Join an Auditioned Ensemble
View audition requirements per Instrument
Check back soon for 2023 audition excerpts.
Audition excerpts will be live April 1!
To join an ESYO Performing Ensemble, you must complete an audition.
Young musicians through the age 20 are encouraged to audition!
Are you interested in singing in the Melodies of Christmas Concert? Click "Voice" below to view audition details and requirements.
Are you a local college student interested in performing with ESYO? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Auditions are open to most instruments. Is your instrument not listed? Email Sue Lascoe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Record now
New this year: Solo recordings from as early as January 1, 2023 can be used for your upcoming ESYO audition! If you are preparing for a recital or a state solo and ensemble festival, capture/record a video and save it for your ESYO audition.
Choose Your Instrument Family...
View Requirements by Instrument:
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Violin
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, String Orchestra, Concertino Strings, & Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. To be considered for Concertino Strings prepare and submit one solo piece. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience. To only be considered for Concertino Strings: prepare the single excerpt for that ensemble.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
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Viola
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, String Orchestra, Concertino Strings, & Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. To be considered for Concertino Strings prepare and submit one solo piece. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience. To only be considered for Concertino Strings: prepare the single excerpt for that ensemble.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
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Cello
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, String Orchestra, Concertino Strings & Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. To be considered for Concertino Strings prepare and submit one solo piece. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience. To only be considered for Concertino Strings: prepare the single excerpt for that ensemble.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
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Double Bass
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, String Orchestra, Concertino Strings, Repertory Jazz Orchestra, & Youth Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. To be considered for Concertino Strings prepare and submit one solo piece. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience. To only be considered for Concertino Strings: prepare the single excerpt for that ensemble.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
Youth Jazz Orchestra Requirements
Solo: Improvising a solo over a blues (in any key, any tempo) is optional, but helpful. Using an Aebersold Play-A-Long would be recommended, or a live performance. Play the melody, two choruses, melody.
Scales: Chromatic scale from your lowest note to highest note and back down, as fast as possible.
Excerpts: Prepare all excerpts.
All rhythm instruments (piano, bass, drums, guitar) in addition to the given excerpts, play about 45 seconds of 'time' or 'comping' on the tune(s) of your choice, in the following styles: medium swing, fast swing, ballad, bossa nova and funk/rock, then a one-minute solo in any style, any tempo.
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Electric Bass
Available Ensembles: Repertory Jazz Orchestra & Youth Jazz Orchestra
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
Youth Jazz Orchestra Requirements
Solo: Improvising a solo over a blues (in any key, any tempo) is optional, but helpful. Using an Aebersold Play-A-Long would be recommended, or a live performance. Play the melody, two choruses, melody.
Scales: Chromatic scale from your lowest note to highest note and back down, as fast as possible.
Excerpts: Prepare all excerpts.
All rhythm instruments (piano, bass, drums, guitar) in addition to the given excerpts, play about 45 seconds of 'time' or 'comping' on the tune(s) of your choice, in the following styles: medium swing, fast swing, ballad, bossa nova and funk/rock, then a one-minute solo in any style, any tempo.
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Guitar
Available Ensembles: Youth Jazz Orchestra & Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
Youth Jazz Orchestra Requirements
Solo: Improvising a solo over a blues (in any key, any tempo) is optional, but helpful. Using an Aebersold Play-A-Long would be recommended, or a live performance. Play the melody, two choruses, melody.
Scales: Chromatic scale from your lowest note to highest note and back down, as fast as possible.
Excerpts: Prepare all excerpts.
All rhythm instruments (piano, bass, drums, guitar) in addition to the given excerpts, play about 45 seconds of 'time' or 'comping' on the tune(s) of your choice, in the following styles: medium swing, fast swing, ballad, bossa nova and funk/rock, then a one-minute solo in any style, any tempo.
- Flute/Piccolo
- Oboe/English Horn
- Clarinet
- Bass Clarinet
- Bassoon
- Alto Saxophone
- Tenor Saxophone
- Baritone Saxophone
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Flute/Piccolo
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Audition must be prepared on flute.
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
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Oboe/English Horn
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, Wind Orchestra & Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Audition must be prepared on oboe.
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
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Clarinet
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, & Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
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Bass Clarinet
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
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Bassoon
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, & Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
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Alto Saxophone
Available Ensembles: Wind Orchestra, Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Youth Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
Youth Jazz Orchestra Requirements
Solo: Improvising a solo over a blues (in any key, any tempo) is optional, but helpful. Using an Aebersold Play-A-Long would be recommended, or a live performance. Play the melody, two choruses, melody.Scales: Chromatic scale from your lowest note to highest note and back down, as fast as possible.
Excerpts: Prepare all excerpts.
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Tenor Saxophone
Available Ensembles: Wind Orchestra, Youth Jazz Orchestra, & Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
Youth Jazz Orchestra Requirements
Solo: Improvising a solo over a blues (in any key, any tempo) is optional, but helpful. Using an Aebersold Play-A-Long would be recommended, or a live performance. Play the melody, two choruses, melody.
