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Auditions

2025-26 ENTRANCE AUDITIONS

The Audition Form for the 2025-2026 CYS Season is now open! The California Youth Symphony is dedicated to the artistic development of a new generation of musicians and building audiences to support them. Auditions for CYS are open to students of high school age and younger as of September of the coming season. Each musician within a family will need to complete a separate form. If you are interested in auditioning on two different instruments other than an auxiliary instrument (i.e. flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, etc.) please indicate this on your audition application. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Musicians who accept the invitation to join CYS Senior Orchestra are required to participate in our Summer Camp and the International Tour. Those who join the String Ensembles are strongly encouraged to participate in the Summer String Camp. The events take place during the summers on the following dates:

  • DAY CAMP [String Ensembles]: 7/21/25 [MON] - 7/25/25 [FRI], 9am-5pm
  • OVERNIGHT CAMP [Senior Orchestra]: 7/27/25 [SUN] - 8/2/25 [SAT]
  • SENIOR ORCHESTRA TOUR: Mid June 2026 - Early July 2026 (exact dates TBA)

IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES:

  • MARCH 20 - All Instruments - Audition Applications Due (closes at 11:59 PM PST)
  • MARCH 20 - Strings|Winds|Brass - Video Submissions Due (closes at 11:59 PM PST). Submit any time before the deadline - plan accordingly
  • MARCH 22, APRIL 6 - Percussion Auditions held in-person
  • APRIL 13 - Initial Deadline for submitting Tuition Assistance Application
  • APRIL 18 - Audition Results & Registration Instructions sent via Email
  • MAY 5 - Deadline to Complete 2025-26 Registration

NOTE FOR ALL MUSICIANS - NON-REFUNDABLE AUDITION FEE (ALL AUDITIONS)

  • MUSICIANS NEW TO CYS: $35
    • For your first audition with CYS, a non-refundable audition fee of $35.00 is required to complete your audition application. Payments are processed through PayPal
  • CURRENT AND FORMER CYS MEMBERS: $20
    • For Current and Former CYS Members auditioning for a different section or ensemble, a discounted, non-refundable audition fee of $20.00 is required to complete your audition application. Payments are processed through PayPal.
    • For Current CYS Members remaining in their current ensemble AND section, or not returning, there is no fee.

2024-25 RECRUITING AUDITIONS

We are currently holding Recruiting Auditions on certain instruments for the 2024-25 Season. If interested, please Click Here to Complete the Waiting List application. We will contact you should an opportunity arise. This is separate from the 2025-26 Season Audition form.

  • SENIOR ORCHESTRA (Sundays 2:30 - 5:30 pm): Viola, Bass, Horn
  • ASSOCIATE ORCHESTRA (Sundays 12:00 - 2:00 pm): Viola, Bass, Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Tuba
  • WIND SYMPHONY (Sundays 9:45 - 11:45 am): Bass, Bassoon, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Percussion
  • WIND ENSEMBLE (Sundays 3:15 - 5:15 pm): Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion
  • CHAMBER WINDS (Sundays 1:30 - 3:00 pm): Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion
  • VIRTUOSI STRINGS (Sundays 9:00 - 11:00 am): Viola
  • INTERMEZZI STRINGS (Sundays 11:15 am - 12:30 pm): Viola

Please review the important Audition FAQs, Helpful Hints, and Audition Requirements section of our website prior to completing this Waiting List application.

TUITION ASSISTANCE

CYS offers need-based tuition assistance for musicians of all ensembles. April 13, 2025 is the initial deadline for submitting the Tuition Assistance Application, linked below. We will continue to accept tuition assistance applications after April 13, 2025, but those received by then will have first priority. Due to limited resources it is unlikely additional aid will be available once all funds are used. Our goal is to inform families of their award status and amount as registration opens, or shortly after, so they can make an informed decision about registration.

TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATION FORM

2025-26 SEASON COVID-BOOSTER RECOMMENDATION: All musicians are strongly encouraged to keep up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination, with the initial series AND booster doses as eligible. In the 2025-26 Season, masks will be strongly encouraged during rehearsals and concerts but not required.

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