Auditions & Requirements

Time Commitment
Rehearsals on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Rehearsal days will include a mixture of full orchestra rehearsal and sectionals led by PYO teaching artists.

Scale Requirements
• Quarter Note = 120

Strings
• Bowing/Articulation = two notes slurred, two staccato ascending; four notes slurred descending
Violin – G Major (3-Octave) and A Melodic Minor (3-Octave)
Viola – C Major (3-Octave) and D Melodic Minor (3-Octave)
Cello – C Major (3-Octave) and D Melodic Minor (3-Octave)
Bass – F Major (2-Octave) and E Melodic Minor (2-Octave)

Woodwinds
Flute: B-Flat Major (2-Octave) and Chromatic Scale (2 to 3 octaves, showing your full range)
Oboe: C Major (2-Octave) and Chromatic Scale (2 octaves, starting on C)
Clarinet: Written D Major (Concert C Major) (2-Octave) and Chromatic scale (2 to 3 octaves, showing your full range)
Bassoon: F Major (2-Octave) and Chromatic scale (2 to 3 octaves, showing your full range)

Brass
Horn:  Written G Major (Concert C Major) (2-Octave) and Chromatic scale (2 to 3 octaves, showing your full range)
Trumpet: Written G Major (Concert F Major) (2-Octave) and Chromatic scale (2 to 3 octaves, showing your full range)
Trombone: F Major (2-Octave) and Chromatic scale (2 to 3 octaves, showing your full range)
Tuba: B-flat Major (2-Octave) and Chromatic scale (2 to 3 octaves, showing your full range)

Percussion
All percussionists will audition on both:
Snare: Single Stroke Roll, Buzz Roll, Drag Tap; One solo of your choice
Mallets: Bb Major Scale (2 octaves), Chromatic scale (2 octaves, starting on C); mallet solo of your choice

Prepared Etude
One solo piece/etude (or 2 – 3 minute excerpt) that displays your best abilities from repertoire at the intermediate level or above.

Audition Times

In-person and virtual auditions are being scheduled now. Use the button below to schedule your audition.


Rehearsal Information:

Rehearsals on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Gildersleeve Middle School, 1 Minton Dr., Newport News, VA

Questions?

Reach out to the Program Director at rramirez@soundscapeshr.org or by calling 757-992-1496


Tuition

Soundscapes believes high-quality music programs should be accessible to everyone. Our tuition is on a sliding scale based on your family’s annual income and household size. Use the calculator below to estimate your annual PYO tuition rate. We understand that every situation is different; please let us know if any circumstances might make tuition unaffordable.

Symphony Orchestra Annual Tuition Rates
Income Eligibility PercentageAnnual Tuition
400%+$660
300% – 399%$440
181% – 299%$220
0% – 180%$0

Estimate Your PYO Tuition

This estimate uses the 2026 federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and DC. Please contact Soundscapes if special circumstances might make tuition unaffordable.