BSYO Audition Excerpts & Application

Auditions

BSYO Applications for the 26-27 Season are due on Sunday, May 31st 2026 at 11:59 PM.

To ensure that all students are placed in the ensemble that best suits their current level of proficiency, we divide the audition excerpts into three lists— List A, List B, and List C. Each list increases in difficulty, with List C featuring the least challenging excerpts and List A featuring the most advanced.

Students are encouraged to consult with their private teacher and band/orchestra director to determine which list of excerpts aligns with their current skill level. Choosing the right list will help you showcase your abilities most effectively during the audition.

Placements will be based on audition list as well as age, to ensure that each student is placed into a musically and socially appropriate ensemble that will provide the best possible orchestral experience.

A complete audition consists of a single list of excerpts, and a solo piece of your choice lasting 2–5 minutes. To ensure your audition is complete, you must provide a YouTube link to your recording in the audition form and pay the $65 audition fee (this payment link will automatically pop up after you submit your audition form).

Everyone who submits a BSYO audition for the 26-27 Season will hear from us by the beginning of July 2026.

A complete audition consists of a single list of excerpts (List A, List B, or List C) and a solo piece of your choice, lasting 2–5 minutes. To ensure your audition is complete, you must provide a YouTube link to your recording in the audition form below by 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 31st and pay the $65 audition fee (the payment link will automatically pop up after you submit your audition form). Everyone who submits an audition will hear from us by the beginning of July 2026.

Carefully review the BSYO Audition Information available on our website and make sure you have selected the correct excerpt list for your level of playing

Practice your audition music and prepare it with your private or school teacher, give yourself plenty of time and chance to record and submit your video through the BSYO application form before the due date of Sunday, May 31st at 11:59 PM.

Recording Procedure

Your video must be ONE TAKE – It should be continuous, as though you were in a live audition. You can record as many auditions as you like but submit only one that is complete without edits and is one take
Introduce yourself - Begin by speaking your name, instrument, which list of excerpts you will be playing (List A, List B, or List C), and what grade you will be entering in the fall of 2026
Recording order - Start with the excerpts in their printed order, then play your solo. You may pause, breathe, and perform brief instrument maintenance between excerpts, but there should not be cuts, breaks, or splices in the recording
- Please note that there are generally no metronome markings provided on the excerpt lists. You should play each excerpt at a musically appropriate tempo, which can be identified by listening to the excerpt in context of the piece, or consulting with a private teacher, school music teacher, etc. The most recent tempo marking is provided.
- After the excerpts, proceed with your solo. About 2-5 minutes, WITHOUT accompaniment
Do not edit or enhance the recording using video/sound editing software

Recording Guidelines

Choose a well-lit and quiet room to set up a phone, laptop webcam or good quality camera on a tripod or stand
- If using a phone or tablet, please use the rear camera in a landscape
  (horizontal) setup
- If possible, connect a good quality external microphone
Set up your stand (and chair if necessary) in view of the camera
Record and review a test video – make sure at least your full upper half is in the
frame, and that we can see your face and hands on the instrument.
- If using a music stand, make sure it does not block the view.
- Make sure the sound quality is as clear as possible and not overly loud or soft.
- Move the microphone or turn down/up the gain as needed.

Submitting your Recording

Upload your video recording to YouTube.
Video files submitted in other formats will not be accepted.
- Instructions on how to upload to YouTube can be found HERE
- During upload, select the “Unlisted” privacy option. This allows you to still share the video link with us without making the video viewable to the public
- Instructions on how to upload an Unlisted video can be found HERE
Make sure your video plays and is not distorted. As a title put your name, instrument, the list you are playing (List A, List B, or List C). In the subject line/description of the YouTube video, put the title/composer of your solo selection.

All students must submit a $65 application fee with their materials by 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 31st. If financial assistance is needed for the application fee, please reach out to education@bsomusic.org.

At BSYO, we believe every student should have the opportunity to grow, regardless of age or ensemble placement. Traditionally, excerpt selections were tied to grade levels and specific ensembles, but we understand that each student develops at their own pace and may be ready for challenges that go beyond the standard expectations.

To support this, we have three distinct excerpt lists, offering students the flexibility to audition based on their current skill level rather than being restricted by age or previous ensemble placement. This approach allows musicians to choose the list that best reflects their abilities, fostering stronger, more meaningful performances.

Our goal is to ensure that every student is placed in the ensemble where they can thrive and continue to grow. Whether you opt for a more challenging list or one that aligns more closely with your current skill level, we are confident this new process will provide opportunities for each student to be challenged, inspired, and supported on their musical journey.

At BSYO, we believe there’s a place for every student to excel, and with this new method, we hope to place you in the environment where you will flourish the most.

Important Notes

Any student may be placed into any ensemble, regardless of which excerpt list they choose. The audition is designed to assess the individual’s musicality, technical skills, and potential for growth. Age is taken into consideration so that students are also placed into an ensemble that is socially and pedagogically appropriate.
Please choose your excerpt list carefully with input from your teacher to reflect your current abilities. The goal is for you to showcase your best performance, so selecting an appropriate list is key!
While we provide guidelines for which ensemble each aligns with, these are general and students may be placed in any ensemble. Students should choose a list based on their comfort level and expertise.
Please choose excerpts from only one list.
- Please note that there are generally no metronome markings provided on the excerpt lists. You should play each excerpt at a musically appropriate tempo, which can be identified by listening to the excerpt in context of the piece, or consulting with a private teacher, school music teacher, etc. The most recent tempo marking is provided.
We want to put you into an ensemble that sets you up to be the most successful.

All students, even if they are currently in a BSYO ensemble, must re-audition each year.

APPLICATION

All current and students new to the program should complete the audition application below. Applications are due Sunday, May 31st at 11:59 PM.
Please review the 2026 BSYO Video Audition Instructions before recording!

Fill out my online form.

Contact

Questions about BSYO? Email education@bsomusic.org.