.png)
Audition Overview
START HERE
Upcoming Auditions
FUTURE AUDITION DATES
-
Sunday, January 10, 2027 (All Ensembles)
-
Sunday, May 2, 2027 (All Ensembles)
-
Rolling Enrollment for NOTES Strings & NOTES Winds/Brass
We offer a few different ways for student musicians and their families to get to know NVYS!
Our Bring-a-Buddy to Rehearsal days WELCOMES new student musicians during a rehearsal to experience our music education programs - seats are limited and registration is required. Our next Bring-a-Buddy Day is Sunday, October 25th - REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE.
Want to learn more and receive helpful tips to prepare your upcoming Audition? Sign up HERE for our Audition Workshop and take advantage of prep tips from our Conductors !
Our current audition date(s) are open to fill our Ensemble Rosters for the 2026/2027 Season (August 2026 through May 2027). Auditions are open to all young musicians, ages 8-20, with at least 2 years of public or private music instruction.
Please consult with your private teacher or school music teacher for advice on choosing the appropriate scales and solo piece, or feel free to contact us 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 Directors and Conductors.
Audition Requirements
With the exception of Notes Level 1 and 2, 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
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS BY ENSEMBLE
Learn more about specific ensemble requirements.