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Symphony Program Auditions

Important Dates

Monday, April 15, 2024 @ 3:00 pm

Audition music will become available on this webpage. See “Audition Excerpts” below.

Audition registration will begin. A link will be available here once registration starts.

Friday, April 26, 2024

Early Audition Registration Deadline ($50.00 fee)

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Late Audition Registration Deadline ($75.00 fee).

Audition registration will CLOSE at 4:00 pm on this day.

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Audition emails will go out with audition times and reminders for the auditions. These emails will only go to PARENT/GUARDIAN 1 as entered in the audition registration form.

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Violin, Woodwind & Harp IN-PERSON Audition Day @ Niu Valley Middle School

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Viola, Cello, Bass, Brass & Percussion IN-PERSON Audition Day @ Niu Valley Middle School

 

If you have questions, contact HYS admin at (808) 941- 9706 or admin@hiyouthsymphony.org

2024-2025 Symphony Program Ensemble Information

Audition Information

Where will auditions be held?

Auditions will be held IN-PERSON at Niu Valley Middle School. (310 Halemaumau Street, Honolulu, HI 96821). You will receive an email with your specific report time and audition time on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Who will be in the room when I audition?

Auditions will be proctored by HYS conductors and staff. Auditions will be videotaped, and the videos will only be viewed by HYS conductors and used for audition purposes only. Only HYS staff are allowed to record in the audition room.

Can I use an iPad or other device in place of printed music?

Students must use PRINTED, PHYSICAL SHEET MUSIC for the auditions. Electronic devices (iPads, tablets, phones, smartwatches, etc.) will NOT be allowed in the audition room. Students CAN use their electronic devices in the warm-up room to tune and practice with. However, they will need to leave all electronic devices in the warm-up room or outside of the audition room (there will be a proctor outside the room and an area to leave devices).

If you need a hard copy of the music and don’t have access to a printer or device, please make an appointment to come to pick-up a copy of the music from the HYS office.

What if I cannot make it to auditions on May 18 or 19?

There will be a question in the audition registration form that will ask if you need to do an early audition. If you need to do an early audition, you will need to complete the audition registration form and then call the HYS office (808) 941-9706 BEFORE 4/26 to arrange to do an in-person early audition BEFORE 5/18 with one of our HYS staff. NO self-recorded videos will be accepted for students who live on Oahu.

What music do I need to play for the auditions?

There are TWO separate audition music packets.

Youth Symphony II (YSII)/Concert Orchestra (CO) Audition Music – Is for students who are auditioning for YSII and/or CO only. Students are expected to play all the excerpts in the YSII/CO packet.

Youth Symphony I (YSI) Audition Music – Will have the YSII/CO audition music AND additional excerpts for YSI. Students trying out for YSI, must play ALL the YSII/CO excerpts AND the YSI additional excerpts.

What if I live on a neighbor island, but want to audition?

Depending on how many students from each neighbor island are auditioning, HYS may choose to send a team to do in-person auditions on your island. Neighbor island students will need to complete the audition registration form and answer the questions on the form for neighbor island students. If there are not enough students auditioning on your island, we will contact you with details on how you can still audition.

What if I’m a current 2023-2024 Youth Symphony I (YSI) student?

If you were a student in YSI for the 2023-2024 season and plan to return for the 2024-2025 season, you DO NOT NEED TO AUDITION.

An “Intent to Return” form will be sent to you on March 18, 2024. You will need to fill out that form and pay a non-refundable $200 deposit that will be later applied to your tuition for next season by April 26, 2024.

If you DO NOT fill out this form by 4/26, you will forfeit your seat, and if you decide you want to return, you will need to audition for a spot again.

What if I’m a current 2023-2024 Youth Symphony II (YSII) or Concert Orchestra (CO) student?

Students who are currently in YSII or CO for the 2023-2024 school year WILL NEED TO GO THROUGH THE AUDITION PROCESS. It is NOT guaranteed that a current YSII or CO student will keep their seat in the orchestra or “automatically” move up to another orchestra.

Audition Excerpts

Will be available here on April 15, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Audition FAQs

What instruments are accepted?

Students may only audition on ONE instrument.

Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium*, Tuba, Percussion, Harp**

*Euphonium will NOT be considered for YSI. Only for Youth Symphony II & Concert Orchestra, and only if there are not enough trombones auditioning.

**Harp students who are accepted into the program will be asked to play AS NEEDED throughout the season. There is no guarantee that a harp student who gets into the program will perform during the season; it is all dependent on the repertoire selected for the year.

Can I audition on two instruments?

No. Students may audition on only one instrument.

How do I know the Symphony Program is appropriate for my level?

See the above graphic for further detail about the experience provided within each ensemble. You can also download and look over the audition music and consult with a music teacher if one is available to you.

When and where are rehearsals held?

All HYS Symphony Program rehearsals are on Sundays with a handful of special rehearsals that happen on either a Saturday morning or Friday evening.

♪ For WINDS & PERCUSSION students, rehearsal is generally between 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.

♪ For STRING students, rehearsal is usually between 11:30 – 3:00 pm.

♪ Rehearsal schedule is dependent on which ensemble a student gets into.

Do I have to take private lessons?

We highly recommend you take private lessons to enhance your HYS experience.