2024-25 Registration is open!
Now accepting video auditions with rolling admissions.
Click Here to submit a video audition.
***A Google account is required to submit an audition video***
Please use the following nomenclature when naming your video file:
"FirstName"_"LastName"_"SYSE, SYCO or SYSO"_"Date"
Auditions can be intimidating but we hope to make the process comfortable and safe for all musicians. To audition students are expected to participate and be in good standing in their school ensembles.
Auditions make sure that the student is advanced enough to have a positive orchestral experience by matching them with an appropriate but not overwhelming challenge. Auditions are required for new members entering the Shoreline Youth Symphony Orchestra and those who would like to move between ensembles.
Students will play a scale and solo piece of their choice and a short sight‐reading excerpt. The SYSO and SYCO audition pieces and scales should be at or above the level of the CMEA regionals audition selection for your level (high school and middle school, respectively). Scales and solo pieces can be found at cmea.org under Auditions and Festivals. The scales and solos need not be exactly those listed for CMEA, but should be comparable. You can find the audition requirements for each ensemble below.
There will be a parent representative from SYSO at the audition to answer any questions that you may have. We look forward to hearing from you.
If you have any questions regarding your audition or what to perform for the audition, feel free to contact the conductor when you submit your audition request.
SYSE: alex.svensen@sysoct.org
SYCO & SYSO: chris.jones@sysoct.org
We provide a relaxed, nurturing environment in these auditions, as we realize this may be the student’s first audition experience.
Violin
1 octave D Major
1 octave C Major
2 Octave G Major
Viola
1 octave G Major
Choice of 1 or 2 octave D Major
2 Octave C Major
Cello
1 octave G Major
Choice of 1 or 2 octave D Major
2 Octave C Major
Bass
1 octave G Major
1 octave C Major
optional 1 octave D Major
The SYCO audition piece and scales should be at or above the level of the CMEA middle school regionals audition selections. These regional scales and solo pieces can be found at cmea.org under Auditions and Festivals.
Violin
2 octave D Major
2 octave B Flat Major
2 or 3 octave G Major
Viola
2 octave C Major
1 octave B Flat Major
2 octave D Major
Cello
2 Octave C Major
1 octave B Flat Major
1 or 2 octave D Major
Bass
1 octave C Major
1 octave B Flat Major
1 octave D Major
Solo
Please prepare a solo of your choice that represents your best playing ability (CMEA solo or other).
Sight Reading
You will be asked to play a short excerpt so that we can determine your sight reading level. You can take a minute to look at the key signature, time signature, and scan over the piece.
The SYCO audition piece and scales should be at or above the level of the CMEA high school regionals audition selection. These scales and solo pieces can be found at cmea.org under Auditions and Festivals.
Scales
one scale and arpeggio of your choice
a two octave concert F chromatic scale
Solo
A CMEA middle school region audition etude or equivalent
Sight Reading
You will be asked to play a short excerpt so that we can determine your sight reading level.
You will be asked to play both mallets and snare.
Mallets: One major scale and arpeggio of your choice and the chromatic scale from the CMEA middle school audition list for mallets.
Snare: One of the CMEA middle school solos or its equivalent.
Symphony Orchestra
The SYSO audition piece and scales should be at or above the level of the CMEA high school regionals audition selection. These scales and solo pieces can be found at cmea.org under Auditions and Festivals.
Violin
Any 3 Octave Major Scale and Arpeggio of your choice
Any 3 Octave Melodic Minor Scale and Arpeggio of your choice
Viola
Any 3 Octave Major Scale and Arpeggio of your choice
Any 3 Octave Melodic Minor Scale and Arpeggio of your choice
Cello
Any 3 Octave Major Scale and Arpeggio of your choice
Any 3 Octave Melodic Minor Scale and Arpeggio of your choice
Bass
Any 2 Octave Major Scale and Arpeggio of your choice
Any 2 Octave Melodic Minor Scale and Arpeggio of your choice
Solo
Please prepare a solo of your choice that represents your best playing ability (CMEA solo or other).
Sight Reading
You will be asked to play a short excerpt so that we can determine your sight reading level. You can take a minute to look at the key signature, time signature, and scan over the piece.
Scales
2 octave scale and arpeggio from the CMEA audition list and the CMEA chromatic scale requirement
Solo
A CMEA solos/etude or their equivalent
Incoming 9th grade students may choose to play the middle school CMEA etude/solo.
Sight Reading
You will be asked to play a short excerpt so that we can determine your sight reading level.
You will be asked to play both mallets and snare.
Mallets: two major scales and arpeggios of their choice and the chromatic scale from the CMEA high school audition list.
Snare: Two of the snare rudiments and one of the snare solos/etudes from the CMEA HS audition list.
Incoming 9th grade students may choose to play the middle school CMEA solo/etude.