2024 Auditions

Yale Symphony Orchestra’s 2024 Auditions:

Audition Requirements for All Students

Audition Schedule

Ten minute slots are allocated during the following times. You will receive a link to the sign-up sheet after you have completed the audition sign-up form. Please do not sign up for an audition slot without first filling out the sign-up form at this link: 

https://forms.gle/AUdLkojwjHLFZn7A7

Saturday, August 24th from 11:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, August 25th from 11:00am–8:00pm
Monday, August 26th from 11:00am-8:00pm
Tuesday, August 27th: from 10:00am-4:00pm, Invitation Only for String Principals & Concertmaster 5:00-6:30pm

These auditions are competitive for the following:

Woodwind: 4 Flutes, 4 Oboes, 4 Clarinets, 4 Bassoons (All woodwind positions will rotate and play supplemental instruments - i.e. piccolo, cor anglais, e-flat clarinet, etc.)
Brass: 6 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, 2 Tubas (Positions may rotate dependent upon repertoire requirements)
Strings: 16 First Violins, 14 Second Violins, 12 Violas, 12 Celli, 6 Bass (String positions other than principals will rotate)
1 Piano, 2 Harps (seating as required by repertoire)
Timpani and 4 Percussion: Those wishing to audition for YSO please complete an application but do not sign up for an audition space. Auditions will be held separate from regular times, prior to the first rehearsal in arrangement with the principal percussionist.

Note: In a concerted effort to buld the contrabass section in the orchestra this year. If any cellists that are unsuccessful in obtaining a position in the YSO after auditions are interested in playing bass, we have instruments and bows that can be borrowed, and will support regular lessons.

The YSO will carry a reserve list.

Students from all divisions of Yale University are invited to audition. However, priority for positions in the YSO goes to undergraduate students of Yale College. The Music Director’s decision is final.

The YSO rehearses on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00pm-6:30pm. Attendance is mandatory. The Fall Semester schedule is as follows:

August 29th

September 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 28 (Dress Rehearsal) 29 (Concert), 30

October 2, 7, 9, 14, 21, 23, 28, 30, 31 (Halloween Show)

November 4, 6, 11, 13, 16 (Dress Rehearsal and Concert), 18, 20

December 2, 4, 8 (Messiah Sing-In)

Spring Break Tour To North Macedonia and Greece: The YSO will be touring during Spring Break of 2025. Preference for the touring orchestra will be given to those who participate in both Fall and Spring semesters.

Membership: Once you have been accepted into the YSO you will need to register on the Class listing (MUSI 192) as this is a listed Academic Class with a Pass/Fail recognized on your transcript. It does not effect the number of Class Credits. Membership requires attendance at all rehearsals that you are called for and the individual practice of music between rehearsals. All successful auditionees do not need to re-audition for the Spring Semester. If places are available for the Spring Semester auditions will be held in early January.

All auditioning students must prepare:

  • A 2-minute portion of a solo work with contrasting elements
  • ALL of the excerpts for the instrument(s) they wish to audition on (see below)

To sign up for an audition slot, please click the button, below:

Sign up to Audition for the YSO

Audition Excerpts

Excerpts are from Strauss “Don Juan,” Brahms Symphony No. 4, and Holst “The Planets.” Click on excerpt titles to download PDFs of the excerpts.

Violin | Viola | Cello | Double Bass | Flute | Oboe | Clarinet | Bassoon
French Horn | Trumpet | Trombone | Tuba | Percussion | Harp | String Principals

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Violin

Viola

Cello

Double Bass

Flute

Oboe

Clarinet

Bassoon

French Horn

Trumpet

Tenor Tro​mbone

Bass Trombone

Tuba

Percussion

  • Please use the link, above, to register as an auditioner. All percussionists will be contacted regarding audition times and requirements separately.

Harp

Piano

Piece of your choice

String Principals

String players who perform exceptionally in their audition will be invited to audition for a principal seat in the orchestra. You will be contacted directly by the Director with an invitation and details by Monday evening, after you have auditioned. String players who wish to be considered for principal roles should not audition on Tuesday.

Concertmaster/Leader: This position will be shared by two people who have successfully auditioned and responsibilities will alternate from Concertmaster/Leader to Co-Concertmaster/Leader.

All other string sections will have two rotating principals.

Note: Because these positions will be rotating it does not permit any player to decline to play when not playing Principal.