Entrance Audition Requirements

Saskatoon Youth Orchestra

Prospective members should be serious students of their instruments with several years experience. They should have already developed good technique and facility and be able to play with good tone and intonation. This ensemble is not for beginners.

Come prepared to play:

  1. Two contrasting solos of your own choice to demonstrate your ability to play:

    1. with good tone and evenness from low to high pitches.
    2. in tune.
    3. with good phrasing and at various dynamic levels.
    4. both slowly and quickly with flexibility of technique in fingering and articulation.

    Note to percussionists: One snare drum solo and mallet solo are required. Also, be prepared to demonstrate your ability to play timpani, bass drum, and cymbals. Please state on your application form if you play drum set.

  2. Scales at a moderate speed (one note per beat at 96 beats per minute) ascending and descending in complete scales throughout your widest possible range. Specifically:

    Brass, Woodwinds and Percussion:

    1. a chromatic scale throughout your entire range.
    2. major scales (concert pitch): G, D, A, F, C.
    3. melodic minor scales (concert pitch): e, d, a, g.

    Strings:

    1. one-octave chromatic scale beginning on any pitch.
    2. C and G major – as many octaves as you can play.
    3. B-flat, F, D and E major scales – two octaves.
    4. melodic minor scales c and g – two octaves.

    Harp/Piano:

    1. two-octave chromatic, major and melodic minor scales as those for strings.
    2. two or three etudes or pieces (you may select portions thereof) to demonstrate technical and musical ability, such as pieces which are fast and slow, legato and staccato. The total time of these pieces should not exceed 7 minutes.
  3. The orchestral audition piece. The orchestral excerpt will be only used for seating placement for all SYO members at the registration and first rehearsal of the season. More information will be sent to all SYO members (including new members accepted from May/August auditions).
  4. Sight reading. You will be expected to play, at sight, portions of pieces selected from the repertoire of the Youth Orchestra.

Candidates may be asked to play other material which will demonstrate proficiency. Only the candidate and the auditioners will be in the room during the audition.

String players who have not yet achieved the minimum level for the Youth Orchestra should consider auditioning for the Saskatoon Strings.

We do our best to eliminate undue stress during our auditions and to make it a worthwhile experience. We don’t expect perfect performances or tally mistakes.

Saskatoon Strings

Please see this document for requirements. (PDF)