Milwaukee, Wisconsin--Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra is currently taking appointments for auditions for 2013-14, its 59th season. Auditions will be held
Wednesday, April 2 through Sunday, April 6, 2014, and will take place at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut Street, Milwaukee.
Young musicians interested in auditioning must call the MYSO office for an appointment at
414-267-2912 between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, weekdays.
MYSO is open to string players ages 8-18 and to woodwind, brass and percussion players who will be in grades 6-12 next school year. Students at all levels of experience and ability are welcome and encouraged to audition. Advanced players are especially encouraged to audition.
Of particular interest in the upcoming season is the summer 2015 Senior Symphony tour to Vienna and Budapest as well as the creation of an additional full symphony orchestra to accommodate MYSO's growth in the last decade.
For the audition, students will be asked to prepare a solo or etude, three to four minutes in length, preferably with contrasting tempos. It need not be memorized, and there is to be no piano accompaniment. The audition will also consist of sightreading from the judge's material and, depending on the student's experience and ability, major and/or minor scales.
Most groups rehearse one time per week during the school year (schedule below). The MYSO season begins in September and continues through May.
Senior Symphony - Monday evenings
Chamber Orchestra - Wednesday afternoons
NEW! Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra - Monday evenings
Philharmonia - weeknight to be announced
Junior Wind Ensemble - Thursday evenings
Sinfonia - Thursday afternoons
String Orchestra-North - Monday evenings
String Orchestra-South - Monday evenings
String Orchestra-Central - Monday evenings
String Orchestra-West - Monday evenings
Prelude Orchestra - Monday afternoons
Chamber Flute Ensemble - Monday afternoons
Flute Chorale - Monday evenings
Calypso Steel Band - Thursday evenings
Soca Steel Band - Thursday afternoons
Progressions - Various times each week
Jazz Studies - Various times each week
Other opportunities include master classes, the Davidson Chamber Ensemble Program, recitals, clinics, composition opportunities through the John Downey Creation Project, concerto competitions and community engagement concerts. Musicians in MYSO are expected to participate in their school music programs, playing the same instrument they play in MYSO.
There is no cost to audition. Financial assistance (based on demonstrated need) is available to help with MYSO membership fees.
