Auditions

Auditions will open April 1, 2024 and close on May 21, 2024. Auditions take place in person at Philemon Wright High School over two weekends: May 25-26 and June 1-2 and are scheduled by the Academy at specific times. See below for audition requirements.

Audition requirements

Ottawa Youth Concert Orchestra

No substitutions of audition requirements are permitted. Scales for String Players (except bass) to be played in 16th notes, 8 per bow, M.M. =60.

Violin

  • scales: G major, 3 octaves & E minor melodic, 2 octaves
  • arpeggios: G major, 3 octaves & E minor melodic, 2 octaves
  • study: Kayser op. 20, bk II or Mazas op. 36, bk I: one of nos. 1-4
  • a piece of your own choice

Viola

  • scales: Eb major, 2 octaves & G minor melodic, 2 octaves
  • arpeggios: Eb major, 2 octaves & G minor melodic, 2 octaves
  • study: Wohlfahrt op. 45 bk II: any one
  • a piece of your own choice

Cello

  • scales: C major, 3 octaves & E minor melodic, 2 octaves
  • arpeggios: C major, 3 octaves & E minor melodic, 2 octaves
  • study: Piatti bk II: any one or Dotzauer: one of nos. 20-33
  • a piece of your own choice

Bass

  • scales: D major, 1 octave & C minor melodic, 1 octave
  • arpeggios: D major, 1 octave & C minor melodic, 1 octave
  • study: any one using positions required in the above scales
  • a piece of your own choice

Woodwinds and Brass

  • major and minor scales (any form) up to 3 flats and sharps, 2 octaves
  • two contrasting pieces or studies selected by student

Percussion

  • scales: all major scales on xylophone
  • play a study or solo on each of the following instruments: snare drum, xylophone, 2 timpani
  • demonstrate loud and soft rolls on snare drum and timpani

Harp

  • One solo demonstrating the current playing level. Memory recommended.
  • One of the following orchestral excerpts*:
    • Berlioz, Symphony Fantastique, Mvmt 2: opening to 3 measures after rehearsal 23
    • Britten, Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Variation I cadenza
    • Rimsky-Korsakov, Capriccio Espagnol, Cadenza
    • Rimsky-Korsakov, Capriccio Espagnol, Mvmt 5: Letter R to T
    • Tchaikovsky, Nutcracker, Cadenza
    • Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet, Opening to Letter H, Letter J
    • Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake, Cadenza
    • Verdi, La Forza del Destino, Overture: Letter G to H
  • All excerpts can be found in Principal Harp: A Guidebook for the Orchestral Harpist, revised by Sarah Bullen.
Ottawa Youth Symphony Orchestra

No substitutions of audition requirements are permitted. Scales for String Players (except bass) to be played in 16th notes, 8 per bow, M.M. =60.

Violin

  • 3 octave scale and arpeggio (Major and minor)
  • Etude/Study RCM Grade 8 level or above
  • A work of the candidate’s choice. (Sonata, concerto or other piece which best exemplifies your abilities.)

Viola

  • 3 octave scale and arpeggio (Major and minor)
  • Etude/Study RCM Grade 8 level or above
  • A work of the candidate’s choice. (Sonata, concerto or other piece which best exemplifies your abilities.)

Cello

  • 3 octave scale and arpeggio (Major and minor)
  • Study: any study using thumb position (e.g. Dotzauer bk II or Popper)
  • A work of the candidate’s choice. (Exposition of any concerto or work RCM Grade 8 level or above.)

Bass

  • scales: G major, 2 octaves & E minor, 2 octaves
  • arpeggios: G major, 2 octaves & E minor, 2 octaves
  • study: any study representing the lower range of the instrument
  • a Baroque or Classical Sonata: one movement

Woodwinds and Brass

  • major and minor scales (any form) up for 4 flats and sharps, 2 octaves
  • two contrasting movements of a solo piece of own choice or two contrasting studies

Percussion

  • scales: any major and any minor scale on xylophone
  • play a study or solo on each of the following instruments: snare drum, xylophone, 2 timpani
  • demonstrate loud and soft rolls on snare drum and timpani

Harp

  • One solo demonstrating the current playing level. Memory recommended.
  • One of the following orchestral excerpts*:
    • Berlioz, Symphony Fantastique, Mvmt 2: opening to 3 measures after rehearsal 23
    • Britten, Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Variation I cadenza
    • Rimsky-Korsakov, Capriccio Espagnol, Cadenza
    • Rimsky-Korsakov, Capriccio Espagnol, Mvmt 5: Letter R to T
    • Tchaikovsky, Nutcracker, Cadenza
    • Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet, Opening to Letter H, Letter J
    • Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake, Cadenza
    • Verdi, La Forza del Destino, Overture: Letter G to H
  • All excerpts can be found in Principal Harp: A Guidebook for the Orchestral Harpist, revised by Sarah Bullen.
Harp

Junior Harp Ensemble

  • A harp audition is required for new members only.
    • One octave scale in one of the following keys: C major, G major, F major (hands separate or hands together)
    • One solo piece demonstrating the current playing level.

