About Auditions

 

Upcoming Audition date(s) 

  • Sunday, May 17th, 2026
  • Sunday, August 16, 2026
  • Sunday, August 23, 2026
  • Sunday, September 13, 2026
  • Sunday, December 6, 2026

The audition date(s) above have been scheduled to fill our Ensemble Rosters for the 2026/2027 Season (August 2026 through May 2026).

 

We are currently welcoming: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute/Piccolo, Clarinet, Oboe/English Horn, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Percussion. 

  • Auditions are open to all young musicians, ages 8-18, with at least 2 years of public or private music instruction. 
  • Auditions will last about 10 minutes and will consist of scales, a solo piece of your choice, and sight-reading. Students should prepare scales and a solo piece that demonstrate the level at which they are currently playing.
  • Please consult with your private teacher or school music teacher for advice on choosing the appropriate scales and solo piece, or feel free to reach out to us HERE with questions.
  • Based on their audition, students will be placed into the appropriate-level ensemble (NOTES, Sinfonia, Bridge, or Youth Symphony) at the discretion of NVYS music staff. 

 

Audition requirements overview

With the exception of Notes Level 1, all levels of the Napa Valley Youth Symphony ensembles require an audition. Auditions are required in order to place students in the appropriate ensemble. Students currently in an ensemble within the Napa Valley Youth Symphony must take an audition if they wish to move up to the next level.

Auditions take approximately 10 minutes and consist of scales, a solo piece, and sight-reading. See below for the specific requirements for each ensemble.  

 

At all levels, audition adjudicators will be evaluating your performance based on the following criteria:

  • Rhythmic accuracy

  • Rhythmic stability (steady tempo)

  • Intonation (playing in-tune with yourself)

  • Tone quality

  • Dynamic contrast

  • Instrument-specific technique

  • Musicality, expression, and phrasing

  • Appropriateness of repertoire for your technical level

  • Ability to recover if you make a mistake

  • Careful preparation of all audition music

REQUEST AN AUDITION

To submit an audition request form CLICK HERE.

 

PREPARE FOR YOUR AUDITION

Want to learn more about how to audition? Watch THIS VIDEO!

 

Audition requirements by ensemble

  1. Notes Program -  Level 1 (No Audition Required) and Level 2 - Audition Required
  2. Sinfonia - Audition Required
  3.  Bridge - Audition Required
  4. Youth Symphony - Audition Required
  5. Youth Strings Chamber Ensemble - Audition Required