Sarasota Youth Orchestras Auditions
2026 - 2027 Youth Orchestra Auditions
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.
String Orchestras
- Chamber Strings - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
- Divertimento Strings - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
- Camerata Strings - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
- Intermezzo Strings - Saturday, May 9 (9am - 5pm)
- Symphonic Strings - Saturday, May 9 (9am - 5pm)
Symphonic Winds
- All instruments - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
Youth Symphony
- Woodwinds and Brass - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
- Percussion - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
- Strings - Saturday, May 16 (9am - 5pm)
Youth Philharmonic
- Woodwinds and Brass - Friday, May 15 (4pm - 9pm)
- Percussion - Friday, May 15 (4pm - 9pm)
- Strings - Saturday, May 9 (9am - 5pm)
- Harp - Saturday, May 9 (9am - 5pm)
Location
Download an Application
Please contact the Education Department for more information and to arrange an audition 941-487-2733.
Audition Requirements by Instrument
Helpful Audition Hints
The following tips are meant to help students have a positive Youth Orchestra audition:
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If you study privately, ask your teacher for help with your audition materials and orchestra music.
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Listen to recordings to help learn excerpts and how they fit into the rest of the piece. More than 18,000 recordings are available at the Sarasota Orchestra music archives in the Selby Library, or you can purchase recordings from online music sources or local music stores.
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Perform before various people such as friends and family prior to your audition.
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Remember that the audition committee will be listening for the correct notes and rhythms, intonation, tone quality, articulation, expression, musical style and consistency among other things. Pay close attention to detail. Music is a lifelong learning experience, perfection takes a lot of work and time.
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Try to relax before your audition. Focusing on your breath is a technique that helps some people calm their nerves. Another technique is to find a quiet place and imagine yourself playing your audition materials with confidence. Nerves are natural, but remember the purpose of an audition is to show what you already know.
The person who is well prepared has the greatest chance of performing well!
Strings
Violin Audition Requirements
You must be prepared to play all of the specified requirements when auditioning. Please understand that the audition committee may choose to omit some items during the actual audition.
For a description of the ensembles click here.
Chamber Strings
Divertimento Strings
Camerata Strings
Intermezzo Strings
Symphonic Strings
Youth Symphony
Youth Philharmonic
Questions?
Any questions pertaining to the auditions should be directed to Sarasota Orchestra's Education Office.
Phone: 941-487-2732
Email: [email protected]
Woodwinds
Flute & Piccolo Audition Requirements
You must be prepared to play all of the specified requirements when auditioning. Please understand that the audition committee may choose to omit some items during the actual audition.
For a description of the ensembles click here.
Symphonic Winds
Youth Symphony
Youth Philharmonic (Flute/Piccolo)
Questions?
Any questions pertaining to the auditions should be directed to Sarasota Orchestra's Education Office.
Phone: 941-487-2732
Email: [email protected]
Brass
Trumpet Audition Requirements
You must be prepared to play all of the specified requirements when auditioning. Please understand that the audition committee may choose to omit some items during the actual audition.
For a description of the ensembles click here.
Symphonic Winds
Youth Symphony
Youth Philharmonic
Questions?
Any questions pertaining to the auditions should be directed to Sarasota Orchestra's Education Office.
Phone: 941-487-2732
Email: [email protected]
Percussion
Percussion Audition Requirements
You must be prepared to play all of the specified requirements when auditioning. Please understand that the audition committee may choose to omit some items during the actual audition.
For a description of the ensembles click here.
Symphonic Winds
ALL percussionists are encouraged to perform all excerpts (snare, xylophone, and timpani)
Youth Symphony
Youth Philharmonic
Questions?
Any questions pertaining to the auditions should be directed to Sarasota Orchestra's Education Office.
Phone: 941-487-2732
Email: [email protected]
Requirements
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.
Scholarships
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
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, $365 for the first child, $182.50 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).
Playing with Promise
Whether striving to be a professional musician or fostering a lifelong love of music, students through the Sarasota Youth Orchestras realize and advance their vision. Participants stay in each ensemble for an average of two years. They master the skills and techniques of musical playing in addition to developing self motivation, leadership and personal growth. All ensembles are coached by members of the Sarasota Orchestra and the String Ensembles may also participate in a musicianship class to develop inner rhythm and style.
More from Sarasota Youth Orchestras
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Sarasota Orchestra is able to provide world-class learning opportunities for young people in the region thanks to the generous support of donors like you!
Make your gift today to ensure that these outstanding programs are available for generations to come.
