LSYO AUDITIONS
2025-2026 Season
​​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.
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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.
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In-person auditions are scheduled for the following dates:
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Friday, August 22, 2025: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Willard MS (Loudoun County)
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Saturday, August 23, 2025: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Stone Bridge HS (Central Loudoun County)
​Audition requirements are below. For additional information, please contact the LSYO General Manager at lsyo@loudounsymphony.org.
LSYO ensembles are seated. We do offer for rolling auditions throughout the year as needed. Please contact the LSYO General Manager at lsyo@loudounsymphony.org for further information.
Thank you for your interest in joining LSYO! We look forward to hearing your audition.
Photos by Ashley Brody Photography
2025-2026 Season Fall Auditions
will be held August 22 & 23, 2025.
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For the 2025-2026 season, seats are currently OPEN for auditions in all string instruments.
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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 as led by a conductor.​
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Please prepare the following:
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Scales
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Any 1-octave major scale
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Any 1-octave minor scale: melodic, harmonic, or natural accepted
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Solo
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A solo piece of your choosing (Suzuki Book 1 or equivalent standard repertoire).
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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.
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For the 2025-2026 season, seats are currently OPEN for auditions in all string instruments.
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Prospective students should be able to easily sight-read VBODA Grade I music, comfortably play from basic music notation without letter names written under notes and with a variety of basic rhythms. Prospective students must also have a minimum 1 full year of experience in a youth orchestra or school program as led by a conductor.
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Please prepare the following:
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Scales
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Violin: D Major Scale, 2 octaves. Memorized. Quarter note = 100 BPM.
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Viola & Cello: G Major Scale, 2 octaves. Memorized. Quarter note = 100 BPM.
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Bass: D Major Scale, 1 octave. Memorized. Quarter note = 90 BPM.
Solo
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A solo that best demonstrates technical and expressive performance ability. Minimum requirement: Suzuki Books 3-4 or equivalent.
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For the 2025-2026 season, seats are OPEN for auditions for the following instruments: all strings, trumpet, and percussion.
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Auditions are CLOSED for the following instruments, as all seats are filled: bassoon, clarinet, flute, French horn, oboe, trombone, and tuba.
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Please prepare the following:
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Scales
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Strings: ​Any 2-octave major scale that demonstrates 3rd or 4th position shifting. Slur two in a bow. Memorized. Quarter note = 100 BPM.
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Winds / Brass / Percussion: Any 1-octave major scale. Staccato ascending and slur 2 descending. Memorized. Quarter note = 100 BPM.
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Solo​
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A solo piece from the standard repertoire for your instrument (i.e. not a school orchestra or band part) demonstrating technical proficiency and musical expression (3-5 minutes).
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Solos should be a VBODA grade 4-5 or equivalent performance level.
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Percussionists must perform a snare etude and a mallet instrument solo.
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Excerpt
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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.
For the 2025-2026 season, seats are OPEN for auditions for the following instruments: all strings, oboe, French horn, and tuba.
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Auditions are CLOSED for the following instruments, as all seats are filled: bassoon, clarinet, flute, percussion, trombone, and trumpet.
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Please prepare the following:
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​Scales
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Strings (except bass) / Harp: Any 3-octave scale. Memorized. Quarter note = 100 BPM. Slur two in a bow.
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String Bass Only: Any 2-octave scale but three octaves encouraged. Memorized. Quarter note = 100 BPM. Slur two in a bow.
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Woodwinds / Brass / Percussion- Any 2-octave scale. Memorized. Quarter note = 100 BPM.
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Winds and Brass: Scales should be performed staccato ascending and slur 2 descending.
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Solo​
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A solo that best demonstrates technical and expressive performance ability.
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Percussionists must perform a snare drum solo and a mallet percussion solo. Timpani solos can be performed in lieu of a mallet percussion solo.
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Excerpt
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Excerpts pertaining to your specific instrument (download here). Transpositions and clef proficiencies are required where applicable. If you don't see an excerpt for your instrument, we are no longer accepting auditions for that instrument.
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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.
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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.
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Harp: No excerpt required for audition. Note: harps may not be used on every piece/concert.​