The Worcester Youth Orchestras Founded in 1947
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Audition Dates & Requirements

2021 Summer & Fall Auditions will be held online with submitted videos.

Audition materials are due by MAY 10th

Please be sure to read the directions carefully before uploading your video file.
​You must submit one video only, unedited with all audition requirements. 

Please be sure to state your first and last name at the beginning.

​Questions? Email info@worcesteryouthorchestras.org 

REGISTER HERE FOR YOUR online AUDITION
About Online Audition Process

Who can audition? 


- All students (20 and under) pursuing  string, wind, brass, harp, piano and percussion are eligible to audition.

- Students who are enrolled in a public or private school, or home-school programs and/or community music schools. 

What are the steps?

1)
Check the Audition Requirements for the ensemble you are interested in. All require scales and solo excerpts, with one exception:
A) All Jazz candidates may be sent an additional excerpt following their audition. 

2) Make 1 unedited video only with your scales and solo(s) Please be sure to state your first and last name at the beginning.

3) Fill Out An Audition Form, and upload one video or list a youtube or other link with your one video. 
The unedited video must contain your prepared scales, solo excerpt and any additional material required.  Please be sure to state your first and last name at the beginning.

4) Click "Submit" and Pay Audition Fee

5) After submitting payment your audition will be considered complete and will go for review by WYO Faculty. 
​

What is the audition fee?

​$35* paid via our WYO Box Office.

*No student will be denied an audition if unable to pay the audition fee due to financial hardship. Please contact us if you need assistance. 


Who will see my audition video?
Auditions are private and are viewed by the WYO conductors and coaches.

What is the cost to participate in WYO?

New Student Registration Fee: $50 


'21-'22 Tuition: 

WYSO: $875
WYP: $875
Wind Ensemble: $875
Jazz Band: $875
Baroque Orchestra: $160 ($200 for students who don't enroll in WYSO) per session

Summer Session: $300


No student will be turned away due to financial hardship. ALL WYO students receive an automatic tuition subsidy through the generosity of our supporters.  Families seeking additional financial aid or scholarships should contact the Artistic Director by email. 

Additional aid includes:
- Flexible payment plans
- Financial Aid
- Internships & Work-study 
​
Learn about WYO!
Ensembles Audition Requirements​
Symphony
Grades 8 - 12
Philharmonic
Grades 6 & up
string orchestra
Grades 3 & up
jazz band
Grades 8 - 12
Wind ensemble
Grades 7 - 12
Baroque & Chamber Orchestra -
​By Invitation Only, based on any audition.
Honors Program
Please use the Symphony Guidelines plus 2 Letters of Recommendation. See the Honors Program for more details or email the Artistic Director 
Our Ensembles

Orchestras:

Symphony Orchestra 
Philharmonic Orchestra 
Baroque Orchestra
String Orchestra

Bands:
Wind Ensemble
Big Band & Jazz Combos ​

Honors Program:
Honors String Quartet
Honors Woodwind Quintet
​Honors Brass Quintet 


For more information, please email: 
info@worcesteryouthorchestras.org
REGISTER HERE FOR YOUR online AUDITION

Rehearsal Information
*please note rehearsal times vary this year due to Covid-19 restrictions and requirements, please email us.
​
Symphony Orchestra,  Philharmonic, String Orchestra
Sunday Afternoons between 1pm and 8pm

Worcester Youth Wind Ensemble
Sunday Afternoons between 1pm and 8pm
​
Worcester Youth Big Band & Jazz Combos
Sunday Evenings 5:30pm to 8pm
​
Baroque Orchestra
Selected Tuesdays, 4:30pm to 5:30pm

School Participation Policy:

WYO training and performance opportunities are intended to supplement school music programs. It is the policy of the Worcester Youth Orchestras that each musician participates in his/her school music program, if offered at the musician’s school as part of the school day curriculum. As WYO helps to advocate for the school music programs, music educators help promote and encourage their students to participate in WYO. This policy has been a very important way to build both programs and to build community and a positive reputation for WYO.  As regards the school music participation policy, WYO recognizes that some school music classes may conflict with other school core curriculum, electives, and AP classes. In such cases, WYO believes the musician’s family must make the best academic choice for their child.

A Note on Covid-19 & WYO for the 2021-2022 Season

WYO has successfully held in-person rehearsals since late August 2020 following strict Covid-19 safety protocols including health screening, mandatory masking, social distancing and woodwind/brass bell covers. Rehearsals were held indoors and outdoors with
no cases of transmission. WYO complied with all public gathering limits set by state as well as a remote-only option. 

For the upcoming season, WYO will hold in-person rehearsals in accordance with all state and local ordinances. Please note, as of April 2021, that masking, bell covers and social distancing will be required regardless of vaccination status. The safety and health of our students and staff is paramount. 


We look forward to seeing you in rehearsal and meeting you!
​
Questions? Email us at info@worcesteryouthorchestras.org 
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS

The Worcester Youth Orchestras School admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, gender identification, religion, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.  It does not discriminated on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identification, religion, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school administered programs.  

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