LYSO
Auditions
2026 -2027 LSYO Fall Auditions
Fall Audition Dates & Times
Friday, August 21, 2026: 5:00-9:00 p.m. - Willard Middle School, Aldie
Saturday, August 22, 2026: 9:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. - Farmwell Station Middle School, Ashburn
Please read the ensemble descriptions carefully prior to signing up for an audition to understand the required level, experience, and time commitment for each ensemble. If you have auditioned in the past, please familiarize yourself with the most current requirements.
Musicians need only audition for their desired orchestra but will be considered for all lower ensembles. Please note that our conductors carefully place musicians in the appropriate ensembles based on their audition, experience, open seats, and what best serves the musician's needs.
Click here to learn about tuition.
2026-2027 season audition requirements are below. For additional information, please contact the LSYO General Manager at lsyo@loudounsymphony.org.
Prelude Strings
Prelude Strings
Prospective students in grades 2-6 should be comfortable reading and playing from basic music notation in the keys of D, G, and C major without letter names written under notes. Students should have proficiencies in reading and playing across all four strings in first position. Prospective students must also have a minimum of one (1) full year of experience in private lessons, a youth orchestra, or school program led by a conductor.
Please prepare the following:
Scales
-
Any 1-octave major scale
-
Any 1-octave minor scale: melodic, harmonic, or natural accepted
Solo
-
A solo piece of your choosing (Suzuki Book 1 or equivalent standard repertoire).
-
Minimum requirement: End of Suzuki Book 1 level or equivalent. You must bring a copy of your music for the conductor as well as a copy for you to use in the audition.
String Orchestra
Prospective students must be proficient at playing pieces in key signatures up to 2 sharps and 2 flats and at shifting into 3rd position. Prospective students must also have a minimum 1 full year of experience in a youth orchestra or school program led by a conductor.
Please prepare the following:
Scales (do not have to be memorized)
-
Violin: D major and A melodic minor, 2 octaves with no bowing requirement. Quarter note = 100 BPM.
-
Viola & Cello: G major and D melodic minor, 2 octaves with no bowing requirement. Quarter note = 100 BPM.
-
Bass: G major 2 octaves and D melodic minor 1 octave with no bowing requirement. Quarter note = 100 BPM.
Solo
-
Prepare a one-minute excerpt of a solo that best demonstrates technical and expressive performance ability.
Recommendations:-
Suzuki Book 2 & 3
-
Solos for Young Violinists/Violists/Cellists Books 1 & 2
-
Progressive Repertoire for the Double Bass Vol. 1 & 2
-
Excerpt
-
Prepare the your instrument's excerpt from Momentum (Richard Meyer). Please listen to a recording of the piece for tempo reference, style, dynamics, etc. Download the excerpt pertaining to your specific instrument here.
Symphonic Orchestra
To participate effectively in this ensemble, prospective students are recommended to have a minimum of four years of private instruction on their instrument and at least two years of experience performing in an ensemble setting.
Please prepare the following:
Scales
-
Strings
-
Violin/Viola/Cello: One 3-octave major scale and one 3-octave melodic minor scale. Slur two in a bow. Memorized. Quarter note = 100 BPM.
-
Bass: One 2-octave major scale and one 2-octave melodic minor scale. Slur two in a bow. Memorized. Quarter note = 100 BPM.
-
-
Winds / Brass / Percussion: Any 2-octave major scale. Staccato ascending and slur two descending. Memorized. Quarter note = 100 BPM.
Solo
-
A solo piece that best demonstrates technical proficiency and musical expression (3-5 minutes).
-
Solos should be at or above a VBODA solo grade 5 performance level.
-
Percussionists must perform a snare etude and a mallet instrument solo.
Excerpt
-
Excerpt pertaining to your specific instrument (download here). If you don't see an excerpt for your instrument, we are no longer accepting auditions for that instrument.
Philharmonic Orchestra
Please prepare the following:
Scales
-
Strings (except bass) / Harp: One 3-octave major scale and one 3-octave melodic minor scale. Memorized. Quarter note = 100 BPM. Slur two in a bow.
-
String Bass Only: One 2-octave major scale and one 2-octave melodic minor scale, three octaves encouraged. Memorized. Quarter note = 100 BPM. Slur two in a bow.
-
Woodwinds / Brass / Percussion- Any 2-octave scale. Memorized. Quarter note = 100 BPM.
-
Winds and Brass: Scales should be performed staccato ascending and slur two descending.
-
Solo
-
A solo that best demonstrates technical and expressive performance ability.
-
Percussionists must perform a snare drum solo and a mallet percussion solo. Timpani solos can be performed in lieu of a mallet percussion solo.
Excerpt
-
Excerpts pertaining to your specific instrument (download here). Transpositions and clef proficiencies are required where applicable.
-
Woodwinds: Please note on your audition form if you have access to auxiliary instruments (e.g. piccolo, English horn, clarinet in A, contrabassoon, etc.). Optional excerpts for auxiliary instruments are available for some instruments. They are encouraged but not mandatory for the audition.
-
Bass Clarinet and Piccolo: You may audition with these instruments without playing their standard counterparts. However, if you are accepted into LSYO, you will only perform on pieces that call for these instruments.
-
Harp: No excerpt required for audition. Note: harps may not be used on every piece/concert.
Tuition
Tuition includes weekly rehearsals, sectional coaching, performances, and special events as they arise. LSYO musicians receive one ticket to each LSO performance throughout the season. LSYO families receive two adult tickets to each LSYO concert.
-
Philharmonic: $775
-
Symphonic: $725
-
String Orchestra: $600
-
Prelude Strings: $550
Loudoun Symphony Youth Orchestra provides financial aid to LSYO participants who have financial need through an application process once musicians are invited to join one of our ensembles. The Financial Aid Committee will consider your completed financial aid application on a case-by-case basis.
Please contact the LSYO General Manager at lsyo@loudounsymphony.org for more information.