemble are not required to play excerpts
Viola Candidates
Viola Preliminary Video Audition Standards 2025-26 (coming soon)
Viola Live Audition Standards 2025-26 (coming soon)
Viola Live Audition Excerpts 2025-26 (coming soon)
BYS/REP Level
- Technical facility in all positions
- Previous ensemble experience
JRO Level
- Technical facility through five positions
- Well-developed tone quality, bow strokes, and vibrato
YPSO Level
- Technical facility through four positions
- Comfortable use of vibrato and fundamental bow strokes with varied articulations
PE Level
- Suggested age Grade 2 to Grade 4
- New applicants to Petit Ensemble are not required to play excerpts
Cello Candidates
Cello Preliminary Video Audition Standards 2025-26 (coming soon)
Cello Live Audition Standards 2025-26 (coming soon)
Cello Live Audition Excerpts 2025-26 (coming soon)
BYS/REP Level
- Technical facility in all positions
- Proficiency in tenor and treble clefs
- Previous ensemble experience
JRO Level
- Technical facility through five positions
- Technical facility in tenor clef
- Well-developed tone quality, bow strokes, and vibrato
YPSO Level
- Technical facility through four positions
- Comfortable use of vibrato and fundamental bow strokes with varied articulations
PE Level
- Suggested age Grade 2 to Grade 4
- New applicants to Petit Ensemble are not required to play excerpts
Double Bass Candidates
Double Bass Preliminary Video Audition Standards 2025-26 (coming soon)
Double Bass Live Audition Standards 2025-26 (coming soon)
Double Bass Live Audition Excerpts 2025-26 (coming soon)
BYS/REP Level
- Technical facility in all positions
- Previous ensemble experience
JRO Level
- Well-developed tone quality and bow strokes
YPSO Level
- Comfortable use of fundamental bow strokes with varied articulations
PE Level
- Suggested age Grade 2 to Grade 4
Woodwind Candidates
Woodwind Live Audition Standards 2025-26 (coming soon)
Flute Audition Excerpts 2025-26 (coming soon)
BYS/REP Level
- Bassoon: Proficiency in tenor clef
JRO Level
- Bassoon: Familiarity with tenor clef
Brass Candidates
Brass Live Audition Standards 2025-26 (coming soon)
Horn Audition Excerpts 2025-26 (coming soon)
Trumpet Audition Excerpts 2025-26 (coming soon)
Trombone Audition Excerpts 2025-26 (coming soon)
Tuba Audition Excerpts 2025-26 (coming soon)
BYS/REP Level
- Horn & Trumpet: Familiarity with standard transpositions
- Trombone: Familiarity with alto and tenor clef
JRO Level
- Horn & Trumpet: Familiarity with standard transpositions
- Trombone: Familiarity with tenor clef
Percussion Candidates
Percussion Live Audition Standards 2025-26 (coming soon)
Harp Candidates
Harp Live Audition Standards 2025-26 (coming soon)
Harp Audition Excerpts 2025-26 (coming soon)
Piano Candidates
Piano Live Audition Standards 2025-26 (coming soon)
Piano Audition Excerpts 2025-26 (coming soon)
