Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra
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Audition for the 2020-2021 Season

STRINGS - WOODWINDS - BRASS - PERCUSSION - HARP
Year-round auditions are available by appointment for admittance into all PYCO ensembles.
Students wishing to audition must submit their audition application and a $25 application fee.

Audition Requirements

After reviewing the audition requirements for your instrument below, we invite you to fill out an application! Once we receive a completed application, you will be contacted to schedule an audition. 

Please note, grades are listed as general guidelines only. Placement is at the sole discretion of ensemble directors.

STRINGS

PYCO Orchestra Strings (grades 9-12)
  • 2 or 3 octave Scales (up to 4 sharps & 4 flats)
  • Any solo of your choice from the standard repertoire (concerto, sonata, étude or orchestral excerpt) demonstrating technical and musical abilities
  • Sight reading (provided at the audition)​
Chamber Strings (grades 6-9)
  • 2 scales in one or two octaves that display student's best abilities. It is recommended that students choose scales that include shifting and extended fingers. 
  • 1 solo piece or étude that displays student's best abilities 
  • Sight reading may be required at the audition.​
​Junior Strings (grades 4-7)
  • 2 scales in one or two octaves that display student's best abilities
  • 1 solo piece or étude that displays student's best abilities 
  • Sight reading may be required at the audition.​​

WOODWINDS

PYCO Orchestra Woodwinds & Chamber Woodwinds (grades 8-12)
  • 2 prepared contrasting pieces
  • ​All major scales up to and including 4 sharps and 4 flats
  • Sight reading (provided at the audition)​
Junior Wind Ensemble Woodwinds ​(grades 6-8)
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone
  • 1 prepared fast solo or song
  • 1 prepared slow solo or song
  • 2 scales

BRASS

PYCO Orchestra Brass & Chamber Brass (grades 8-12)
  • 2 prepared contrasting pieces
  • Sight reading (provided at the audition)​
Junior Wind Ensemble Brass ​(grades 6-8)
Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium/Baritone, Tuba
  • 1 prepared fast solo or song
  • 1 prepared slow solo or song
  • 2 scales

PERCUSSION

PYCO Orchestra Percussion (grades 9-12)
  • Prepare a snare, mallet and timpani solo of your choice from the standard repertoire, demonstrating technical and musical abilities
  • Sight reading (provided at the audition)​
Junior Wind Ensemble Percussion ​(grades 6-8)
  • 1 or 2 prepared solos on Snare Drum and/or Xylophone/Bells (ideally, 1 solo for each instrument)
  • Demonstrate basic rudiments, i.e. rolls, flams
  • 1 or 2 scales on xylophone 
  • Possible sight reading
  • Optional: a short piano piece, if the student plays piano​

HARP

Harp (grades 9-12)
  • Any solo of your choice from the standard repertoire (concerto, sonata, étude or orchestral excerpt) demonstrating technical and musical abilities
  • Sight reading (provided at the audition)​

Click here to go to the application page.

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The Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.