Audition Information

AUDITION for SALEM YOUTH SYMPHONY

We are now accepting audition applications for the upcoming 2024-2025 season! All public, private, and home school students through 22 years old are welcome to audition!

Audition Music can be found HERE.

To apply for SYS, please fill out the Online Audition Application Form. 

AUDITION DATES

SPRING:

SATURDAY JUNE 1, 2024 – Howard Street Charter School

  • Youth Symphony – (new to SYS and returning musicians)
  • Philharmonia: Winds, Brass and Percussion ONLY (new to SYS and returning musicians)

SUNDAY JUNE 2, 2024 – Howard Street Charter School

  • Youth Symphony – (new to SYS and returning musicians)
  • Philharmonia: STRINGS ONLY – current, new, & Amadeus musicians wanting to move up.

FALL:

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 – Howard Street Charter School

  • Amadeus Players: All Strings – current, new to SYS, and Mozart musicians wanting to move up.
  • Philharmonia and Youth Symphony – Please contact Kami Hettwer for current openings.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 

  • Mozart Players: Teacher Recommendations and online applications due

ENSEMBLES

Click on each orchestra for more information on skill level.

  • Mozart Players: a non-audition, preparatory string ensemble co-conducted by Rachael Anderson. Mozart Players engages primarily students in grades 4-7. Teacher recommendation is required for first time Mozart Players.
  • Amadeus Players: a mid-level string ensemble conducted by Mac Mayer. Amadeus engages primarily students in grades 5-9. Audition required.
  • Philharmonia: an advanced full symphony orchestra conducted by Danny Hunt. Philharmonia comprises talented student musicians who want to develop orchestral performance skills.
  • Youth Symphony: the premier full symphony orchestra conducted by Musical Director Jon Harris-Clippinger. Youth Symphony comprises the most talented and dedicated student musicians through age 22.

SCHOOL MUSIC ENSEMBLE PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS: Salem Youth Symphony, in support of public and private school music programs, requires students to be enrolled in a musical ensemble offered at their school for their instrument.  Wind and percussion instrumentalists will participate in their school band program.  String instrumentalists will participate in their school orchestra program.  The policy does not apply to students whose educational setting does not offer a musical ensemble for their instrument.

AUDITION INFORMATION

NEW Audition Process for Amadeus Players and Philharmonia STRINGS: Amadeus and Philharmonia string auditions will be played for a panel of up to 4 directors, using an updated music packet. The new music packet is formatted to include both Amadeus and Philharmonia skill requirements, which will facilitate director assessment and still allow students to audition for their preferred ensemble.

AUDITIONS: All new and current Amadeus Players, Philharmonia, and Youth Symphony members are required to audition each year. Auditions are held in early June for Philharmonia and Youth Symphony and mid September for Amadeus Players. These auditions determine orchestra placement. Mozart Players is a non-audition ensemble. Teacher recommendation is required for first-time Mozart Player musicians.

  • Auditions are held in early June for Philharmonia and Youth Symphony musicians and mid September for Amadeus Players musicians.
  • All  Amadeus Players, Philharmonia and Youth Symphony members MUST audition each year.
  • Auditions will consist of scales, excerpts (provided in packet) and sight reading.
  • Mozart Players is a non-audition group, teacher recommendation is required for first year Mozart Players.

If musicians are not recommended to be enrolled in or promoted to Philharmonia, their audition will apply towards enrollment in the Amadeus Players ensemble. For musicians auditioning for Philharmonia or Youth Symphony, all positions are open to new and returning members. Returning members are not guaranteed a position for the following year.

Mozart Players is a non-audition, preparatory string ensemble. The Online Audition Application Form and teacher recommendation is required in place of an audition.