Sarasota Youth Orchestras Auditions
2026 - 2027 Youth Orchestra Auditions
Upcoming audition dates can be found below. All try-outs are held in the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. The Sarasota Orchestra Education Department will notify you of your appointment time at least one week before your audition date. Placement will be mailed to you, please do not call the department for the results.
String Orchestras
- Chamber Strings - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
- Divertimento Strings - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
- Camerata Strings - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
- Intermezzo Strings - Saturday, May 9 (9am - 5pm)
- Symphonic Strings - Saturday, May 9 (9am - 5pm)
Symphonic Winds
- All instruments - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
Youth Symphony
- Woodwinds and Brass - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
- Percussion - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
- Strings - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
Youth Philharmonic
- Woodwinds and Brass - Friday, May 15 (4pm - 9pm)
- Percussion - Friday, May 15 (4pm - 9pm)
- Strings - Saturday, May 9 (9am - 5pm)
- Harp - Saturday, May 9 (9am - 5pm)
Location
Download an Application
Please contact the Education Department for more information and to arrange an audition 941-487-2733.
Requirements
Any student who plays an orchestral instrument and is in the third grade or higher may audition for placement in the Sarasota Youth Orchestra Program.
All Youth Orchestra participants are required to play in their school's orchestra or band, in addition to this ensemble. All participants must audition each year.
Those interested in participating in any of the youth ensembles, must submit a Youth Orchestra application. If you are interested in financial assistance for either orchestra tuition or with private lessons, please fill out and submit the scholarship application.
Audition Requirements by Instrument
Helpful Audition Hints
The following tips are meant to help students have a positive Youth Orchestra audition:
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If you study privately, ask your teacher for help with your audition materials and orchestra music.
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Listen to recordings to help learn excerpts and how they fit into the rest of the piece. More than 18,000 recordings are available at the Sarasota Orchestra music archives in the Selby Library, or you can purchase recordings from online music sources or local music stores.
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Perform before various people such as friends and family prior to your audition.
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Remember that the audition committee will be listening for the correct notes and rhythms, intonation, tone quality, articulation, expression, musical style and consistency among other things. Pay close attention to detail. Music is a lifelong learning experience, perfection takes a lot of work and time.
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Try to relax before your audition. Focusing on your breath is a technique that helps some people calm their nerves. Another technique is to find a quiet place and imagine yourself playing your audition materials with confidence. Nerves are natural, but remember the purpose of an audition is to show what you already know.
The person who is well prepared has the greatest chance of performing well!
Strings
Violin Audition Requirements
You must be prepared to play all of the specified requirements when auditioning. Please understand that the audition committee may choose to omit some items during the actual audition.
For a description of the ensembles click here.
Chamber Strings
Divertimento Strings
Camerata Strings
Intermezzo Strings
Symphonic Strings
Youth Symphony
Youth Philharmonic
Questions?
Any questions pertaining to the auditions should be directed to Sarasota Orchestra's Education Office.
Phone: 941-487-2732
Email: [email protected]
Woodwinds
Flute & Piccolo Audition Requirements
You must be prepared to play all of the specified requirements when auditioning. Please understand that the audition committee may choose to omit some items during the actual audition.
For a description of the ensembles click here.
Symphonic Winds
Youth Symphony
Youth Philharmonic (Flute/Piccolo)
Questions?
Any questions pertaining to the auditions should be directed to Sarasota Orchestra's Education Office.
Phone: 941-487-2732
Email: [email protected]
Brass
Trumpet Audition Requirements
You must be prepared to play all of the specified requirements when auditioning. Please understand that the audition committee may choose to omit some items during the actual audition.
For a description of the ensembles click here.
Symphonic Winds
Youth Symphony
Youth Philharmonic
Questions?
Any questions pertaining to the auditions should be directed to Sarasota Orchestra's Education Office.
Phone: 941-487-2732
Email: [email protected]
Percussion
Percussion Audition Requirements
You must be prepared to play all of the specified requirements when auditioning. Please understand that the audition committee may choose to omit some items during the actual audition.
For a description of the ensembles click here.
Symphonic Winds
ALL percussionists are encouraged to perform all excerpts (snare, xylophone, and timpani)
Youth Symphony
Youth Philharmonic
Questions?
Any questions pertaining to the auditions should be directed to Sarasota Orchestra's Education Office.
Phone: 941-487-2732
Email: [email protected]
Join SYO
The Youth Orchestra program has taught thousands of young people to become better musicians. Many become performers with the Sarasota Orchestra or major symphony orchestras throughout the country.
Eight different orchestras rehearse weekly from September through April. Students progress through the program from string ensembles up to full orchestras. Auditions are held every year.
Support Education Programs
Sarasota Orchestra is able to provide world-class learning opportunities for young people in the region thanks to the generous support of donors like you!
Make your gift today to ensure that these outstanding programs are available for generations to come.
