Audition Requirements
Youth Orchestra Strings
- Scales, both major and melodic minor: 2 or 3 octaves, up to 4 sharps and 4 flats with accurate intonation
- Prepared Solo: Student's choice (2 minutes) at Suzuki Book 4 or higher level
- Sight reading: Short orchestral excerpt
Youth Orchestra Winds and Brass
- Scales, both major and melodic minor: 2 octaves, up to 3 sharps and 3 flats, accurate intonation
- Prepared Solo: Student's choice (2 minutes)
- Sight reading: Short orchestral excerpt
Youth Orchestra Percussion
- Show competency on snare drum, timpani, and xylophone.
Cadet Strings
- Major Scales: 2 octaves, up to 2 sharps and 2 flats with accurate intonation
- Prepared Solo: Student's choice (2 minutes) at Suzuki Book 2 or equivalent level
- Sight reading: Short orchestral excerpt.
Auditioning
The West Valley Youth Orchestra supports our public and private schools' music programs. Therefore, it is expected that each student who auditions for the West Valley Youth Orchestra be a member in good standing of the orchestra in the school they attend, if it has one.
The West Valley Youth Orchestra also welcomes homeschoolers.
Auditions are conducted in the fall. At the discretion of the conductor, auditions may also be conducted during the school year.
Partial tuition scholarships are available (based on financial need). For further information, contact the orchestra manager.
2020-2021 Season
Rehearsals and auditions will be held at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 918 S Litchfield Rd, Goodyear, AZ 85338.
Auditions are on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Audition fee is $20 through Aug. 19, after Aug. 19, audition fee is $30. Please apply by Aug. 26 so auditions may be scheduled. Auditions will be held in person but we will do auditions on Zoom for those that request it.
For the first semester, the Youth Orchestra will be strings only. We plan to add winds, brass and percussion for the second semester.
First rehearsal is on Sept. 14.
Safety precautions: Hand Sanitizer will be available. Students will be required to wear masks, and each student will use their own music stand so students can be appropriately social distanced.
Concerts for first semester: we plan to have an outdoor concert in early Nov. and a Christmas concert that will be live-streamed on Facebook Live.
Tuition costs remain the same, but returning members who paid full tuition last year will receive a discount to compensate for having to end early last year: $90 discount for Youth Orchestra, $70 discount for Cadets.
Audition Timeline 2020-2021
Application Deadline:
Please apply by August 26, 2020 so an audition time can be scheduled.
Audition Dates:
August 31 and September 1, 2020
Auditions will be held in person but we will do auditions on Zoom for those that request it.
Start Date:
September 14, 2020
Finish Date:
May 17, 2021
Orchestra Application
Applying online for an audition is a 2-step process.
- Fill out the application below
- Pay applicable fees
Orchestra Fees (All fees are Non Refundable):
Early Audition Fee (Due with Application):
$20 (Audition fee after August 19: $30)
Membership Fee:
Youth Orchestra - $370
Cadet Strings - $275
(Includes T-shirt)
Tuition costs remain the same, but returning members who paid full tuition last season will receive a discount to compensate for having to end early last year. $90 discount for Youth Orchestra, $70 discount for Cadets.
Installment Payments:
Four payments of $96.50 for WVYO and $71.50 for Cadets can be made in August, September, October and November.
You can pay fees by mailing a check to The West Valley Youth Orchestra, Box 206, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340, or by using a debit or credit card below.