Thank you for your interest in auditioning for Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Academic Year Orchestra Program! Applications for the 23-24 season are officially closed.
Shorecrest High School (Youth, Junior, Debut, Symphonette)
Kellogg High School (Prelude, Conservatory)
We’l like to encourage you to check out our other programs offerings:
Music Youth Southeast – Another orchestra playing opportunity with rehearsals taking place in South Seatlle at Aki Kurose Middle School. This group does not require an audition (and is free of charge), and they play everything from classical to pop.
May 1 – Excerpts posted
June 1 – Applications open
August 10 – Deadline for 2023-24 AYOP audition videos and Sight Reading
August 18-25 – AYOP audition results sent via email, depending on instrument
September 1 – Deadline to accept or decline placement offers
September 9 – Pre-season sectionals for Youth Symphony Orchestra ONLY
September 16 – First rehearsal for all orchestras
Audition results will be sent by email to the primary parent/guardian listed on your application in late August. If you are accepted into the Academic Year Orchestra Program, you are required to accept or decline your orchestra placement.
If you are not accepted into the Academic Year Orchestra Program, we invite you to continue to practice and to audition again next year. You may also be interested in the Seattle Conservatory of Music, which offers performance opportunities and academic courses; and MY Southeast, SYSO’s newest orchestra which rehearses in Southeast Seattle.
SYSO supports the work of organizations throughout our community that provide students meaningful access to arts education. Some other musical opportunities families can check out are Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra, Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestra, Tacoma Youth Symphony, Seattle JazzEd, and Suzuki Institute of Seattle.
Youth Symphony Orchestra – $2,150
Junior Symphony Orchestra – $1,725
Debut Symphony Orchestra – $1,425
Symphonette Orchestra – $1,425
Prelude String Orchestra – $1,350
Please visit our Tuition & Financial Aid page for more information on how to pay your 2023-24 tutition.
$60 (non-refundable)
Ample tuition assistance is available to all students enrolled in our programs who demonstrate need. The Tuition Assistance application is embedded in the enrollment form families receive upon being offered a placement in one of the orchestras. Offer letters are sent on a rolling basis between Aug 18-26. We encourage any families who may need assistance to apply. Please do not hesitate to reach out to info@syso.org for more information.
SYSO’s orchestras are opportunities for students to learn to perform music under the instruction of world-class conductors and coaches. The following students are welcome to apply to participate in SYSO’s 2023-24 Academic Year Orchestra season:
Harp students that wish to perform with the Academic Year Orchestra Program should contact alex.wass@syso.org for a unique application link.
TIPS & TRICKS – Helpful tips that are useful for all students preparing to audition for any group or ensemble.
ABOUT THE AUDITION COMPONENTS – Students are required to prepare multiple components for their audition, including scales, solo repertoire or excerpts, and sight reading. Visit this link to learn why these components are part of the audition process, and what you can do to help prepare for your audition
AUDITION FAQ’s – Read through some of our most commonly asked questions. Additional questions can be directed Izchel Chacón, Orchestra Manager at izchel.chacon@syso.org
AUDITION FEEDBACK – Being open to constructive feedback is a very important part of the learning process. SYSO will provide notes from the adjudication team to ALL students who participate in the audition process, regardless of acceptance into the program. No action is necessary – we will send audition feedback by mid-December, if not sooner.
For questions about the audition requirements, rehearsals, concerts, etc.:
izchel.chacon@syso.org
call/text 206.774.3617
Izchel Chacon, Orchestra Manager
For questions about the application form, tuition payments, etc.:
alex.wass@syso.org
Alex Wass, Data and Operations Manager
Founded in 1942, Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra is the largest youth orchestra training program in the United States.