Greater Miami Youth Symphony Auditions

Entry to the Greater Miami Youth Symphony is by auditions – held every year. All students between the ages of 5 and 18 can audition with the following instruments: bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute/piccolo, French Horn, oboe/English horn, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, harp, piano, drums, percussion, saxophones (alto, tenor and baritone), euphonium, jazz guitar and string bass (electric and upright).

Miami Dade College Kendall Campus ENSEMBLES Auditions

Audition dates are: August 24th & 25th
Auditions are by the first letter of student’s last name:

A-F 1:00PM
G-K 2:00PM
L-P 3:00PM
Q-Z 4:00PM

ALL new members for placement and returning members for move-up placement must audition.

ALL AUDITIONS WILL TAKE PLACE AT MIAMI DADE COLLEGE KENDALL CAMPUS IN THE HERNANDEZ BUILDING #8

Main Ensembles Requiring Auditions

Young Mozarts Orchestra

This is our beginner orchestra for string players.

String Orchestra

Our intermediate I orchestra for string players who have progressed beyond our Young Mozarts Orchestra.

Young Sousas Band

Our beginner band ensemble includes brass and wind players.

Concert Orchestra

Our intermediate II orchestra is for string players who have graduated past our Young Mozarts and String Orchestra Programs, and brass and wind players who have graduated from Young Sousas.

Concert Band

This is our intermediate band ensembles for Brass and wind players who have progressed beyond our Young Sousas program. Our Concert Band members also participate in a full orchestra ensemble as members of our Concert Orchestra.

Junior and Varsity Jazz Band

These are our intermediate and advanced Jazz bands. Audition music is based on the concert band music requirements.

Symphony Orchestra

This is our advanced, flagship orchestra encompassing string, brass and wind players. Members of our Symphony Orchestra have auditioned and been accepted. They play at the highest level of all our ensembles

Symphony Orchestra seating auditions and move-up auditions will be by appointment only. Please email info@gmys.org, or call 305-667-4069 to schedule your appointment once the dates are posted.

Audition Requirements

Young Mozarts Orchestra

Violin: 2 octave G-major scale, D-major scale and A-major one octave scale (starting on open a). A piece from Suzuki Book 1 from Bach minuets on, or equivalent in difficulty.

Viola and Cello: 2 octave C-major scale. A piece from Suzuki Book 1 from Bach minuets on, or equivalent in difficulty.

Bass: D & G one octave scales. 1 prepared piece.

Young Sousas Band

B-flat concert scale and F concert scale, 1 octave.
1 prepared piece, more than 8 measures long.
Students will be asked to sight-read

String Orchestra

Violin, Viola, Cello: 2 Octave scales
A-Major, G-Major, C-Major, Bb-Major, and one octave F-Major

Bass: 1 Octave scales
A-Major, G-Major, C-Major, D-Major, Bb-Major, and F-Major

1st Violin: Book 3 Suzuki

2nd Violin: 1 Piece from middle of Suzuki book 2 or equivalent

Viola, Cello and Bass: 1 Piece from middle of Suzuki book 2 to book 3

Concert Orchestra

Violins: A short solo piece demonstrating mastery of instrument such as a piece at or above the Suzuki Book 4 level. Any 2 octave major or minor scale, 3 octave scales (at least 2)- G-major, A-major, C-major, and D-major

Viola: A short solo piece demonstrating mastery of instrument such as a piece at or above the Suzuki Book 4 level. Any 2 octave major or minor scale, 3 octave scales (at least 2)- C-major, D-major, F-major, G-major

Cello: A short solo piece demonstrating mastery of instrument such as a piece at or above the Suzuki Book 4 level. Any 2 octave major or minor scale, 3 octave scales (at least 2)- C-major, D-major, F-major, G-major

Double Bass: A short solo piece demonstrating mastery of instrument such as an etude or piece at or above the Sturm 110 Studies level. Any 1 octave major or minor scale, 2 octave scales (at least 1)- F-major, E-major, G-major

Concert Band / Junior/Varsity Jazz Band

Winds, Brass, Percussion: 2 contrasting pieces, one 2 octave chromatic scale, one 2 octave B flat major scale or F-major scale

Concert Band students will also perform in full orchestra with the Concert Orchestra.

Students may be asked to sight-read.

GMYS Concert Orchestra/Band students who want to audition to move-up to the Symphony Orchestra must audition on the Symphony audition music listed below (percussionists will also play the All-State audition requirements). Please email Michelle Sanchez if you need the excerpts. Students must also prepare the scale requirements for Symphony below.

Symphony Orchestra

August 10 & 11: Audition Clinics from 10-12

Please click here to sign up for Audition Clinics

August 17: Wind Auditions and Move up auditions (by appointment only)

August 24 & 25: Symphony Orchestra String Seating & Move Up auditions

Email Michelle Sanchez to make an audition appointment.

All returning Symphony Orchestra students and move-up auditions must audition for placement in the Symphony Orchestra. The audition piece for this year can be downloaded below. Percussionists will also be asked to play the All-State Orchestra requirements. Students must also prepare the scale requirements listed below:

Violin, Viola, Cello:
Scales – All major and minor scales, 3 or 4 octaves where possible.
Sight Reading – students will be asked to sight read a short orchestral excerpt.
All returning 1st violin students will prepare first violin part.
All returning 2nd violin students will prepare 2nd violin part.

Bass:
Scales – All major and minor two octave scales.
Sight Reading – students will be asked to sight read a short orchestral excerpt

Winds, Brass, and Percussion:
Scales – All major and minor scales, 2 or 3 octaves where possible. One chromatic scale covering the range of instrument.
All winds, percussion, and harp and will prepare all the entire piece.
Percussionists and harpist should prepare to play All State Audition Excerpts.