Orchestra auditions have closed for the 2026-27 season. Please see the information below for mid-season audition opportunities.
ACADEMIC YEAR ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS
About
Welcome and thank you for your interest in auditioning for the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Academic Year Orchestra program (Youth, Junior, Debut, Symphonette, and Prelude).
Regular auditions for SYSO’s Academic Year Orchestra program open in June each year and close at the beginning of August.
Mid-season auditions are welcome throughout the year, and seats are offered on a space-available basis.
If you are interested in auditioning at any point during the season outside of the regular audition window, please email orchestra@syso.org with your audition inquiry. We’ll confirm whether there is an opening for your instrument and provide next steps if a position is available.
Click HERE to read the audition guidelines.
We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming new musicians to SYSO!
Rehearsal Locations
Shorecrest High School (Youth, Junior, Debut, Symphonette) – 15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155
North City Learning Center (Prelude) – 816 NE 190th St, Shoreline, WA 98155
Contact
For questions about the audition requirements, rehearsals, concerts, etc.:
Izchel Chacon, Director of Orchestra Operations
izchel.chacon@syso.org
call/text 206.774.3617
Apply
Applications for the 2026-27 orchestras are now closed.
If you are interested in submitting a mid-season audition, see the “About” tab on this page.
Application/Audition Process
- Submit your application.
- Prepare and submit your video audition.
- Complete the sight-reading portion of your audition.
- You’re done! Wait to hear the results in late August.
Read through the tabs above for more information, and contact us if you have any questions about the process. We look forward to a great audition season!
Audition Resources
TIPS & TRICKS – Helpful tips 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, Director of Orchestra Operations at izchel.chacon@syso.org
Audition Dates & Timeline
- May 18–May 29, 2026 – Audition Office Hours
- Wed, June 10, 2026 – Application opens 10 am PT
- Tues, Aug 4, 2026 – Application materials due 11:59 pm PT
- Mon, Aug 10, 2026 – Extended audition submissions for Marrowstone participants only
- Tue, Aug 25, 2026 – Placement notification emails sent to all applicants by 11:59 pm PT (Please note emails will be sent to the primary email address on file. Staff cannot provide placement notification updates until August 26.)
- Fri, Aug 28, 2026 – Deadline to accept placement
- Sat, Sept 12, 2026 – Pre-season rehearsals for Junior & Youth Symphony Orchestra members
- Sat, Sep 19, 2026 – First day of rehearsals for all orchestras
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOU AUDITION
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 must accept or decline your placement.
You may also be interested SYSO other programs, including the Seattle Conservatory of Music, which offers classes with performance opportunities; and MY Southeast, SYSO’s after-school orchestra, which rehearses in Southeast Seattle.
SYSO supports the work of organizations throughout our community that provide students with 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.
Tuition
TUITION RATES
Prelude String Orchestra: $1,600
Symphonette Orchestra: $1,675
Debut Symphony Orchestra: $1,675
Junior Symphony Orchestra: $1,950
Youth Symphony Orchestra: $2,375
TUITION PAYMENT DATES
Tuition Payment Plan Deadlines:
Oct 30, 2026: First tuition payment due
Feb 19, 2027: Second tuition payment due
APPLICATION FEE
$70
TUITION ASSISTANCE
Tuition assistance is available to 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. Please do not hesitate to reach out to izchel.chacon@syso.org (Director of Orchestra Operations) for more information.
Eligibility
To participate in SYSO’s Academic Year Orchestras, students must meet the following criteria regarding instruments, age, and school music program participation as outlined below.
INSTRUMENTS
Musicians who play strings, winds, brass, percussion, harp, and piano are eligible to apply.
AGE
To be eligible to participate in SYSO’s Academic Year Orchestras, students must be 7–20 years old at the time of registration. Additionally, students over the age of 18 at the time of registration must have previously participated in one of SYSO’s programs to be eligible.
SCHOOL PARTICIPATION
Students participating in our Academic Year Orchestra program are expected to be enrolled and actively participating in their school’s music program whenever one is available.
At SYSO, we are deeply committed to supporting and uplifting school music programs. We believe that school music programs—led by dedicated music educators and embedded in the daily life of a student’s academic experience—are the bedrock of music education in our communities. These programs provide vital, consistent instruction, foster peer collaboration, and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for music.
SYSO’s orchestras are designed to supplement the important work being done in schools, not to replace it. By participating in both, students receive the most comprehensive and enriching music education possible, growing as musicians and leaders both in and out of the classroom.
Exemptions
We recognize that every student’s educational path is unique. There may be situations in which participation in a school music program is not possible—due to scheduling conflicts, lack of a school music offering, or other personal or academic considerations.
In such cases, families may request an exemption from this policy. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis with care and understanding. Our goal is always to support the success and well-being of each student while remaining aligned with our mission to advocate for strong school music programs across the region.
Founded in 1942, Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra is the largest youth orchestra training program in the United States.
