Auditions

The Mid-Columbia Youth Orchestra (MCYO) has open auditions throughout the season.  Please note the cutoff date for each term:

  • First Term: Thursday October 10, 2025
  • Second Term: Thursday January 23, 2026
  • Third Term: Thursday May 1, 2026

For your audition, you will attend a rehearsal, which will count as the sight reading portion. 

Please fill out an application (see bottom of page) and send it in.  The Parent Chair will email your audition time to you.

Email our Parent Chair at parentchair@midcolumbiasymphony.org if you have any questions.

There is no MCYO during the summer months. 

Audition Information

*No Piano Accompaniment Needed*
Youth Symphony Audition Information:  Ages 12+

Be Prepared To:

Strings, Winds, Brass, Piano, Harp

  1. Play a short sight-reading excerpt (click here)
  2. Play a solo of your choosing, no more than 2 minutes
  3. Play 3 major or minor scales (3-4 octaves)
  • Strings: play at least 1 scale with a minimum of 3 flats,
  • Woodwinds & Brass: play at least 1 scale with a minimum of 3 sharps

 

Percussion

  1. Prepare a short excerpt for all of the following instruments: timpani, snare and mallet.  You may use the provided excerpts on the MCS website if needed.
  2. Youth Symphony Excerpt – Required, (click here).
 
Cadet Strings  & Philharmonic Audition Information:  Most Ages

Be Prepared To:

Strings, Winds, Brass, Piano, Harp

  1. Play a solo of your choosing, no more than 2 minutes.
  2. Play 3 one-octave major scales of your choosing.
  3. Play a short sight-reading excerpt, provided at the audition.

 

 

Percussion

Prepare a short excerpt for one or more of the following instruments: timpani, snare or mallet.  You may request the Youth Symphony Excerpt if you do not have one prepared..

For additional questions, please contact Christine McKinnon at parentchair@midcolumbiasymphony.org

Audition Form

Audition Form

Musician's Information

Which trimesters are you applying for? Click all that apply.
Are you a first time MCYO member?
T-Shirt Size
Do you participate in a school ensemble? If "no", you will need to fill out a form at auditions.
Floutists: Do you also play Piccolo?
Oboists: Do you also play English Horn?

Parent Information

Maximum file size: 52.43MB

Start Over

mid-symphony-players4

Apprentice Program

The Mid-Columbia Youth Orchestra (MCYO) Apprentice Program provides additional opportunities for students with extraordinary abilities and dedication within the MCYO organization. Students who are eligible and are accepted after the audition process will hold regular seats in the Mid-Columbia Symphony concert season, for as many concerts as their schedule allows with a minimum of two concerts. The students will have to submit an audition and must be approved by both the MCYO Director and the MCS Director. The Apprenticeship document is a version of the MCS Seated Musicians contract.