AUDITIONS

2025–26 Season Auditions

Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14, 2025
Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
Macalester College
130 S Macalester St
St. Paul, MN 55105

Scheduling

After registering for an audition, you will receive a confirmation email reserving your spot. Your specific audition date and time will be assigned in early May.

Students unavailable on the above audition dates should still register; we will contact you to schedule an alternate June auditIon date. Note: Returning MYS students are expected to complete their audition by the end of June to be considered for placement for the 2025–26 Season. Auditions after June are only permitted in special circumstances (such as family or medical emergency) and require approval from the Artistic Director and Executive Director. New for 2025: New students auditioning for Wind or String Orchestra may opt to audition by video recording.

MYS Auditions Components

MYS holds in-person auditions where students demonstrate the following skills:

  1. Solo

  2. Scales

  3. Excerpt

  4. Sightreading

Note: New students auditioning for Wind or String Orchestra may opt to audition by video recording; the components will differ slightly from above and additional instructions will be emailed to eligible students who register for a recorded audition.

Audition Process

All students audition or re-audition in the summer before the start of the new season.

MYS instructors take students’ placement in ensembles very seriously. Through the audition process, instructors use various metrics to measure the current level of ability and room for growth in every student. Placement in ensembles is made with the students’ best interests in mind, so that each student faces appropriate challenges while being given room to improve and grow as a musician.

Prior participation in an ensemble does not guarantee placement. Auditions are closed to the public, family members, and teachers.

Audition policies are subject to revision at the discretion of Minnesota Youth Symphonies. For more details, please refer to the Audition Policies section of the Student Handbook.

  • "I drive an hour and a half to get to MYS. I do it because playing at this level and in this atmosphere is valuable. The opportunity to play with an orchestra of such a high caliber makes the long drive worth it."

    Leila, oboe

  • "I feel welcome in MYS. My experience so far has already been life changing, and I hope to continue that even further!"

    James, trombone

  • "Since joining MYS, I have realized that music is my passion and I want to continue studying it for the next four years and play for the rest of my life!”

    Jack, trumpet

  • “My favorite thing is the group of friends that I have made over the years and the lifelong connections that have formed out of playing in this really tight-knit group of people.”

    Rio, violin

  • "I would recommend MYS because the atmosphere is fun, friendly, and educational. You’ll get to meet peers that aspire to the same goals as you, you get to work with fantastic conductors, and you get to expand your musical library."

    Anna, violin

Why join MYS? 

For over 50 years, MYS has educated and inspired some of the most talented young musicians in Minnesota. MYS has established a reputation as one of the premier youth orchestra programs in the nation. MYS students have access to a broad range of learning experiences that serve them for years to come. We provide tools for students to grow musically, socially, and become leaders.

Our program includes three full orchestras, a string orchestra, and a wind orchestra.

Learn more about our orchestras.

What does MYS provide?

  • Sectionals and full rehearsals

  • Music education classes

  • Orchestra retreats

  • Three major concerts per season

  • A well-rounded musical education

  • A lifelong appreciation of music