Scales: Chromatic scale from your lowest note to highest note and back down, as fast as possible.
Excerpts: Prepare all excerpts.
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Baritone Saxophone
Available Ensembles: Wind Orchestra, Youth Jazz Orchestra, & Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
Youth Jazz Orchestra Requirements
Solo: Improvising a solo over a blues (in any key, any tempo) is optional, but helpful. Using an Aebersold Play-A-Long would be recommended, or a live performance. Play the melody, two choruses, melody.
Scales: Chromatic scale from your lowest note to highest note and back down, as fast as possible.
Excerpts: Prepare all excerpts.
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French Horn
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, & Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
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Trumpet
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Repertory Jazz Orchestra, & Youth Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
Youth Jazz Orchestra Requirements
Solo: Improvising a solo over a blues (in any key, any tempo) is optional, but helpful. Using an Aebersold Play-A-Long would be recommended, or a live performance. Play the melody, two choruses, melody.
Scales: Two octave scale to your highest, consistent note at forte volume.
Excerpts: Prepare all excerpts.
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Trombone/Bass Trombone
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Youth Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
Youth Jazz Orchestra Requirements
Solo: Improvising a solo over a blues (in any key, any tempo) is optional, but helpful. Using an Aebersold Play-A-Long would be recommended, or a live performance. Play the melody, two choruses, melody.
Scales: Two octave scale to your highest, consistent note at forte volume.
Excerpts: Prepare all excerpts.
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Euphonium
Available Ensembles: Wind Orchestra & Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
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Tuba
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, & Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Solos: Prepare two solos of contrasting style and tempi or two contrasting sections from a larger work. Maximum length per solo: 3 minutes.
Scales: Prepare one scale appropriate for your playing ability: scales should demonstrate your range on the instrument and embodied musicianship is strongly recommended. Check out a video on embodied musicianship below.
Excerpts: Prepare two excerpts that best align with your current level of skill and experience.
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
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Percussion
Available Ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Chamber Percussion Ensemble, Repertory Percussion Ensemble, Youth Percussion Ensemble, Youth Jazz Orchestra, & Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Classical Audition Requirements
Classical Percussion
To be considered for Chamber Percussion Ensemble, Repertory Percussion Ensemble
- Mallet and/or Snare solo of your choice (NYSSMA Level 4 -5)
Classical Percussion
To be considered for Youth Percussion Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra
- Prepare all snare and mallet excerpts and etude (NO solo required)
Timpani
To be considered for Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra
- Prepare all excerpts
In-person auditions for percussion are to be announced.
Jazz Drum Set Auditions
Repertory Jazz Audition Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
Youth Jazz Orchestra Requirements
Solo: Improvising a solo over a blues (in any key, any tempo) is optional, but helpful. Using an Aebersold Play-A-Long would be recommended, or a live performance. Play the melody, two choruses, melody.
Scales: 45 seconds of 'time' in the following styles: medium swing, fast swing, ballad, bossa nova and funk/rock; One-minute solo in any style, any tempo.
Excerpts: Prepare all excerpts.
All rhythm instruments (piano, bass, drums, guitar) in addition to the given excerpts, play about 45 seconds of 'time' or 'comping' on the tune(s) of your choice, in the following styles: medium swing, fast swing, ballad, bossa nova and funk/rock, then a one-minute solo in any style, any tempo.
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Jazz Piano
Available Positions: Repertory Jazz Orchestra & Youth Jazz Orchestra
Repertory Jazz Orchestra Requirements
Solo: Prepare one solo jazz standard of your choice. Play-along track or recorded accompaniment permitted, not required.
Jazz improvisation (optional): Improvisation within a prepared solo encouraged, but not required.
Youth Jazz Orchestra Requirements
Solo: Improvising a solo over a blues (in any key, any tempo) is optional, but helpful. Using an Aebersold Play-A-Long would be recommended, or a live performance. Play the melody, two choruses, melody.
Scales: Chromatic scale from your lowest note to highest note and back down, as fast as possible (with both hands).
Excerpts: Prepare all excerpts.
All rhythm instruments (piano, bass, drums, guitar) in addition to the given excerpts, play about 45 seconds of 'time' or 'comping' on the tune(s) of your choice, in the following styles: medium swing, fast swing, ballad, bossa nova and funk/rock, then a one-minute solo in any style, any tempo.
AUDITION FOR MELODIES CHORALE
Melodies of Christmas Chorale audition information
In-person auditions will be September 30 & October 1.
Requirements will be posted this summer.
Applications will be accepted starting September 5.
Not sure which ensemble to audition for?
Come to an open rehearsal! Simply sign up online, reserve your time, and show up ready to play or simply observe!
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Contact
Empire State Youth Orchestra
45 MacArthur Drive, Schenectady, NY 12302
Phone: 518-382-7581 | Fax: 518-382-0254