WYO Audition Requirements
The audition requirements for WYO are listed below. To schedule an audition, please complete the New Member Audition Form online under the Audition tab on the website, and our Executive Director will reach out to you. Current WYO members should submit the Placement Audition Request which will be held on August 23, 2025.
All auditions, both new members and current member placement auditons will be held on August 23, 2025. Location will be at the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. Please request a makeup with the Executive Director if this date does not work with your schedule.
WYO is currently accepting audition requests for the 2025-2026 season.
If you have any questions, please email the "Executive Director" under the "Contact Us" tab.
Symphony Orchestra (WYOSO):
Requirements:
Scales:
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Strings (violins/viola/cellos): Please prepare 2 scales of your choice spanning 3 octaves. We strongly encourage you to choose challenging scales that demonstrate your proficiency. Scales must be memorized.
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Strings (bass only): Please prepare 2 scales of your choice spanning 2 octaves. We strongly encourage you to choose challenging scales that demonstrate your proficiency. Scales must be memorized.
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Brass & Winds: Please prepare 2 octaves of scales of your choice. Similar to strings, we encourage selecting challenging scales to showcase your proficiency. Scales must be memorized.
Prepared Solo Pieces:
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Students should prepare one 2-3 minute excerpt of their choice showing technical and musical abilities. The excerpt may include pieces from a standard concerto, sonata, etude, or other technical works. Memorization is not required.
No sightreading .
Wind Ensemble(WYOWE):
Requirements:
Scales: Students All students will be asked for two major scales. Minimum tempo is 88bpm. Students should play as many octaves as they are able but always prioritize tone and accuracy over speed and range! Scales will be called in Concert Pitch.
ALL SCALES MUST BE MEMORIZED.
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Bb, Eb, F, Ab, C, D, G
Scale Pattern:
Percussion:
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Students will play the scales on the xylophone. Please use the full range of the instrument if possible.
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Students will be asked to play a double stroke roll OPEN-CLOSED and one rudiment. The rudiment will be chosen at random from the following: Flam, Flam-Taps, Flam Accent, Flamacue, Lesson 25, Flam Paradiddle, Paradiddle, Single Ratamacue, Triple Ratamacue, Drag, Single Drag Tap
Prepared Pieces: All students will perform the prepared selection. Tempo marking is 110-120bpm. Remember that notes and rhythms are a minimum and as musicians we should always be thinking of phrasing and dynamic expression. Prepared etude does not need to be memorized.
Percussion will perform on Xylophone and Snare Drum.
Excerpt: Click to access.
Wind and Brass
Percussion
Sightreading:All students will sight-read for the audition. Students will have 30 seconds to look over the 8-measure example WITHOUT playing their instrument. Students may sing, tizzle, airband, finger, count out loud, etc. After 30 seconds, the student will count themselves in at whatever tempo they feel most comfortable for sight-reading.
Percussion will sight-read on Xylophone and Snare Drum.
