Audition Requirements + Music

Audition Materials

Auditions for the 2025-2026 season will be held Saturday, May 24 & Sunday, May 25 at the University of Memphis.

Video auditions will be accepted for those who cannot attend the May auditions.
If you need to submit a video audition, you must still register at the link below.

Not sure which ensemble to audition for? See audition requirements below and check out our Large Ensembles page for more information or contact us at mysp@myspmusic.org.

Youth Symphony & Repertory Orchestra

Full Orchestras - Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion

All instruments are required to prepare the following:

String Orchestra

Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass

(click instrument name to open link)
2025 Excerpts: Violin | Viola | Cello | Bass

Audition Requirements for Violin, Viola, and Cello (see below for Bass):
1. Scales: Two 3-octave scales of your choice. (If you are already part of the ensemble, please play different scales than you did last year.) Perform your scales with two quarter notes slurred to a bow, tempo = 60 to a quarter note (approximately), with your largest sound, best vibrato, and demonstrating use of the entire bow. 

2. Solo: prepare and perform a 1-minute excerpt from a solo of your choice. Please pick something that highlights your strengths. 

3. Excerpts: must be performed at the audition with a metronome at the tempo of your choice. Please consult your teacher regarding what bowings and fingerings would help you sound your best. 

4. Sight-reading: up to 4 sharps and 4 flats, and may include off-beats, syncopations, and compound meters. The goal is not to play it perfectly, but just to demonstrate understanding of what is on the page.


Audition Requirements for Double Bass: 

  1. Scales: A Major and Ab Major scales in 2 octaves, to be played in your tempo and bowing style of choice. Demonstrate your biggest and best sound.  

2. Solo: prepare and perform a 1-minute solo excerpt, etude, or orchestral excerpt of your choice. Please pick something that highlights your strengths. 

3. Excerpts: must be performed with a metronome at the tempo of your choice. Please consult your teacher regarding what bowings and fingerings would help you sound your best. 

4. Sight-reading: up to 4 sharps and 4 flats, and may include off-beats, syncopations, and compound meters. The goal is not to play it perfectly, but just to demonstrate understanding of what is on the page. 

Intermezzo Orchestra

Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass

All instruments are required to prepare the following:

  • C, G, D, F, and B-flat Major Scales

  • 2025 audition excerpts:
    (click instrument name to open link)
    Violin | Viola | Cello | Bass

  • Sight reading (will be disclosed at the time of the audition)

Prelude Strings

Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass

Audition excerpts will be announced soon!

All instruments are required to prepare the following:

  • G and D Major Scales

  • Audition excerpts will be announced here in February.

  • Sight reading (will be disclosed at the time of the audition)

Concert Band

Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion

All instruments are required to prepare the following:

  • G and D Major Scales

  • Audition excerpts will be announced here in February.

  • Sight reading (will be disclosed at the time of the audition)

Wind Ensemble

Auditions for Spring 2026 Wind Ensemble will be held in December 2025.
Wind Ensemble is open to woodwind, brass, and percussion.

All instruments are required to prepare the following:

  • Major scales up to four flats and four sharps

  • A solo or etude of your choice (no longer than 2 minutes)
    Students may play their All West audition music or a solo/etude of choice

  • Sight reading (will be disclosed at the time of the audition)