All students should prepare the following for their auditions:

1. One major and one minor scale of your choice.
Strings: two or three octaves according to ability. 
Woodwinds and brass: one or two octaves according to ability.
Harp: Applicants must audition on the pedal harp and be prepared to play an excerpt from a solo work. Applicants must supply their own harp.

2.  Excerpts from a solo composition; no more than 2 minutes in length, no accompaniment, memorizing not required. Choose excerpts that best show your technical and musical abilities.

3.  Sight-reading; appropriate to the student’s playing level will be required.

4. Percussion: Be prepared to demonstrate several rudiments plus, prepare a 1-minute piece from each of the following: solo on a mallet piece (i.e. xylophone and/or marimba); solo on timpani; solo on snare. 

Sight-reading will also be required.

The following are some of the categories you will be judged on as appropriate:

Note accuracy, rhythm, intonation, tone, articulations/bowing, tonguing, and musicianship/style

The audition fee is $35.  We accept cash or checks ONLY.  Please make checks payable SYSO.  This fee is required at the time of your audition.  Unfortunately we cannot accept credit cards.

Click here for an audition preperation help sheet.  

Audition Dates for the 2008-2009 Season

* Call the SYSO office beginning July 7 for an audition appointment (206) 362-2300. All auditions take place at Shorecrest High School.

Friday, August 22
Cello, Bass 10:00 am

Saturday, August 23
Viola, Violin 10:00am

Sunday, August 24
Violin 11:00 am

Monday, August 25
Oboe, Bassoon 3:45pm

Tuesday, August 26
Clarinet 3:45 pm

Wednesday, August 27
Harp, Percussion 3:45pm

Thursday, August 28
Flute 3:45 pm

Tuesday, September 2
Trumpet, Fr. Horn, Trombone, Tuba 3:45 pm

Learn how to audition, what music to choose, how to practice, what to wear... Attend our audition class Saturday, May 24th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Shorecrest High School.