Auditions: Come join the DC Youth Orchestra Program!

Who Should Audition:
All students are accepted into the program who wish to participate. Those who already have some experience with their instrument will be auditioned for placement. Placement auditions determine which orchestra/ensemble each student will rehearse and perform with, based on the proficiency demonstrated during the audition. Each audition is heard by a qualified faculty member.

How to Schedule an Audition:
To schedule an audition, please send an audition request email to info@dcyop.org, including the student’s full name, age or grade level, number of years experience, instrument, and applicable contact information. Fall auditions are held during the last week of August and the first two weeks of September for the following season. If you have questions about the audition process and available audition dates, please contact us at 202-723-1612.

Audition Repertoire:
Because the program auditions students at such a variety of levels, students are asked to be prepared with their current lesson materials or current school orchestra/band materials to present to faculty listening to the audition.

*** Those students wishing to target participation in the Youth Orchestra (the organization’s top orchestra) will need to be prepared with a solo for their instrument at grade 5 or greater, and also be prepared with all major, melodic minor, and chromatic scales, (at least 2 octaves each). ***

Beginning Students:
Students who wish to begin a new instrument or would like to learn a musical instrument for the first time, simply need to register to join the program. To register, please go to our Registration page. For information about the curriculum and program, please go to our Program page.