Intermediate Harp Ensemble

  • A harp audition is required for new members only.
    • Two octave scale, hands together, in one of the following keys: C major, G major, F major, Bb major, Eb major
    • One solo piece demonstrating the current playing level. Playing from memory is preferred.

Senior Harp Ensemble

  • A harp audition is required for new members only.
    • Three octave scale, hands together, in one of the following keys: C major, G major, D major, A major, E major, F major, Bb major, Eb major
    • One solo piece demonstrating the current playing level. Playing from memory required.
String Ensembles

No substitutions of audition requirements are permitted.

Primary Strings

First ensemble experience as a complement to private lessons. Students will be placed in Primary 1 or Primary 2 depending on the audition and cohort.  

Candidates must be a minimum of 6 years of age and have been taking lessons for at least one year or have graduated from Primary Strings 1. Candidates must be prepared to play a piece of their choice. 

Junior Strings

Introduction to orchestral playing; children will learn to play together in different parts using varying rhythms and learn to follow the conductor’s instructions for tempo and dynamics. Candidates must be prepared to play a piece of their choice in addition to the following requirements:

Violin

  • two short pieces or studies of your choice
  • two scales of your choice (2 octaves) 
  • sight reading

Viola

  • two short pieces or studies of your choice
  • two scales of your choice (2 octaves) 
  • sight reading

Cello

  • two short pieces or studies of your choice
  • two scales of your choice (2 octaves) 
  • sight reading

Bass

  • two short pieces or studies of your choice
  • two scales of your choice (1 octave)
  • sight reading

Intermediate Strings

This orchestra involves a further look at orchestral playing. Here we explore different styles of music and ways of playing through a variety of articulations, dynamics and bowing techniques. Minimum age: 9 years. Requirements are as follows:

Violin

  • scales: D major, 2 octaves & B minor melodic, 2 octaves
  • study: Wohlfahrt op. 45, bk II: one of nos. 31-34 or one of equivalent level
  • play a piece of their choice

Viola

  • scales: G major, 2 octaves & C minor melodic, 2 octaves
  • study: Wohlfahrt op. 45, bk I: one of nos. 2-6 or one of equivalent level
  • play a piece of their choice

Cello

  • scales: G major, 2 octaves & C minor, 2 octaves
  • study: any study using positions 1 through 4.
  • play a piece of their choice

Bass

  • scales: C major, 1 octave & B minor melodic, 1 octave
  • study: any study using ½ and 1st positions
    Note: not required to play a piece of own choice

Senior Strings

Violin

  • scales: E major, 2 octaves & D minor melodic, 2 octaves
  • arpeggios: 2 octave in E major and D minor
  • study: Wohlfahrt, op. 45, bk II: one of nos. 35-60 or one of equivalent level
  • A piece of your own choice

Viola

  • scales: A major, 2 octaves & G minor melodic, 2 octaves
  • arpeggios: A major, 2 octaves, G minor melodic, 2 octaves
  • study: Wohlfahrt op. 45, bk II: one of nos. 31-34 or one of equivalent level
  • A piece of your own choice

Cello

  • scales: F major, 2 octaves & E minor melodic, 2 octaves
  • arpeggios: 2 octave in F major and C minor
  • study: Dotzauer bk I: one of nos. 10-19 or one of equivalent level
  • A piece of your own choice

Bass

  • scales: C major, 1 octave & B minor melodic, 1 octave
  • arpeggios: 1 octave in C major and B minor
  • study: any study using ½ and 1st positions
  • A piece of your own choice
    Note: Exceptions may be made to the Bass requirements by the conductor, in consultation with the OYOA Music Director
Winds and Brass Ensembles

Junior Winds and Brass

  • No audition requirement. Students must have at least one year of private lessons or school band experience, or equivalent. Must be able to read notes of the concert B flat scale.

Intermediate Brass

  • major and minor scales, up to 2 sharps or flats
  • two contrasting pieces or studies selected by student; short and unaccompanied

Intermediate Chamber Winds

  • major and minor scales (any form) up to 2 flats and sharps, 1 octave
  • two short and contrasting studies or pieces selected by student

Senior Chamber Winds

  • major and minor scales (any form) up to 3 flats and sharps, 2 octaves
  • two contrasting pieces or studies selected by student

Saxophone Ensemble

  • No audition requirement. Students must have at least one year of saxophone experience privately or in a school band program.  Students are eligible to play alto, tenor, baritone, and soprano saxophone.