Youth Orchestra Program Audition Sign Ups

For fall mid-season auditions, all auditions will take place virtually.

For spring auditions, students will receive their audition time via email no later than one week after they register.

Students will record and submit their mid-season auditions using a platform called Younison. Stay tuned for more details soon on how to complete your virtual audition.

Our youth orchestra ensembles are separated by skill level, not by age or grade, following the order below:

• String Sinfonietta (no audition required)
• Camerata Strings
• Youth Concert Orchestra (YCO): rising 5th grade or higher
• Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO): rising 7th grade or higher

Students wishing to audition for Percussion Ensemble will audition with director Dr. Justin Alexander.

Please note that YCO and RSYO require age minimums, as detailed above.

Each ensemble requires different audition guidelines, which can be found under each ensemble’s page. We recommend that you review these guidelines with their school music teacher or private instructor in order to select the appropriate level.

String Sinfonietta, our entry level ensemble, does not require an audition.

Any additional questions about recommended ensemble levels can be directed to the YOP team at education@richmondsymphony.com.

Students should come ready to perform scales and two prepared selections. Sight-reading will not be required at fall 2026 mid-season auditions. Refer to each ensemble's guidelines for specific instructions on what should be prepared.

YOP auditions are not blind. Judges will be able to see the student throughout the audition and may ask questions and review selections during your audition.

We encourage students to dress in whatever way feels comfortable and allows adequate movement so they can play their instrument well.

We do not require Suzuki specific repertoire, but we do recommend students use the following Suzuki book levels as guidelines for their prepared selections:

• Camerata Strings: Suzuki Book levels 2–4
• Youth Concert Orchestra (YCO): Suzuki book levels 4–5+
• Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO): Suzuki book levels 6+

For YCO and RSYO, please visit each ensemble’s guidelines for further suggested instrument-specific repertoire to help guide your selections.

We do not require students to participate in regional auditions outside of the youth orchestra program, but we do recommend students use the following guidelines for their prepared selections:

• YCO: SRO audition etudes
• RSYO: All-Virginia audition etudes

For YCO and RSYO woodwind and brass auditions, please visit each ensemble’s guidelines for further suggested instrument-specific repertoire to help guide your selections.

For percussion auditions, please contact Dr. Justin Alexander, Percussion Ensemble director (jlalexander@vcu.edu) for specific repertoire questions.