Auditions

2024-2025 Audition Dates

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.

Chamber Strings - Saturday, May 11 (9am - 5pm)
Divertimento Strings - Saturday, May 11 (9am - 5pm)
Camerata Strings - Saturday, May 11 (9am - 5pm)
Intermezzo Strings - Saturday, May 4 (9am - 5pm)
Symphonic Strings - Saturday, May 4 (9am - 5pm)

Symphonic Winds - Friday, May 10 (4pm - 9pm)

Youth Symphony 
Woodwinds and Brass - Friday, May 10 (4pm - 9pm)
Percussion - Friday, May 10 (4pm - 9pm)
Strings - Saturday, May 11 (9am - 5pm)

Youth Philharmonic 
Woodwinds and Brass - Friday, May 3 (4pm - 9pm)
Percussion - Friday, May 3 (4pm - 9pm)
Strings - Saturday, May 4 (9am - 5pm)
Harp - Saturday, May 4 (9am - 5pm)

Please contact the Education Department for more information and to arrange an audition 941-487-2732.

Audition Requirements by Instrument

Strings

Violin
Viola
Cello
Bass
Harp

Woodwinds

Flute/Piccolo
Oboe
Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Saxophone

Brass

Trumpet
Trombone
Horn
Baritone/Euphonium
Tuba

Percussion

Percussion
Helpful Audition Hints

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.

Sarasota Orchestra Youth Orchestras
Sarasota Youth Orchestra Program

Apply Today!

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.

Tuition

Each participant in the Youth Orchestra program pays $330 tuition. This is in addition to the $25 application fee and is due upon invoice. The $330 tuition is only a fraction of the actual cost to Sarasota Orchestra per student. We are grateful to the Sarasota Orchestra Friends and the generosity of donors and granting organizations that help keep the costs to students reasonable.

Recruitment Incentive

Do you know a student that would enjoy being a part of our program? Help us spread the word and receive $25 off your tuition for each new student. Example: Talk with 4 new students that meet the requirements below and receive $100 off your tuition.

Scholarships

The Sarasota Orchestra is fortunate to be able to offer several types of scholarships. Through the generosity of many donors and numerous foundations, we are able to off-set tuition expenses. We also strongly believe in the benefit of private lessons and are able to help subsidize students’ lesson expenses. In addition, we offer scholarships for summer music camps and college music majors.

Tuition Scholarships

Need-based tuition scholarships are awarded to cover a portion of program cost (between 10% and 75%). Please include a letter of explanation. These letters can greatly help the committee with their decisions.

Sibling Scholarships

The Sarasota Orchestra understands that many families have more than one child in our program. To help off-set these expenses, we offer a reduced tuition rate to families with more than one student participating in the Youth Orchestra Program. Often these are 50% scholarships. For example, $330 for the first child, $165 for each additional child. You must request this scholarship on
the application.

Fellowships

FULL TUITION scholarships (excluding application fee) are awarded based on family need. To be considered for a full tuition scholarship, you must provide full income disclosure (IRS 1040 Form, page one, front and back) and an explanation of scholarship need. Full scholarships cannot be granted without this documentation.

Private Lesson Scholarships

These are awarded to Youth Orchestra participants to help defray a percentage of the cost of private lessons (38 lesson maximum Sept.-June).

Phone

Box Office: 941-953-3434
Administration: 941-953-4252

Hours

Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
And at the concert venue one hour prior to showtime.

Our Mission

Our mission is to engage, educate, and enrich our community through high-quality, live musical experiences.

Accessibility

Sarasota Orchestra is committed to making our performances and facilities accessible to everyone in our community.

All of the Orchestra’s facilities are accessible to persons using wheelchairs.

Assistive listening devices are available for all Orchestra performances.

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